mikinho

[mikinho]

While most rack mount cases can have the rack ears removed, typically 4 or 5 screws, the Take 3 doesn’t appear to have removable, at least from the photos.  I would e-mail their support.

At my old job I wanted to use a rack mount server I had as my primary desktop but I didn’t have the room for it either.  I don’t know if this would work for you but what I did was install a small hanging rack below my desk: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129038]StarTech RK319WALLV 3U 19in Steel Vertical Rack and Wall Mountable Server Rack[/url].  It isn’t appropriate for heavy servers, its typical use case is network and other shallow rack gear but a shallow case works as well.

[img width=650 height=520]http://uk.startech.com/media/products/rk319wallv/Large/RK319WALLV.Elarge.jpg[/img]

I had the 3U version installed under my desk.  I also have a 4U wall mounted in my closet for my networking gear.  Sorry I can’t be more helpful in terms of your original request.

[mikinho]

You’ll have a tough time finding a case in the desktop computer market.  Myabe 2-3 years ago you would have but with the advances in mini-ITX and the Core i3i5 most manufacturers have shifted to either mini-ITX or micro-ATX with low profile cards.

There are some higher end HTPC enclosures that work but depending on how much height and depth you have to work with just about any server chassis would work. 

One rack unit is 1.75 inches, so 1U, 2U, 3U and even 4U chassis would fit in your 7 inch requirement.  You can limit that to 2U, 3U or 4U based on your full size power supply requirement.

I would look at 3U shallow myself.  Something like [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129051]Antec Take 3[/url].

[mikinho]

You’ll have a tough time finding a case in the desktop computer market.  Myabe 2-3 years ago you would have but with the advances in mini-ITX and the Core i3i5 most manufacturers have shifted to either mini-ITX or micro-ATX with low profile cards.

There are some higher end HTPC enclosures that work but depending on how much height and depth you have to work with just about any server chassis would work. 

One rack unit is 1.75 inches, so 1U, 2U, 3U and even 4U chassis would fit in your 7 inch requirement.  You can limit that to 2U, 3U or 4U based on your full size power supply requirement.

I would look at 3U shallow myself.  Something like [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129051]Antec Take 3[/url].

[mikinho]

Zygmunt- Hope you don’t mind, I fixed your post

[mikinho]

Zygmunt- Hope you don’t mind, I fixed your post

[mikinho]

[quote=”schreibman”]
o I use NAS storage, and need the HTPCs SSD to record a days’ worth of content.(will copy to NAS ‘afterhours’).
[/quote]

I would recommend not doing this unless you limit your TV recordingviewing to less than an hour or possible two depending on your SSD size.  Here is the reviewreference on why I suggest that: [url=http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1233/1/]http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1233/1/[/url].  Even at 256GB drives ~42GB/day isn’t a lot for a primary DVR.

The data is based on the WD SiliconEdge Blue which isn’t the highest rated SSD but it gives you a good idea for comparable drives.

[quote]The operational lifespan on the drive is unlimited when it comes to read, but the write lifespan varies depending on the size drive you have as the larger the capacity the more writes you can do as there are more MLC NAND Flash chips. WD used LifeEst methodology to figure out how many writes per day a drive can do in a typical five year service span, which is interesting as our readers are always interested in how long an SSD will last.

Write Operational Lifespans:
256GB – 42.1GB/Day
128GB – 21.0GB/Day
64GB – 10.5GB/Day

These aren’t bad figures and most consumers today are not writing that much data to their drives on a daily basis even with all your browser caching! Let’s take a look inside the drive and see what makes it tick.[/quote]

[quote=”schreibman”]
o   Installing 8 gigs ram via 2 4 gig modules – eliminate page file & keep 2 open slots “just in case”
[/quote]

Since you mention this being your first PC, make sure to insert the modules in the proper pairing (I’m assuming you will be purchasing dual channel DDR3).

I also would recommend not eliminating your page file.  Whats the point?  It will only be used if needed and for crash dumps so why not leave it there?  SSD are great for page files as well.

[quote=”schreibman”]
o   SSD for performance, noise and heat considerations.
[/quote]

Make sure to set AHCI mode in the BIOS before installing Windows to fully benefit from the SSD speed.

[quote=”schreibman”]
• CPU –  [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115068/]Intel Core i3-560 Clarkdale 3.33GHz $149.99[/url]
• Tuner- [url=https://www.fluiddigitalmedia.com/orders/new/]Ceton InfinitTV 4  $399.00[/url]
• Case – [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204040/]nMEDIAPC Black  HTPC 1080P Micro ATX Case $79.99[/url]
• Power Supply -[url=http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-102-power-kit%20/]picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit $69.50[/url]
• Motherboard -[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121394/]Intel XDH55TC H55 HDMI Micro ATX  Motherboard  $89.99[/url]
• Drive -[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167031/]Intel X25-M 2.5″ 80GB SATA II MLC Solid State Drive (SSD) $214.99[/url]
• Memory –  [url=http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=F04A1727A5CA7304/]Crucial  8GB (2 * 4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600 memory modules$219.99[/url]
• Blu-ray Drive – [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181/]LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner -SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe $99.99[/url]

All in I am looking at about $1,400 after shipping and miscellaneous.
[/quote]

All your component look great.  My only recommendation would be a different SSD.  I have several X25-M and they served me well but there are newer, faster drivers available now that also support TRIM.

I would look at the [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148358]Crucial RealSSD[/url] or [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233124]Corsair Force[/url] myself.  Their read and write speeds exceed the Intel X25-M.  The Intel Solid State Toolbox is a nice utility but the price saving and performance benefit of new drivers win  ;D

[mikinho]

[quote=”schreibman”]
o I use NAS storage, and need the HTPCs SSD to record a days’ worth of content.(will copy to NAS ‘afterhours’).
[/quote]

I would recommend not doing this unless you limit your TV recordingviewing to less than an hour or possible two depending on your SSD size.  Here is the reviewreference on why I suggest that: [url=http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1233/1/]http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1233/1/[/url].  Even at 256GB drives ~42GB/day isn’t a lot for a primary DVR.

The data is based on the WD SiliconEdge Blue which isn’t the highest rated SSD but it gives you a good idea for comparable drives.

[quote]The operational lifespan on the drive is unlimited when it comes to read, but the write lifespan varies depending on the size drive you have as the larger the capacity the more writes you can do as there are more MLC NAND Flash chips. WD used LifeEst methodology to figure out how many writes per day a drive can do in a typical five year service span, which is interesting as our readers are always interested in how long an SSD will last.

Write Operational Lifespans:
256GB – 42.1GB/Day
128GB – 21.0GB/Day
64GB – 10.5GB/Day

These aren’t bad figures and most consumers today are not writing that much data to their drives on a daily basis even with all your browser caching! Let’s take a look inside the drive and see what makes it tick.[/quote]

[quote=”schreibman”]
o   Installing 8 gigs ram via 2 4 gig modules – eliminate page file & keep 2 open slots “just in case”
[/quote]

Since you mention this being your first PC, make sure to insert the modules in the proper pairing (I’m assuming you will be purchasing dual channel DDR3).

I also would recommend not eliminating your page file.  Whats the point?  It will only be used if needed and for crash dumps so why not leave it there?  SSD are great for page files as well.

[quote=”schreibman”]
o   SSD for performance, noise and heat considerations.
[/quote]

Make sure to set AHCI mode in the BIOS before installing Windows to fully benefit from the SSD speed.

[quote=”schreibman”]
• CPU –  [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115068/]Intel Core i3-560 Clarkdale 3.33GHz $149.99[/url]
• Tuner- [url=https://www.fluiddigitalmedia.com/orders/new/]Ceton InfinitTV 4  $399.00[/url]
• Case – [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204040/]nMEDIAPC Black  HTPC 1080P Micro ATX Case $79.99[/url]
• Power Supply -[url=http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT-102-power-kit%20/]picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit $69.50[/url]
• Motherboard -[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121394/]Intel XDH55TC H55 HDMI Micro ATX  Motherboard  $89.99[/url]
• Drive -[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167031/]Intel X25-M 2.5″ 80GB SATA II MLC Solid State Drive (SSD) $214.99[/url]
• Memory –  [url=http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=F04A1727A5CA7304/]Crucial  8GB (2 * 4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600 memory modules$219.99[/url]
• Blu-ray Drive – [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181/]LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner -SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe $99.99[/url]

All in I am looking at about $1,400 after shipping and miscellaneous.
[/quote]

All your component look great.  My only recommendation would be a different SSD.  I have several X25-M and they served me well but there are newer, faster drivers available now that also support TRIM.

I would look at the [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148358]Crucial RealSSD[/url] or [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233124]Corsair Force[/url] myself.  Their read and write speeds exceed the Intel X25-M.  The Intel Solid State Toolbox is a nice utility but the price saving and performance benefit of new drivers win  ;D

[mikinho]

For that price go I would personally go w/ an ATI 5450 ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877[/url] or NVIDIA GT 210 ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130541]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130541[/url]).

I’ve used both cards successfully in a PCIe 1.0 slot.

[mikinho]

For that price go I would personally go w/ an ATI 5450 ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877[/url] or NVIDIA GT 210 ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130541]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130541[/url]).

I’ve used both cards successfully in a PCIe 1.0 slot.

[mikinho]

[quote=”Skirge01″]
Is there a picture in your post that I’m not able to see?  I’m sure everyone is always looking for new and interesting cases.
[/quote]

I don’t see it either so I’m guessing it is an attachment (we both have that issue  ;D)

[mikinho]

[quote=”Skirge01″]
Is there a picture in your post that I’m not able to see?  I’m sure everyone is always looking for new and interesting cases.
[/quote]

I don’t see it either so I’m guessing it is an attachment (we both have that issue  ;D)

[mikinho]

The public release was the same revision I got a chance to use ahead of time.

My suggestion if you do try it out, set your STB to a fixed resolution rather than letting it match the source content resolution.  Most of the users having issues seem to not have that set.

I’ve got the weak signal a few more times but it is is very usable for a beta.  I did lower the threshold for the weak signal message but really haven’t tested enough to say without a doubt that it helped.

[mikinho]

The public release was the same revision I got a chance to use ahead of time.

My suggestion if you do try it out, set your STB to a fixed resolution rather than letting it match the source content resolution.  Most of the users having issues seem to not have that set.

I’ve got the weak signal a few more times but it is is very usable for a beta.  I did lower the threshold for the weak signal message but really haven’t tested enough to say without a doubt that it helped.

[mikinho]

[quote=”Skirge01″]
LOL!  Gee… what fruit-loving company does THAT sound like?
[/quote]

Very true.

And I don’t know why I expected Google to be different…but I did.

[mikinho]

[quote=”Skirge01″]
LOL!  Gee… what fruit-loving company does THAT sound like?
[/quote]

Very true.

And I don’t know why I expected Google to be different…but I did.

[Author]

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