I'm looking to build/buy a fanless front-end/extender box to run XBMC on Linux, possibly openELEC. I don't need an optical drive, I don't need it to transcode, I just need to to render the UI without trouble handle whatever add-ons, and playback dvd, blu-ray or ATSC content that will be shared via SMB. I need just enough drive to boot from (I'll go with an mSATA or 2.5" SSD, maybe a USB stick).
I've identified a few possible cases like the Streacom or the HD-Plex. What I'm wondering about is the platform. I'm considering either an Nvidia ION w/ Atom or Ivy Bridge w/ the Intel integrated GPU.
With the ION, I'm comfortable enough with nvidia under Linux to be pretty sure this will handle the video output, but I'm concerned about the UI being responsive.
With the Ivy Bridge (probably an i3), I doubt I'll have any UI troubles, but I don't know how well supported the Intel HD GPUs are under Linux. Also it'll generate more heat and even if the case I pick can handle it, it's one more thing to worry about.
Any advice or suggestions?
I've identified a few possible cases like the Streacom or the HD-Plex. What I'm wondering about is the platform. I'm considering either an Nvidia ION w/ Atom or Ivy Bridge w/ the Intel integrated GPU.
With the ION, I'm comfortable enough with nvidia under Linux to be pretty sure this will handle the video output, but I'm concerned about the UI being responsive.
With the Ivy Bridge (probably an i3), I doubt I'll have any UI troubles, but I don't know how well supported the Intel HD GPUs are under Linux. Also it'll generate more heat and even if the case I pick can handle it, it's one more thing to worry about.
Any advice or suggestions?