[coastie65]

compnovo, on 23 March 2012 - 06:24 AM, said:

coastie65, on 23 March 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:

Hey Comp, that is really nice for what it will be used for. Good job.

Thanks coastie, I think he's going to be happy with it.

Oh I KNOW he will be happy with it.

[LiveBrianD]

compnovo, on 22 March 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

If I remember correctly, you can't use unsigned drivers on 64-bit Windows (not sure about 32-bit). Perhaps there's a more generic driver Windows has for it?

You must be right. I downloaded and installed the 64-bit driver from the Asrock site and it worked perfectly.

How is the build quality and noise level of the case? What about the temps?

The build quality is very nice, although the included fan is noisy. I would replace it if I was going to keep it under the TV, but he'll have it hidden away. According to the included utility the CPU temp ranged between 27-30C, very acceptable. This rig isn't going to be heavily stressed.

The mobo came with a WMC remote that can turn the PC on and off (it's actually a deep sleep state, it reboots instantly) and onboard wireless with antenna. I hooked it up and connected to my home network with no issues. Everything seems to be working right out of the box.

Wait, so you were trying to use a 32-bit driver on 64-bit Windows? That definitely won't work...

Are you talking about S3 sleep or what?

I might actually consider using a case like that myself when I replace some family members computers (eventually...). Again, the only thing is that I worry about the power supply quality on it. But then again, if you aren't stressing it, I guess it's ok.

[compnovo]

LiveBrianD, on 23 March 2012 - 03:10 PM, said:

Wait, so you were trying to use a 32-bit driver on 64-bit Windows? That definitely won't work...

Of course not, I let Windows search the driver disc. Does that mean I'm smarter than Windows?

LiveBrianD, on 23 March 2012 - 03:10 PM, said:

Are you talking about S3 sleep or what?

I haven't really looked into it, but it acts somewhat like hibernation although that function isn't enabled. It works so I don't much care.

LiveBrianD, on 23 March 2012 - 03:10 PM, said:

I might actually consider using a case like that myself when I replace some family members computers (eventually...). Again, the only thing is that I worry about the power supply quality on it. But then again, if you aren't stressing it, I guess it's ok.

Only time will tell.

[LiveBrianD]

I wonder - the power supplies OEMs use (LiteON, Delta, FSP) aren't great, but they're good enough for basic use, and I wonder if the ones in cheap cases are the same way. On the other hand, HP has a lot more to loose than a brand like, say, Hec that no one's heard of. It's too bad that the big names like Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, etc pretty much only make full-size ATX PSUs, and brand name cases like Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Silverstone, etc are the same way generally. I guess they assume that enthusiasts will only want that.

[compnovo]

LiveBrianD, on 23 March 2012 - 05:47 PM, said:

I wonder - the power supplies OEMs use (LiteON, Delta, FSP) aren't great, but they're good enough for basic use, and I wonder if the ones in cheap cases are the same way. On the other hand, HP has a lot more to loose than a brand like, say, Hec that no one's heard of. It's too bad that the big names like Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, etc pretty much only make full-size ATX PSUs, and brand name cases like Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Silverstone, etc are the same way generally. I guess they assume that enthusiasts will only want that.

Antec does make a nice mini-itx case that I would have preferred if it had been in stock:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129080

[LiveBrianD]

The problem with that is that I've heard of people using 65W i3s in it and having load temps get to 80C. Ouch. You shouldn't go above a 35-45W CPU with that. An AMD E350 or i3 2100T would do quite nicely in there.

[compnovo]

LiveBrianD, on 24 March 2012 - 10:15 AM, said:

The problem with that is that I've heard of people using 65W i3s in it and having load temps get to 80C. Ouch. You shouldn't go above a 35-45W CPU with that. An AMD E350 or i3 2100T would do quite nicely in there.

It looks like I made the right choice then, planned or otherwise.

[LiveBrianD]

lol... I'm also thinking about using a Rosewill FBM-01 or something like that - at least that way I can put in a power supply that I know is high quality, like an Antec Earthwatts.