Look for at least a 256GB SSD with the option to add more via USB or Ethernet. You’ll need plenty of storage to convert your media library to digital content that you can play on your home theater PC or stream to other devices. If budget is more important, you may have to settle for integrated graphics. It doesn’t need to be powerful enough to play the latest games if you aren’t also a gamer, but it does need to be powerful enough to drive an HD or 4K display or multiple displays, depending on your configuration. You need your home theater PC to have a discrete graphics card for the best performance. The latest AMD processors have flipped that script with a fantastic performance from their most expensive offerings, but you’re unlikely to make that kind of investment in a home theater PC. AMD is a fine choice if you’re after a budget model and don’t need high performance, while Intel typically provides higher performance. You’ll find home theater PCs equipped with both Intel and AMD CPUs. What to Look For in a Home Theater PC Processor More expensive versions are available with faster processors, all in the same tiny form factor. The most affordable option packs a lightweight Atom processor suitable for basic streaming, but don’t expect it to do any heavy lifting. The Intel Compute Stick comes in a few configurations, so choosing the right one is essential. You can install apps, browse the internet, and stream media for your home theater. It features the whole Windows 10 experience, which means you can use this tiny home theater PC to do anything you can with any other Windows computer. Unlike streaming devices with a similar form factor, the Intel Compute Stick is a legitimate Windows PC. It’s designed to plug directly into one of the HDMI ports on your television, or you can use an HDMI adapter if the Compute Stick is too big. The Intel Compute Stick is a tiny home theater PC with a form factor that isn’t much larger than most television streaming devices. However, the PCIe and DIMM slots are all full from the factory, so you’ll be replacing components with upgrades rather than just adding new functionality on top. It even allows you to upgrade after the fact, like a traditional PC. The Origin Chronos is a bit pricey if you’re not looking for a home theater PC that can double as a powerful gaming rig, but it’s a fantastic option if that is what you’re looking for. You can also upgrade to various more powerful Intel and AMD Ryzen CPUs and even slot in a beastly Nvidia GeForce3 RTX Titan if you’re looking to future-proof your home theater and gaming experiences. The base configuration of the Origin Chronos comes packed with a six-core AMD Ryand an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super, which means you can even use it with some of the best VR headsets. Still, it doesn’t look out of place next to an Xbox One or PlayStation 4, nor will it have overstayed its welcome by the time you upgrade to the next generation of consoles. It doesn’t conform precisely to the size specifications of any specific game system. While the Chronos is a bit on the large side, gamers will be immediately comfortable with the size and form factor. If you’re a home-theater buff who is also into PC gaming, the Origin Chronos ticks all the right boxes. Yet, it’s powerful enough to run the 4K display in your home theater system and then seamlessly switch over to play many of the latest games at the highest settings. This PC is still significantly smaller than your typical tower unit. The Origin Chronos is on the larger side of PCs we recommend for home theater settings, but there’s a good reason for the exception. If that isn’t important, then this line has much to offer. The only real drawback of the Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro is that there isn’t any option for discrete graphics. If you need a higher performance option, you can upgrade to a variety of Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors, add a 256GB PCIe SSD, add up to 8GB of RAM, and more. The entry-level Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro offers an excellent mix of affordability and performance, with a dual-core Pentium processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and a spacious 500 GB hard disk drive, all with a price tag lower than much of the competition. Carefully route short cables behind your television and add a soundbar, and the Dell Optiplex 3070 can form the core of one of the stealthiest home theater systems. While this unit is small enough to fit into most home theater cabinets and other situations, you can mount it to the back of your VESA-compatible television with an optional bracket. The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro is an excellent choice if you’re working on a budget and have space constraints.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |