mikinho

[mikinho]

[quote=dbocce3]

• Do I need to install a fan on top of the CPU or will the fans in the case be sufficient?

[/quote]

You have plenty of room so you’ll still want a CPU heatsinkfan (HSF).  The stock fan that comes with Core i3-2100T should suffice.  It isn’t the most efficient but you have a server case so I’m assuming it isn’t going to be physically located in an area you care.  The case fans will also be louder than the fan on the stock HSF.

[quote=dbocce3]

• How can I find out what type of fan fits over the CPU and on the board? Can you make any recommendations as to a type or where to look?

[/quote]

I would try the stock HSF first but if you do want to upgrade then any LGA 1155 fan will work.  From there you’ll need to check 3 basic dimensions: 1- How much vertical space you have between the CPU and the chassis cover.  Shouldn’t be an issue; 2- The diameter around the CPU for any components that may interfere.  Again, shouldn’t be a problem with just about any HSF you choose with this case; 3- If you get a large HSF that clearance with RAM modules.  This is a concern when you go with larger modules w/ crazy heat-sinks on them.

[mikinho]

[quote=dbocce3]

1. Is WHS 2011 an OS or an program? If it is an OS, can other programs be installed on there just like on Windows 7? My main concern is SageTV Media Center.

[/quote]

It is an operating system.  WHS 2011 is based on Windows 2008 R2.  There are some limitations on what can be installed but SageTV Server can be installed w/o issue.

[quote=dbocce3]

2. And can a blu-ray player be installed into this case? I purchased this blu-ray drive.

[/quote]

Yes.  I suggest the top 5.25″ drive bay.  I have the same case (well branded as a different manufacturer but it is the same chassis…it is used by a couple companies) and it works fine.

[mikinho]

The heat sinks on them make them too tall to use in any HTPC I have.  I’d rather get a “normal” memory module and keep a nicer HSF.

[mikinho]

[quote=oliverredfox]

The Intel HD graphics driver is known to have that issue.  Version 8.15.10.2279 works for me, the newer versions crash on HDMI if I use them.

[/quote]

+1 I’ve had to help various people rollback to 2279 due to BSOD w/ the latest Intel HD Graphics drivers.

[mikinho]

The lack of Hyperthreading on the G620T leaving it with only 2 threads would make it a difficult purchase for me but it is almost $60 cheaper than the 2100T

[mikinho]

It is an Intel LGA 1155 (Socket H2) motherboard which is a socket that supports Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors.  Any LGA 1155 CPU is compatible.

Since you are not looking for high-performance I would look at any of the 2nd generation Intel Core i3 family of processors.  If you want low power the Core i3-2100T is a 35W Max TDP CPU but it is more expensive than its 21xx siblings.

[mikinho]

I agree with Aaron.  The I have with many AMD boards is the on-board Realtek network card.  I do like that the current generation AMD boards typically have 6x SATA III versus 2x on comparable Intel boards; however, I’ll pick a nice Intel network card over that any day.

There are some new AMD boards with comparable low power consumption and processing power to the Core i3 but they are still untested.

[mikinho]

I bought my wire in bulk at http://www.lanshack.com/.  I also picked up my patch panel there.  For patch cables and connectors I picked them via http://www.monoprice.com/

[mikinho]

Typically solid is “recommended” for ceiling and in wall while stranded UTP is used for patch cables.  For short runs, less than 100 meters it honestly doesn’t matter much in terms of performance; however, stranded is used more frequently when retrofitting since it is easier to work with.

I used Cat 6A STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), Solid Conductor for my home but I doubt I would have noticed any difference going w/ some of less quality.  My recommendation is to use high quality connectors and connects.  I’ve seen a lot of people use Cat 6 cable then use Cat 5e connector andor patch panels and run into issues later.

[mikinho]

Based on your feedback I would go w/ WHS 2011.

In terms of your motherboard…do you want low power consumption?  My current home server is a dual CPU AMD Opteron (G34) Supermicro system.  That is overkill for most people but I really like the system and they have a good single CPU board: H8SCM-F.

What I like about it…1- six cores at an affordable price; 2- dual Intel network cards; 3- PCIe x4 slots…hate not having anything but a single x16 and x1 slots; 4- IPMI 2.0….being able to connect to the console and turn it onoff over TCPIP has saved my butt a few times.

If you want low power than an Intel Core i3 makes for a good home server.  Just make sure to get a board with an Intel network card.  See Andrew’s guide, Installing a Server OS in Intel Media Series Motherboards, for more information using an Intel Media Series board.

[mikinho]

I did have an application that did it all but it was only available for a short time as I had a bug in it that I haven’t gotten around to fixing yet 

In terms of extenders.  Anything you do w/ MCS will extend to extenders since it uses the same resource dll which is “edited”.

For my app you can either make the changes at the machine level or per user including extender user accounts.  Just run it as an administrator and you’ll have a drop down to pick what user.

[mikinho]

[quote=PAPutzback]

How simple is it to put it in WHS 2011 and share the tuners out via the network.

[/quote]

Very easy, Aaron goes over it in http://www.missingremote.com/guide/ceton-infinitv-network-tuner-wizard-access-infinitv-tuners-multiple-pcs#Installation on Host without WMC

I’m pretty sure I can help out if you do run into any issues 🙂

One thing I would HIGHLY suggest is make sure you are up-to-date on your network card drivers from the manufacturer directly.  Do not use network card drivers from Windows Update unless you have no other option and even then I would highly consider a better network card if no drivers are available.

[quote=PAPutzback]

And will it run in a PCIe 16 slot?

[/quote]

Yes it can but there is a catch.  Depending on your motherboard manufacturer your x16 may be restricted to graphic cards.  This is more common on high-end boards designed for SLI or CrossFire.

[mikinho]

I use my Hide Media Center Menu Strips to remove native strips and another tool of mine to addremove menu items.  MCS gives you the most flexibility though.

[mikinho]

Most people know I am a 64-bit fan boy.  I see very little reason to run 32-bit.  I do admit there are some reasons, such as FireSTB, but at the same time anything that isn’t 64-bit compatible at this point I don’t want on my HTPC.

There are three basic reasons for lack of 64-bit support: 1- free drivers that can’t afford the signing cost w/ 64-bit Windows; 2- legacy code that was written w/ a 32-bit only compiler that would require significant work to rewrite on a modern compiler; 3- lazy developers who either don’t bother to learn best practices for Windows or dislike Windows so take an idealistic attitude and use cross-platform support as an excuse for neglecting best practices.

I can sympathize with not wanting to afford code signing, I’m guilty of it myself for a few kernel-mode drivers I never made public due to SPC costs.  But otherwise if it isn’t 64-bit compatible I don’t care if I’m running 32-bit Windows or how cool it is–it has no place on a system I care about stability on it.

[mikinho]

Why can’t a Kuro or Sammy price drop like this 

[Author]

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