January 3, 200818 yr This set up works like a charm! Prices quoted are in CDN $ (about the same in US$), and were valid at time of purchase. Notes: I haven't tried the onboard Gigabit LAN yet. The mobo can be added to the compatability list. The fantastic value Celeron 420 CPU ($37): http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD0521&vpn=BX80557420&manufacture=INTEL The CPU is essentially a Core solo, and is a great workhorse for basic tasks. With this eVGA mobo ($60): http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26644&vpn=112-CK-NF75-K1&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1019 The mobo has integrated video, giga LAN (will check if unRAID compatible). I may use the same board for my next HTPC upgrade, as it supports 45 nM quad-core CPUs, has onboard DVI (HDMI in the e7150 version of this board) and is a lot of bang for the buck. I added the following: This RAM ($18 after rebate in late December). OCZ Gold 6400 2x 1GB http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18495&vpn=OCZ2G8002GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology&promoid=1001 A GA-311 PCI gigabit NIC ($10, eBay) http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24753&vpn=GA311NA&manufacture=Netgear Antec Trio True Power 650W ($49 after rebate in late December) http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24126&vpn=TP3-650&manufacture=ANTEC Three of these WD 750 GB drives ($154 each) Western Digital Caviar 750GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.9MS Hard Drive 3 Year MFR Warranty Kingston Data Traveller 1 GB ($7) http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21439&vpn=DTI%2F1GBCR&manufacture=Kingston ThermalTake iCage ($16). Can hold three 3.5" drives in 3 5.25" bays. Big fan keeps them cool (running at max $33 C). I could have crammed more drives in with another bay convertor, but I wanted to keep 'em cool and spaced well. Silicon Image Generic 4-port SATA card (for use with future drives) $16 from Geeks.com. I have the drives already and will be installing them once I upgrade my unRAID basic to the next version up. http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CL-SL3114 Monuel Monasco Case ($59). I love it. As quiet as an Antec Sonata II. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27586&vpn=Moncaso%20DVT%20201%20%28G600%29&manufacture=Moneual Total of about $770 with taxes and shipping, or $270 without the drives! I have 4 more 750 GB drives to install shortly.
January 3, 200818 yr That appears to be DVI and NOT HDMI. Easily converted but it obviously won't be carrying sound. It has SPID/F though so that's fine. It's not clear what Shader version and OpenGL version that 7100 chipset is supporting I'm looking for an HTPC board in mATX to replace the ASUS\8500 I'm already using which will become a desktop system. I've fouond one with HDMI and SPID/F but it's pricey. Tiger has a pic of your board -> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3353977 Board I'm looking at -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237 Probably not something for an unRAId box though as it only has one PCI expansion slot. Sorry for the sidetrack!
January 4, 200818 yr Author That appears to be DVI and NOT HDMI. Easily converted but it obviously won't be carrying sound. It has SPID/F though so that's fine. It's not clear what Shader version and OpenGL version that 7100 chipset is supporting I'm looking for an HTPC board in mATX to replace the ASUS\8500 I'm already using which will become a desktop system. I've fouond one with HDMI and SPID/F but it's pricey. You're absolutely right. I made the error as I was wavering between this board and the e-7150, which does have HDMI. I decided not to go for the extra few $$$ on a connector I probably won't use.. I realised my error within a few minutes of posting yesterday, but didn't think anyone would be reading too carefully. Take a look at the eVGA e-7150; it's a good budget board for an HTPC. I usually do video and sound separately anyway. I may end up buying an AUzentech Prelude and HDMI add-on card if I really must combine lossless HD sound with video.
January 4, 200818 yr Author Board I'm looking at -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237 Probably not something for an unRAId box though as it only has one PCI expansion slot. That board has a few driver issues at the moment, and does a few strange things if you connect HDMI to a receiver before passing on to your screen. There's a huge AVSForum thread on this. There will shortly be a full ATX version of the board which has more slots, as well as a few additional features that will be very useful... such as being able to switch from on board ideo to PCIe video easily, depending on whether you're gaming or HTPC'ing.
January 7, 200818 yr If you could link that AVS thread I'd be very interested in it! Not to go off on too far a tangent but in my case that board would be used with LinuXBMC http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=52 with perhaps some Myth along with it. I've already got this working great with an 8500GT w/HDMI, SPID/F, etc. and full sized ATX board but wish to move to something smaller. This new board would be that in a tiny mATX case (MCE303). The board I'm using now would become my new desktop monster Is SO nice to be able to watch all my HD stuff, poor XBOX1 would puke when attempted previously. Anyway, there's a big thread on hardware for LinuXBMC and what kind of processor is needed in that forum so head there if you're really interested For unRAID I honestly try to find a board with as many (supported) SATA as possible, at least 2x PCI, onboard video, and a CHEAP CPU. My last one has a 3ghz Celeron in it and that fast only because it cost me next to nothing to get the added speed. I think I have $30 worth of RAM in it - 1gig. I spend my money on the case (CoolerMaster) and now on 5in3 SATA cages. Okay I got a decent P/S but made sure this time that it was rated 80+ so it sips electricity. My Kill-a-Watt says it is costing me about $6 a month, cannot bitch about that when it runs 24X7! I did spend a bit for the M/B but for me it was an investment but I completely understand others not spending as much. I cut corners where I can, hopefully the board you picked will rock for cheap, I know at least one person who's waffling on building an unRAID due to hardware. If it's cheap enough I bet he jumps
January 9, 200818 yr Author Here's the thread. A long read but one or two Intel employees take an active part in the discussion.
January 11, 200818 yr Here's the thread. A long read but one or two Intel employees take an active part in the discussion. Thank you!
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