I built a (Zen) thing, AMA

"PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120" (pyroholtz)
05/17/2020 at 13:40 • Filed to: Computers

So, I wanted to build a better 4k home theater computer. The previous build (listed below) wasn’t up to the task of running 2160p resolution and couldn’t handle high bitrate content smoothly. This was an Intel thin-ITX motherboard mounted to a piece of Lexan, mounted to the back of a budget 55" 4k, no HDR support.

i3-3245: 3.4ghz no turbo, dual core with hyperthreading

16GB of sodimm DDR3

On chip HD4000 GPU

256GB SATA SSD

Intel miniPCI AC wifi card

The new build is an AsRock ITX AM4 B450 motherboard, mounted slightly lower on the same TV.

Ryzen 5 3400g: 3.7ghz (4.2 boost) quad core, 8 thread APU (CPU/GPU)

PicoPSU 120watt ATX dc-dc power “supply” powered by a 120watt 12v notebook power brick.

16GB of 3200mhz DDR4

On chip Radeon Vega 11 GPU

Intel 512GB m.2 PCIe SSD

Intel onboard m.2 AC wifi

The plan is to replace this budget TV with an OLED unit when those prices come down.

The i3 will become a new home server as an ultra compact build, converting away from an even older i3 built into a mid-tower ATX setup. I’ll post that once it’s finished.

DISCUSSION (12)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 14:24

I enthusiastically endorse this hackery.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 14:28

I want to do computer stuff soooooo bad but I have neither the money n or a good reason to do so.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
05/17/2020 at 14:45

I totally get what you’re saying. It took me a while to make the change, as you can see I’m cheap and use old stuff wherever possible. This new build was one of the only fully new parts systems I've done. Typically I buy used.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 14:45

i3??? Is it up to task?

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/17/2020 at 14:50

The i3 Ivy Bridge was the old system and it did fine for everthing except the integrated GPU couldn’t handle anything over 1440p. I considered getting an external GPU to slot into the x4 PCIe port but I wanted an upgrade to a more modern system.

404 - User No Longer Available > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 15:00

I should start thinking about an upgrade path to replace my N3150 Zbox. Recently redid the OS from Windows to LibreELEC, but now I couldn’t solve the wake with remote issue, it enters a sleep of death where even the power button won’t wake it . Workaround for now is leaving it on and putting it on F@H duty, but at least I don’t have to patch Windows all the time now, lol.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > 404 - User No Longer Available
05/17/2020 at 15:34

Good luck on those issues. SoD is no fun. I've found the more modern hardware handles sleep/wake way better than older systems.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
05/17/2020 at 15:35

Thanks Rusty, gotta do something to stay sane.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/17/2020 at 16:03

I just realized you might have been asking about an i3 for server tasks, is that true?

404 - User No Longer Available > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 17:14

Funny thing is this box used to run Lubuntu initially, and I was able to sort out the wake issue, just an ACPI flag. I moved to Windows because back then Linux’s support for Braswell’s GPU was horrid. I think it’s something about LibreELEC’s hardening that took something out. Searched the forums and seemingly I’m not alone on the issue.

And it’s not even that old, Braswell is 2015-2016 hardware.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/17/2020 at 18:05

Sorry, yeah, I wasn’t that specific.

I’d converted a couple of years ago to using only i7 for project stuff. (I’d done some consulting and seen how delightful the low-power, fanless, i7 implementations were). I’ve tried a couple of old i3 laptops for media stuff-and thought they were not up to running Ubuntu LTS releases— but I was doing streaming over my home network. The line on “servers” is harder to draw now since there are so many DLNA capable Linux apps. And, my kids like to “Cast” to the various Chromecasts around the house.

So, yeah, I’ve probably not given the i3s their due for dedicated media boxes.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/17/2020 at 19:06

The main problem with the older i3 CPUs for media playback is the same as any older CPU, their GPU is not well suited for high bitrate or compression.

Underclocking and/ or undervolting an i7 can be a cool setup too, especially if it’s passively cooled.

And yes, by server I mean basic WAN/LAN media hosting.