Atom-powered MSI Wind PC vs X2 system

J

Jordan1

[H]ard|Gawd
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Nov 1, 2005
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Do many people here have these or other Atom-powered mini-PCs? I would like to get an extra PC to mess around with, maybe play around with Linux, serve as a backup, install & make use of Server 2008, and possibly play some media on my HDTV.

$125 AR - MSI Wind PC Intel 945GC Black Barebone
$70 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB
$21 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB DDR2 667
$25 - SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner SH-S223F
$30 - Logitech EX 110 Black USB + PS/2 Standard Cordless Desktop Keyboard & Mouse
= 271

One thing I don't like is the lack of digital video output. Should I pass on this and just cough up some more dough for a cheap AMD X2 system?
 
What exactly are you looking for in terms of the physical size of the PC?

I recommend just hitting up Delloutlet.com and buying a PC from there. More cost effective and you get a better bang for your buck in terms of hardware.
 
Just something fairly small, quiet, and low power so I can have it run 24x7 if I choose to. D=16.5" x W=14.5" x H=9" is what I have to work with if it ends up by the TV. A Inspiron 530s or Studio Slim looks like it could fit the bill but are a bit more expensive...maybe worth it though.
 
Will you be watching HD content via this small PC?
 
I setup a small Atom 330 system and put it my entertainment system. Its great for HD Netflix, Streaming TV, Hulu etc.... they are really underrated systems. It will never be as fast as an X2 but it can be 1/4 of the power and heat which was the selling point for me.
 
Danny Bui said:
Will you be watching HD content via this small PC?
Click to expand...

And if you want to, you won't be able to do 1080p playback, limited to 720p depending on codec.

VGA to TV doesn't matter; I have mine connected to a Z4100 via VGA (damn BE2 engine).
 
Danny Bui said:
Will you be watching HD content via this small PC?
Click to expand...

Potentially at some point, yes. The current TV is only 720p but I may have hooked up to my 24" 1920x1200 display are some point as well.


ferrisnox said:
I setup a small Atom 330 system and put it my entertainment system. Its great for HD Netflix, Streaming TV, Hulu etc.... they are really underrated systems. It will never be as fast as an X2 but it can be 1/4 of the power and heat which was the selling point for me.
Click to expand...

Hmm, neat. I didn't realize Atom CPU/Motherboard combos were being sold.
The lack of DVI/HDMI output is a turnoff for me, but maybe I'm too picky.

Thanks for the replies.
 
lowteckh said:
And if you want to, you won't be able to do 1080p playback, limited to 720p depending on codec.
Click to expand...

Even 720P is a bit of stretch for the single core Atom CPU in that MSI. The dual-core Atoms should be ok for 720P but they're a bit too low for it 1080P IMO. You're gonna have to spend a bit more for a HD capable HTPC.
 
lowteckh said:
Best option is to go AMD, stick an X2 into a 780G board and done.
Click to expand...

Nah, best option is go AMD, stick an X2 into a Nvidia 8200 mobo and be done with it. The 8200 chipset supports more audio options than the 780G. There is a mITX 8200 mobo available:
$110 - Zotac GF8200-C-E NVIDIA GeForce 8200 ITX Motherboard
 
Danny Bui said:
Nah, best option is go AMD, stick an X2 into a Nvidia 8200 mobo and be done with it. The 8200 chipset supports more audio options than the 780G. There is a mITX 8200 mobo available:
$110 - Zotac GF8200-C-E NVIDIA GeForce 8200 ITX Motherboard
Click to expand...

What danny said.

In terms of video playback the 780g is fine but you are limited to 2ch over HDMI...not cool.
This is where the 8200/8300(amd) and 9200/9300(intel) really shine because they can handle 7.1LPCM over HDMI.....thats cool.

But if you want a 780g board ill sell you one so I can get another 8300 board. :D
 
nitrobass24 said:
In terms of video playback the 780g is fine but you are limited to 2ch over HDMI...not cool.
This is where the 8200/8300(amd) and 9200/9300(intel) really shine because they can handle 7.1LPCM over HDMI.....thats cool.
Click to expand...

Well the Gigabyte 780G mobos have 5.1 audio support unlike other mobo manufacturers. But the 8200 is still a better choice.
 
Danny Bui said:
Well the Gigabyte 780G mobos have 5.1 audio support unlike other mobo manufacturers.
Click to expand...

over optical and analog outputs
not over HDMI....I have one beleive me it doesnt work at least on mine, I was pretty pissed.
 
nitrobass24 said:
over optical and analog outputs
not over HDMI....I have one beleive me it doesnt work at least on mine, I was pretty pissed.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, did not know that. Always thought it could so over HDMI. Well I stand corrected.
 
Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll probably go with a EVGA 113-M2-E113 8200, X2 CPU, and I am eying the Antec Minuet 350 case.
 
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