Want to get tiny fanless system for streaming

[tbessie]

Hi folks...

I'm looking into fanless systems to use for audio and video streaming around my house. Currently, I have a full-on HTPC under my TV, running Windows 7 x64, chock full of storage and great audio and video cards. The issue is, 1) it uses lots of power, 2) I have to remember to turn it on if I want to use it for streaming, 3) I've been getting lots of BSODs on it (most likely due to a faulty memory stick that I've since removed, but I'm still getting BSODs sometimes). I'd like a "Turn it on and leave it running forever" fanless system that I'd probably put Linux on.

The most interesting prebuilt systems I've seen out there were:

• Gigabyte BRIX IOT
• Zotac CI549 nano
• Zotac CI660 nano

Unfortunately, the I can't find the BRIX IOT for sale ANYWHERE, even though it's supposed to be available; and the Zotac CI660, though announced long ago, still hasn't been released.

I'm thinking of getting a CI549 for now, and hope it works for what I want.

Has anyone out there got a good idea of what might best suit my needs? I'm having a hard time finding any good fanless options out there, except the ones mentioned above.

 

[confusis]

Have you considered any of the Intel NUC line?

 

[el01]

I would suggest looking into Logic Supply's fanless industrial PCs. They come in various sizes with various processors (most having Braswell quad-core Celerons), and you should be able to find something that fits your needs.

Also, you might wanna get your hands dirty with a few Raspberry Pi 3s/Zeroes (powerful enough [FWIH] to stream 1080P video, support for basic Linux (and Android+Windows 10 IOT), but those require a bit of setup, and may require a DAC if you don't like phone-quality audio...

What are your requirements for video/audio streaming? Do you need voice control options? Also, what is your budget? With this information, we can better detail options for you...

 

[tbessie]

Have you considered any of the Intel NUC line?

Yeah, I've been looking at those too. In the end I decided to get a Zotac CI549 nano, but I'll probably build myself a NUC system based on the 8th generation boards that are starting to be released, after they're all more readily available. Meanwhile, the Zotac will work for my needs.

- Tim

 

[tbessie]

I would suggest looking into Logic Supply's fanless industrial PCs. They come in various sizes with various processors (most having Braswell quad-core Celerons), and you should be able to find something that fits your needs.

Also, you might wanna get your hands dirty with a few Raspberry Pi 3s/Zeroes (powerful enough [FWIH] to stream 1080P video, support for basic Linux (and Android+Windows 10 IOT), but those require a bit of setup, and may require a DAC if you don't like phone-quality audio...

What are your requirements for video/audio streaming? Do you need voice control options? Also, what is your budget? With this information, we can better detail options for you...

Thanks for the info on Logic Supply - I'm getting a lot of good pointers in this search!

I don't mind building a system from scratch, but even the most powerful Raspberry Pi isn't as powerful as I want this system to be, nor do they have enough connectivity options for me.

As I mention above, I ended up getting a Zotac, but will likely build my own 8th generation NUC fanless system once everything's available easily. Budget is "under $1500" which allows me quite a lot of leeway. I'd like to be able to play 4k video, probably no need to stream it wirelessly tho'. I have a big beefy HTPC I built long ago, but in my small apartment that doesn't allow much room for anything else (I have a compact integrated amp with DVD player, but that's all), so I may replace that at some point with the fanless NUC I eventually build; it won't be able to hold as much storage as the current one (I have 3 SSDs in it at present), but I don't strictly need a ton of storage - 2tb would be enough for most of my needs.

- Tim

 

[Stevo_]

A nice small setup I usu is Asrock j5005 with a Morex 557B case and a Pico PSU, if you're building one up take a look, not tiny but less hassle for getting in and out of.

 

[DarekLogic]

I would suggest looking into Logic Supply's fanless industrial PCs. They come in various sizes with various processors (most having Braswell quad-core Celerons), and you should be able to find something that fits your needs.

Thanks for the shoutout!

It sounds like you've already picked up a system tbessie, but if you find yourself back in the market, we have a number of fanless NUC options (as well as our newly released NC100 fanned NUC system) that might suit your needs - https://www.logicsupply.com/products/features/nuc-computers.

 

[Duality92]

it's not fanless, but there's the ECS Liva Q, I doubt you'll get anything smaller. (Q2 is supposed to come out soon too)

 

[tbessie]

I did already get a Zotac; I'm going to use that for awhile, but I think I'm going to build my own mini-ITX-based 8th-gen Intel fanless computer. Ideally, I'd wait for the next generation that will have onboard Thunderbolt 3 (since almost no current mini-ITX boards have it except one ASROCK), but I will probably build based around existing boards and use that for awhile.

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks!

- Tim