Mini-PC (Core i3-560, 4GB RAM, GT430 GPU) Windows Experience Index

[Andrew1975]

Proposed Specification:

Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i3-560 Dual Core (3.33GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics
Motherboard INTEL® DH57JG: H57 Express Chipset, 10-Channel HD Audio, 2x DDR3
Memory (RAM) 4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)
Graphics Card 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT430 - DVI,HDMI,VGA - DirectX® 11
Hard Disk 1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Sound Card ONBOARD 10 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options 8 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables 1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE (£8)
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 13 working days

Price: £533.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-core-mini-pc/

Hi there! This seems like a popular specification. A Core i3 with a choice of GPU. Good segment! I wonder if you could help with the following, please:

Performance:- I really want to know how well this will play Crysis / Flight Simulator X but wondered if anyone in build and test has run the Windows Experience Index on this (or similar) spec?
Audio:- I have existing analogue 5.1 speakers (3x 3.5mm stereo jack inputs).
- Does this have only SPDIF out or does it also have analogue jacks?
Noise:- Being a customer, I want it all of course! I know it isn't silent, but neither are boxes like the PS3 and some HDD/DVD Recorders.
- Can you help me understand how loud this box will be, please?

TV Tuner Cards:- You've got a good standard HTPC here, would you consider adding TV Tuner cards?
- Are there any spare slots inside the case for a TV Tuner card or do I need to consider USB?

Keyboard / Mouse:- I also need to go elsewhere to get a wireless keyboard with integrated trackpad thingy.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

[PCS]

Welcome to our forums

1. Performance wise this PC will play Crysis/Flight Simulator X, however it's not designed as a gaming PC and you will not get great FPS. This is largely due to the mid-range CPU and entry/mid range graphics that you have selected. For gaming I would suggest a standard desktop PC with the best graphics card for your budget.

2. This PC has analog audio jacks.

3. This PC will be louder than your PS3 and HDD recorder - it contains fans for the motherboard, PSU and CPU. It's hard to state exactly how noisy it will be, because what may be quiet to me may be noisy to you. For the quietest option consider a standard desktop PC with additional CPU cooling.

4. Unfortunately there are no spare slots to add TV tuner cards in this specification.

 

[Andrew1975]

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[Meds]

It depends which PS3 you have. I have the original (fat one) and I can tell you now that when it gets going it's louder than these mini PCs! I think the slim line ones are supposed to be quieter than the fat ones but I've never used one.

 

[PCS]

Also - you can now order a TV card with our Mini PC's, but not with a dedicated graphics card. There is only one PCI-E slot so you'll have to choose between one or the other. Consider ordering an external TV card?

 

[Maxweel]

Hi,

I bought almost the same configuration about a month ago and back then I was also looking for details on the Window Experience Index. In case someone is interested:
Processor i3-560: 7.1
NVIDIA GT-430: 4 for the Windows Aero performance, 6.3 for the actual graphics performance
HD WD caviar 1TB: 5.9
RAM (4GB): 5.9