Via CPUs in All-In-One setups

[perdomot]

Was just reading about the sub 60W PC that includes a via PC3500 cpu/mobo and like the idea of a small system for day to day use that doesnt draw much power but was wondering how good something like this can be. Anyone used something like this before?

 

[hans007]

VIA setups are somewhat pokey for some things. like i would not recommend watching a h264 videoon that.


maybe on a c7 2.0 ghz but still maybe not a great idea.

the d201gly2 by intel is a great board witha 1.2 ghz celeron core 2 duo basically. draws like 30 watts at max load.

 

[myocardia]

You'd never notice the difference, for things like web browsing, e-mailing, listening to music, using a word processor, etc. They aren't much good for anything else, though.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: hans007
the d201gly2 by intel is a great board witha 1.2 ghz celeron core 2 duo basically. draws like 30 watts at max load.

Unless you're sure you want an actual VIA board or need some of the bells/whistles (some 3rd party boards have various expansions) then I'd recommend the Intel board because it is cheap and will work like you expect. Be aware that there are two versions, the D201GLY and D201GLY2. Most people consider the "2" version superior.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Zap
Unless you're sure you want an actual VIA board or need some of the bells/whistles (some 3rd party boards have various expansions) then I'd recommend the Intel board because it is cheap and will work like you expect. Be aware that there are two versions, the D201GLY and D201GLY2. Most people consider the "2" version superior.

Is there a version of that board that has the SATA jacks populated on the mobo, and has the S-video output enabled?

 

[boomhower]

The "2" revision has SATA but I am not sure about s-video.

 

[firewolfsm]

An old laptop base can do the trick. Rip off the monitor and hook up your own. You could even sell the monitor on ebay for some extra cash.

This'll be faster and cheaper.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: perdomot
Was just reading about the sub 60W PC that includes a via PC3500 cpu/mobo and like the idea of a small system for day to day use that doesnt draw much power but was wondering how good something like this can be. Anyone used something like this before?

They are most often used in thin clients. I wouldn't use them for any normal computer to be honest.

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
An old laptop base can do the trick. Rip off the monitor and hook up your own. You could even sell the monitor on ebay for some extra cash.

This'll be faster and cheaper.

LOL! That's just too funny. Ripping off the monitor on a laptop... :roll:

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: Zap
Unless you're sure you want an actual VIA board or need some of the bells/whistles (some 3rd party boards have various expansions) then I'd recommend the Intel board because it is cheap and will work like you expect. Be aware that there are two versions, the D201GLY and D201GLY2. Most people consider the "2" version superior.

Is there a version of that board that has the SATA jacks populated on the mobo, and has the S-video output enabled?

d201gly = no sata. no 64 bit, not fanless

d201gly2 = sata, 64bit , fanless

d201gly2t = svideo port on backplate.


the T version is impossible to find, but silentpcreview got one for a review so it does exist.

 

[MichaelD]

Good info in this thread. I have the Via VB7001. Link. It's got a 1.5GHz Via C7-D CPU, two SATA ports, onboard sound, coax out and an S-Video port.

I use it for backups and as a spare PC. It runs very quietly, though not as cool as I had expected. It runs on a laptop-style power brick which stays nice and cool.

For email, internet (even streaming video), office applications, it's awesome. It gets the job done very well and has a tiny footprint which is nice. Forget about doing any gaming on it or encoding DVDs though.

The Intel d201gly2/t is a very nice board and it's cheaper too. If it was available when I bought my Via, I would've bought the Intel instead.

I have it in an iSTAR S-3 case. Here are some pics.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/michaeld/withcd.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/michaeld/standing1.jpg

 

[perdomot]

I like the D201GLY2 and it would be great for a basic use PC, kinda like the Mac Mini. Too bad there don't seem to be any really stylish cases. The ones I've seen look blocky and ugly.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: perdomot
I like the D201GLY2 and it would be great for a basic use PC, kinda like the Mac Mini. Too bad there don't seem to be any really stylish cases. The ones I've seen look blocky and ugly.

I realize that "style" is in the eye of the beholder...but I think my little case is pretty stylish. Then again...it's a small block. What do you want, a question-mark-shaped case?

 

[perdomot]

Actually, the iStar case is pretty nice. If it had a stealthed dvd tray, it would be perfect. Style is in the eye of the beholder but I have to admit that Apple does seem to have it all over PCs when it comes to aesthetics. It just looks good, you know?

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33

Originally posted by: perdomot
Was just reading about the sub 60W PC that includes a via PC3500 cpu/mobo and like the idea of a small system for day to day use that doesnt draw much power but was wondering how good something like this can be. Anyone used something like this before?

They are most often used in thin clients. I wouldn't use them for any normal computer to be honest.

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
An old laptop base can do the trick. Rip off the monitor and hook up your own. You could even sell the monitor on ebay for some extra cash.

This'll be faster and cheaper.

LOL! That's just too funny. Ripping off the monitor on a laptop... :roll:

actually this is really, REALLY interesting...
I did not know you could plug a normal monitor to a laptop base... or do you mean that VGA port on the side? This does sound like a pretty neat idea though.

 

[perdomot]

How would the d201gly2 compare to a C2D running at 2.0Ghz in the areas of internet, music/video playback? I'd be using 1GB of ram so I think it should be OK on these functions. Also, the LAN is only 10/100 and I d/l lots of torrents so would a GigNIC be a good idea for the open slot?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: perdomot
How would the d201gly2 compare to a C2D running at 2.0Ghz in the areas of internet, music/video playback?

Internet browsing and music playing doesn't stress new systems at all, so you won't notice a difference. Now, video playback... if you're doing 1080p playback then it may chug on the lower end stuff, but 720p and SD stuff should work fine.

Originally posted by: perdomot
Also, the LAN is only 10/100 and I d/l lots of torrents so would a GigNIC be a good idea for the open slot?

Well, unless your internet connection is faster than 100Mbit, then I wouldn't worry about it. It may be useful for copying stuff to another computer on your LAN as long as your switch is gigabit along with your other computers.

EDIT: Fixed quotes... too many forums with different tags...

 

[perdomot]

Thanks Zap. Most of the vid I d/l is at around 704 X 396 so I guess this should be fine. Was thinking of putting in vid card so I could have my main monitor displaying desktop and shift movie playing to my HDTV. Good idea?

 

[Zap]

If you don't need the absolute smallest form factor or absolute lowest power draw, then how about a regular mATX setup? You can go for an AMD 690G chipset board with all the video outputs and the IGP supports video decoding, plus toss in a low voltage Sempron LE. Put this in a $20 slimline case (need to undervolt exhaust fan because it is noisy) and you'll have a low power draw, small and fast(er) setup.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Zap
If you don't need the absolute smallest form factor or absolute lowest power draw, then how about a regular mATX setup? You can go for an AMD 690G chipset board with all the video outputs and the IGP supports video decoding, plus toss in a low voltage Sempron LE. Put this in a $20 slimline case (need to undervolt exhaust fan because it is noisy) and you'll have a low power draw, small and fast(er) setup.

Wow... :heart: :heart: :heart:. Wonder if I should get one of those and put some of my old, obsoleted mATX parts to good use. Too bad the only spare CPU I have that's compatible with my spare 945G is a Prescott . Yeowch...

 

[perdomot]

Zap,
That was another option I was considering. The cpu fan could be controlled with a fan controller so it is an option. Might not be as quiet but still tempting.

AmberClad,
Given the cold weather, your Prescott should be popular as a house warmer. LOL. Still have my PenD 805 with 2 Prescott cores in storage

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: perdomot
How would the d201gly2 compare to a C2D running at 2.0Ghz in the areas of internet, music/video playback? I'd be using 1GB of ram so I think it should be OK on these functions. Also, the LAN is only 10/100 and I d/l lots of torrents so would a GigNIC be a good idea for the open slot?

They aren't speed demons, and aren't good for anything besides internet, music, and like Zap said, non-1080P video viewing. I've got one myself, and it does the SuperPi 1m in 1 minute and 1 second, compared to my Q6600 doing it in ~24 seconds (at it's stock speed). It plays video just fine, though. As a matter of fact, it's about twice as much processing power as you need to play non-1080P videos, including DVD's, and it feels as fast as either of my other systems, while browsing the internet, and that type of everyday usage.

edit: BTW, I bought two of them here, although they're out of stock, atm. And I ordered this case, though it hasn't arrived yet. I like that case because it uses "normal" optical drives, instead of the laptop optical drives, and costs ~1/2 as much as the iStar.