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Batman

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#132169 11-Oct-2013 09:02
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I have modified this i am now looking for the cheapest laptop that has/can/will
- MUST HAVE HDMI AND USB 3 and preferably Intel Haswell
- low power consumption
- plays 1080p no problem
- can multitask on light tasks

for the purposes of home server and play the role of HTPC to connect to my receiver.
I will control it with remote desktop.
I will probably stick in the the biggest hard drive i can find and run windows 7? (8 is like a Vista reborn??)

******************************************************


Hi - essentially i'd like to have a PC OR Laptop that is on 24hrs connected to Wired LAN or WIFI to play music or videos or live TV (HDMI to my receiver). I'd like it to be under 60W or better, under 40W now that there is Haswell.

I think I'd use Windows 7 and control it with remote desktop.

Advantage of a PC is I can use it as a server and install 2-4 3+TB hard drives to backup my photos ...

Advantage of a Laptop is I don't have to build anything! (and probably quite easily achieve low power consumption??)

Now if I were to build a PC, what would you suggest to get the lowest power consumption with what I need?

Thanks

Edit: Budget <$500 for the htpc-server bit (excluding hard drives) otherwise probably more cost efficient for me to get a haswell touch screen laptop during pre Christmas sales (would like it during labour day sales but I don't know if the slow MS laptop builders would have made anything by then)

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russelo
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  #913800 11-Oct-2013 18:47
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I used my old laptop (win7, core2) as my server running 24x7. Connected 3 external hdd totaling to 8TB.

Laptop power consumption (excluding ext hdds) is around 30w. Measured using those cheap electric meters from mitre10.

It runs a number of different services.



Batman

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  #913811 11-Oct-2013 18:53
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I have an old laptop too ... Unfortunately it doesn't havehdmi and it struggles to do2 tasks. Core 2 duo. And it doesn't have hdmi.

But when haswell goes full swingi guess ifi can't get a htpc worth internal drives I might get the laptop variant

Regs
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  #913886 11-Oct-2013 21:40
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i'd take a look at the HP Gen 8 Microserver. 4 Drive bays, low power mode (clocks teh cpu down from 2.5 to 1.6GHz), and seems very quiet when running.






Regs
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  #913887 11-Oct-2013 21:50
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although the power consumption is a little higher with 4xhdd and 8gb ram according to the hp power advisor tool from http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/solutions/power/index.html. assuming this doesnt take the low power mode into consideration though.




daunjan
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  #913890 11-Oct-2013 22:15
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I'm running mini-itx with i3 cpu and 4tb drives only uses 60w approx runs 1080p no probs with Openelec...

Also have dvb-t usb via TVHeadend runs sweet...

Any ques just ask...

Batman

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  #913903 11-Oct-2013 22:48
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Ok .. How do i build a haswell equivalent?

What video drivers?

Any hdmi?

Thanks

Inphinity
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  #913906 11-Oct-2013 22:59
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Intel NUC. <65W even with an i5.

 
 
 

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Shindig
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  #914050 12-Oct-2013 12:17
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And theres an intel NUC which will do just the job, for sale in the offers and wants.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=132168

:-)




The little things make the biggest difference.


Shindig
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  #914052 12-Oct-2013 12:19
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Opps didnt mean double post
:-)




The little things make the biggest difference.


daunjan
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  #914081 12-Oct-2013 13:39
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joker97: Ok .. How do i build a haswell equivalent?

What video drivers?

Any hdmi?

Thanks


Get the best haswell cpu  with graphics built in you can afford ie Intel Core i5-4430 to run Openelec dont need high end gear... Pick a mini-itx Mini-Itx Boards with onboard sound so can channel audio over hdmi and at mleast 3xsata connectors...

Install Openelec Intel as only got intel setup...Openelec is XBMC but streamlined for media...

DVB-t by using Finally an Easy Way to Watch Live TV in XBMC Media Center

Hope that helps...

kiwijunglist
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  #914171 12-Oct-2013 17:35
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The new AMD Kabini Chipset



25W includes both the CPU (A6-5200) + GPU (HD8400)

eg. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ECS-Kabini-KBN-I-5200-Jaguar,23200.html




HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.


Batman

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  #914268 13-Oct-2013 08:41
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re intel nuc

I think the only reason i'd want to go htpc is so I can fit internal hard drives and save hefty blocks and cords for external drives.

If I need to plug external drives I might just get a cheap haswell laptop pre Christmas I think - haven't got endless amounts of cash.

on the same note - I went to ascent to configure a PC with the i5-4xxx ... hmm that could cost like $1000 ... could spend that on a laptop I think

lots of thinking!

KrazyKid
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  #915672 15-Oct-2013 19:23
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If you have some old parts (ie case & Power you can get an Haswell i3 for under $450.
I got this quoted at computer lounge for about $435 and saw it cheaper again at K-tech.
I'm just waiting for 1) some money to save up and 2) a computer Lounge labour weekend Deal and 3) to break it to the wife :)

 

 

 

 

 

Combo: Asrock B85M-PRO4 Intel B85 mATX Haswell LGA1150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combo: Intel Haswell Core i3 4130 3.4GHz 3MB LGA1150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combo: Mushkin Stealth Stiletto 8GB (1x8GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (992069S)

 

 

 


Batman

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  #916893 18-Oct-2013 10:07
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sorry MF but i went pricespy

is this AMD any good in terms of multitasking and low power consumption? it's dirt cheap!


Batman

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  #916895 18-Oct-2013 10:10
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i also have a dell XPS 1645 laptop (1st gen i7 quad) i can use but the darn thing is so hot and has a 130W power supply!

what do you think? it will do the job perfectly i must say ... and it's already there ...

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