[Paul D]

adamca
Don't worry!
The fan is load sensitive and will slow down once it senses your CPU temp etc.
It is nowhere near the 360 fan racket...

[Spies]

Well I suspect that it will run quieter once you isntall the componants, what tends to happen is when you turn it on is that the fan goes full speed, then once it reaches the POST screen (memory check etc), the fans calm down.

[adamca]

Thanks for the replies,puts my mind at rest for now, just can't wait to build it and get it up and running

[WheresMyArtisan]

Originally Posted by peskywinnets

Core Duo T2600 @£80 on Ebay - I've just bagged one (in fact I got a package price of a T2600 + Gigabyte GA-8I945GMMFY-RH Mothboard....£150 delivered!).

Good old Billy's Bargain Stall! You got a super buy there. It really is a gem of a CPU - it copes with whatever I chuck at it, and it doesn't seem to have as many "thinking about it" moments as the previous P4 3GHz dual core PC did. It doesn't keep the cat as warm though.

[peskywinnets]

Originally Posted by WheresMyArtisan

Good old Billy's Bargain Stall! You got a super buy there. It really is a gem of a CPU - it copes with whatever I chuck at it, and it doesn't seem to have as many "thinking about it" moments as the previous P4 3GHz dual core PC did. It doesn't keep the cat as warm though.

I was a little sceptical...yet having just nailed the deal yesterday, the package turned up this morning special delivery...well happy!

And I still I can't believe your initial post mentioning 170 quid off a Core Duo T2600 hasn't resulted in a feeding frenzy - thanks matey!

[WheresMyArtisan]

I believe it's the best bang-per-buck you can get.

It's much quicker and cooler than a P4, much cheaper than a Core 2 Duo, and probably cheaper than a P4.

But it's not the fashionable CPU of the season - everyone wants a Core 2 Duo, which is admittedly a bit quicker still (only a bit though).

[Spies]

Of course CoreDuo's downclock when theres little processor activity also.

[garethuk]

I bought this barebones kit as soon as I saw this post and have really enjoyed it. I am using a Pentium D, 3.2 Ghz with 1Gb of RAM. Has anyone successfully installed Vista Home Premium using Aero Glass and Media Center using the onboard graphics?
I tried the RC1 and Aero Glass was disabled and I noticed some strange glitches in Media Center. I wasn't sure if this was due to trying Vista without a graphics card or whether it was a driver issue. I don't want to go back to plugging in my video card as the heat was terrible and the system fan would regularly go into spasm. Hopefully someone will have already tried this and suceeded.

I got this case and loaded with new Windows Vista Home Premium.I was able to get everything up and running beside VFD.It always displays "PC".Downloaded driver for MCE2005 from Aopen web site ,extract it and ...
Folder where I extracted this VFD Driver file contains couple of .dll and .lib.What I am supposed to do with those files?
Anybody has idea how to get VFD working in Vista?
Where I need to place thoese exctracted .dll's?

Regards....

[adamca]

Finally got all components yesterday.Had a total nightmare installing wmce,could only get it to install by taking someones advice on this thread and dropped the memory speed down to 400.One problem solved,next, remote control will not work.I've re-installed drivers, updated wmce tried everthing advised on here but no joy ,it will not even open the media center.
I am beginning to wonder if a have someone elses return on the barebones unit because other problems are: all front usb ports do not work and 2 blanking plates on the pci slots are missing.
Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated
all components are as advised by Paul
thanks in advance

[adamca]

In answer to my own post I've spent most of today trying to sort these problems out.First problem was three plugs had come away from the motherboard, the infrared receiver,the card reader and the front usb ports, so first problem sorted.Next I could not find the ehome driver to get the remote to work anywhere, so got in touch with PCNextday technical who were very helpful and sent me the correct drivers via email.Once installed everything fell into place and I am happy to say the setup is running as smooth and as quietly as Paul said it does.I have even set the memory speed back to its proper setting and as of yet no issues.
Now off for an early drink after a very stressful day
Thanks for all your posts and advice Paul the system is great
Cheers

Just update on my case.

We do need updated drivers for VFD under windows vista.Let's hope that Aopen will release new driver ASAP.

[RSK21]

All

Mine is now for sale on the forums here if anybody is interested.

RSK

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...=1#post4273106

[garethuk]

To update what I wrote earlier - after my abysmal efforts at using the onboard graphics on Vista RC1, I bought Vista Home Premium rationalising that I would be using it at one point or another. Everything worked straight away with the exception of the VFD as mentioned in an earlier post.

The only issue I now have is that since I pulled out my Nvidia card due to heat reason and used the DVI on the Add2 card, about 50% of reboots cause my screen to appear off centre and the notification area gets lost off the screen. With VGA I can just change the clock setting on my TV and it remembers every time - but with HDMI my TV settings are limited.

I have found two ways to fix this, one is to change resolution and then back again and the other is to switch the TV off and on and allow it to reinitialise the input. This problem did not appear when connected through the DVI out on my graphics card.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, have they found a solution?

[gphillips]

Paul

Thanks for a really fantastic post. I think I am going to buy this case. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions specific to my setup?

My current MSI board with ATI Radeon Xpress 200 onboard is giving me all sorts of problems with the Black Gold Dual tuner card so Im hoping this problematic card may behave better in this better board. Any ideas there?

Also, as I use the media centre only for the "media Centre" component and nothing more do you think the onboard graphics will be suitible, or will I need to upgrade? The Radeon Xpress 200 on my MSI board was great in XP MCE, but although it does work in Vista (which I now run) it is asking a lot of it, with some elements on the media centre app being sluggish. Would you know how capable the onboard graphics are as opposed to the Radeon Xpress? Or is it a non-starter?

Am I correct in reading from other peoples posts that the VFD doesnt work at all under Vista? and are there any other Vista issues?

Oh finally, is the heatsink on the main CPU pictured included with the case or not? If not, where did you get that pls?

Thanks very much, any help is appreciated.

[m_shafiq]

Hi,
Great thread. Thanks for the info.

Quick question, would I be able to use a Core 2 Duo E6600 on the EPC945-m8?

Thanks
Shaf.

[gphillips]

Ive been offered a atandard (single core) CPU by a friend to use in this system. Its 800FSB and 3.2Ghz. Am I right in thinking this should be more than sufficient for a machine which will only be used for the Media Centre app?

[gphillips]

Hi

Is the "HeatPipe Quiet Fan" included with the barebones case, or did you buy it seperatley ?

Also, is the main PSU included please?

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by gphillips

Hi

Is the "HeatPipe Quiet Fan" included with the barebones case, or did you buy it seperatley ?

Also, is the main PSU included please?

Both are included...

The VFD isn't working under Vista.
I think i will send them an email, as they were very quick to reply to the S3 resume thing.

[gphillips]

Cheers. Id like to avoid buying a GPU if it isnt necessary. Any idea how good the onboard graphics are under Vista? I only intend to use media centre (tv, DVD, a bit of downloaded HD) no games etc.

[Paul D]

Another update...

After ugrading to Vista and a HDMI (Sapphire 1600 Pro 256mb) graphics card, i've had one or two glitches.

I'm still having problems "applying" any changes to the VGA card when running via HDMI.
I have managed to get 1280x720p @ 50hz to stick, but it still has some slight overscan.
Even with this, the image is much sharper than 1366x768 (my panels native res) via a VGA lead.
I'm not sure why this is, but i'm not complaining!

I added a XBox 360 "HD-DVD" a few days a go, and bought a copy of Cyberlinks PowerDVD Ultra to go with it.

The 360 drive has a built in USB hub, so once connected (and the auto update/driver install performed), you get two extra USB slots.
I've used one with my USB keyboard-track ball, and it works a treat.

I was having some severe problems with Superman Returns (HD-DVD), with crashes and stutters.
However, ATI/Sapphire have just released some new Vista drivers and it seems to have done the trick.

I haven't had any further crashes and playback seems fine.
I still notice the odd stutter, but the disc menus now work and i can navigate the discs.
The Cyberlink software doesn't select the correct video level, meaning blacks are grey and i have had to drop brightness 4 points(in the software player etc) to correct this.
I know its early days, but i assumed running via Vista and HDMI would have sorted this. (i think it is using the older overlay format etc)

Once HD-DVD/Blue Ray (hopefully hybrid) internal drives start shipping for sensible money, i will install one in the case.

But for now, i'm fairly pleased with the results...

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by gphillips

Cheers. Id like to avoid buying a GPU if it isnt necessary. Any idea how good the onboard graphics are under Vista? I only intend to use media centre (tv, DVD, a bit of downloaded HD) no games etc.

I never used the onboard graphics so cannot comment.
However it will cost you nothing to try it first, then upgrade if it doesn't cut it etc.

[gphillips]

sorry to touble you again! would you know if the onboard graphics has dvi out?

[Paul D]

Yep, DVI...

[WheresMyArtisan]

Paul - there's no onboard DVI there.

The GT has DVI though (at least the US version anyway) - my piccies a few pages ago show it. I never bothered using it myself though.

[gphillips]

THat DVI looks as if its on your own GPU, not on-board?

[gphillips]

Hi

As the Saphire HDMI card you have purchased is quite pricey (do you mind providing a link to the one you bought by any chance! :-) - Im interested to know what results to expect from a more entry level card with DVI out when using a DVI - HDMI lead. Did you ever try this? - And any idea what the quality is like compared to HDMI - HDMI?

Perhaps the same?

[TheSparra]

Hi.

The epc-945m8 barebones comes with an 'add on' card which provides the DVI, driven by the on-board graphics.

Therefore, 'out of the box', a DVI is supplied. This card is removed/replaced should you wish to upgrade/replace with a seperate Graphics Card.

The picture quality of the on-board graphics is great. Never had any issues, and is very flexible with resolutions, scaling, etc.
Not tried any games on it though....yet. Suspect it would dissappoint on this front.

A question to Paul,
How is your system coping with heat?
Mine still seems to run hot. Indeed if i'm watching a DVD and recording some TV at the same time, my picture sometimes starts to degrade and become black and white. This seems to tie in with the "Aux"/"System" temperatures as displayed via Speedfan. I just use the on board graphics, so am having difficulty in understanding why mine is suffering from heat issues, when your's is not? any ideas?

Sparra

[WheresMyArtisan]

I notice from Paul's original pictures that his is on a floating shelf, with nothing around the sides or the top. This could explain why there are no heat issues, but it isn't how most peoples' PCs will sit.

Mine's in a shelf with about 1cm clearance above, and a few cm's to each side. With an open back, but glass doors on the front. Mine works fine, as it's the GT with a laptop CPU. But the old P4 single core Artisan used to cook in the same place, even with its long back end hanging out of the back. More recent dual core P4's spew out even more heat than this.

[Paul D]

As the picture shows, DVI is included via a plug in card.

As mentioned above, my unit is on a open shelf, and i haven't suffered any heat problems.

I thought i was starting to have a noisy CPU fan whilst watching MI 3 via HD-DVD last night.
During a quiet scene during the first half of the film i became aware of a low fan drone.

It turned out to be the 360 HD DVD drive!
It must have an internal fan, as it went quiet when i ejected the disc.
It wasn't the nornal drive noise, as it wasn't there when the film first started etc.
Although it will do for now, i look forward to a normal HD internal drive...