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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 20 for Windows => Topic started by: kiwi on September 16, 2014, 03:09:54 pm

Title: Will a ZBOX-PI320 be up for the task of being a pure MC20 system
Post by: kiwi on September 16, 2014, 03:09:54 pm

I'm thinking about getting one as a dedicated PC for running MC20.  Will it have enough grunt to handle all MC audio needs?  ideally, being able to play to a couple different zones at the same time.

ZBOX-PI320
GPU: Intel HD Graphics
Name: Intel Atom Z3735F (quad-core, 1.33 GHz) Burst frequency up to 1.83 GHz
Memory Type: DDR3L
Memory Speed: 1333 MHz
Capacity: 2GB (integrated)

Basically, I'd toss an external drive on it and maybe find a small touch LED screen for it.

Thanks

Title: Re: Will a ZBOX-PI320 be up for the task of being a pure MC20 system
Post by: AndrewFG on September 17, 2014, 04:10:41 am

My audio player PC is Atom based. The only issue is that if it does not have a CPU cooler it will get very hot; so you will need a case fan. I bought an ultra quiet case fan and set the BIOS for variable speed control, so most times you can hardly hear it at all. (Especially when you have music playing).

Title: Re: Will a ZBOX-PI320 be up for the task of being a pure MC20 system
Post by: astromo on September 17, 2014, 04:29:32 am

Take a look at the comments in this piece:
http://liliputing.com/2014/08/zotac-zbox-pi320-pocket-sized-bay-trail-desktop-pc.html (http://liliputing.com/2014/08/zotac-zbox-pi320-pocket-sized-bay-trail-desktop-pc.html)
around Zotac and their reputation in terms of cooling (or otherwise). Personally, I don't have the depth of experience to confirm or refute.

I would say that I'm going OK so far with the Brix unit (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=91020.msg629092#msg629092) and my setup posts a JRMark (version 20.0.15): 906, using Linux.

Personally, and I may be wrong, but I'm expecting that the hardware will be happier on Linux than Win8.1. I'm guessing that it should have a lower resource overhead which should help keep it cooler. I'll see how the hardware survives.

Reading this:
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/1576330-gigabyte-brix-fanless-atom-gb-bxbt-2807-a.html (http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/1576330-gigabyte-brix-fanless-atom-gb-bxbt-2807-a.html)
I think it's wise to avoid putting the unit under the stress of video. Audio playback is the limit of duty for my plans as they stand.

Title: Re: Will a ZBOX-PI320 be up for the task of being a pure MC20 system
Post by: kiwi on September 30, 2014, 12:16:41 am

Thanks for the replies... Maybe I'll just give it a try.

@AndrewFG - I don't think that I can add any CPU cooler/case fan to it.  It's a self contained device.

@astromo I'm guessing the linux will be much happier... but that MC will run much better on windows.