A ready-made factory media player for a home theater and, even more so, a multi-disk file storage (abbreviated NAS) are often unreasonably expensive, both for their limited functionality and the complete lack of upgradeability. It is much smarter to assemble a compact computer with an energy-efficient processor for these tasks. The main thing is to make sure that the proc is capable of hardware playback of modern video codecs H265 and VP9, the first is used for 4K movies, and the second for YouTube videos. And the motherboard and PC case are able to connect and accommodate at least two drives to create a mirrored RAID 1 array. As a result, files will be automatically duplicated on two drives, and even if one of them breaks, the information will not be lost.
Biostar J4125NHU is a motherboard with a processor
Reasons to buy: Soldered quad-core Celeron processor, completely silent cooling, compatible with DIMM DDR4 memory.
Reasons not to buy: If you need CPU upgradeability.
Biostar J4125NHU is an ultra-compact Mini-ITX motherboard with a soldered Intel Celeron J4125 processor. Compared to the previous J4105, the novelty received a 200 MHz higher turbo frequency and a 500 MHz base frequency. Moreover, the second is probably even more important, because due to completely passive, i.e., fanless cooling, the processor will work at the base frequency most of the time. Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel audio codec and two HDMI+VGA video outputs are added.
Unlike most other motherboards with soldered processors, Biostar's creation works with full-sized RAM DIMMs, not laptop SO-DIMMs. There is also a PCIe x16 video card slot, which, however, can be used for any expansion card: sound, network, video recording. Or for the card to increase the number of SATA ports to create a multi-disk NAS server, because the motherboard has only two of its own. But there is one M.2 slot for SSD, albeit limited by PCIe 2.0 x2 speed.
Patriot Viper 4 Blackout is a 2x8 GB memory kit
Reasons to buy: Ready-made two-channel set, high frequency of 3200 MHz with low CL16 timings, automatic XMP overclocking, metal radiators.
Reasons not to buy: If you like memory that glows.
Patriot Viper 4 Blackout is a strict-looking RAM without backlight, but with thick-walled metal radiators painted in black. The trick is the adjustable height of the radiators: the upper "horns" can be dismantled to fit even in a thin mini-PC case. The Blackout series includes individual modules and paired sets, volumes from 8 to 32 gigabytes, frequencies from 3000 to 4133 MHz. Automatic overclocking is done by pressing a single XMP button in the BIOS settings menu.
The most universal frequency supported by most Intel and AMD processors of the last few generations is 3200 MHz. Even if your computer does not yet support the 3200 MHz frequency, it is still worth buying it. The price difference compared to slower memory is minimal, but fast memory will definitely come in handy in a future PC upgrade. Moreover, the timings (delays) are not standard JEDEC, but reduced. The exact formula is CL16-20-20-40 at a supply voltage of 1.35 volts.
Mibrand Spider is a half-terabyte SSD drive
Reasons to buy: Classic 2.5" SATA 3 format, backward compatibility with SATA 2 and SATA 1, speed up to 550 MB/s, wear-resistant 3D TLC flash memory.
Reasons not to buy: Does not fit in thin ultrabooks.
Mibrand Spider is a solid-state drive from a young brand from the Czech Republic, but made in Taiwan. The Spider series includes models from 120 to 480 GB. Made in the classic 2.5" SATA 3 format, which to this day is probably the most universal. Suitable for upgrading old computers and laptops, including SATA 2 and even SATA 1, and for building new PCs from scratch. The only exception is thin ultrabooks, which simply do not fit a 7 mm thick disk.It is based on the RayMX RM1135 controller from Realtek, known primarily for its sound and network chips. Flash memory is represented by 3D TLC, which records only three bits of information in each memory cell. As a result, it is significantly more wear-resistant than four-bit QLC. The theoretical read and write speeds are 550 and 460 MB/s. In practice, the speed indicators are even slightly higher - 550 and 500 MB/s, respectively. The time of trouble-free operation is declared by the manufacturer at the level of 1.5 million hours.
Chieftec BU-12B-300 is a compact case with BZ
Reasons to buy: Compact size, can install 3.5 HDD and optical drive, 300 W power supply and 8 cm fan included.
Reasons not to buy: Fits only low-profile GPU.
Chieftec BU-12B-300 is a thin case for assembling a PC based on a Mini-ITX motherboard. Unlike most competitors that use an external power supply unit, the BJ is installed inside. Chieftec's own production, TFX format, 300 W power and 80 PLUS Bronze energy efficiency certificate. There is also an 8-centimeter blow-in fan installed inside. The height of the processor cooler is allowed up to 6.5 cm, so both Intel and AMD boxes and cooler third-party solutions will fit.
Ultra-compact PC assemblies usually rely on a video card built into the processor, but a discrete one is still placed in the case: low-profile, but two-slot, up to 15 cm long. GeForce GTX 1650 and Radeon RX 6400 are found in this version. The disk subsystem can be assembled from a 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5" SSD and even a thin optical disc drive. The latter can be useful when building a home theater with the ability to watch movies from Blu-ray discs. The body is made of strong steel 0.5 mm thick.
Seagate IronWolf Pro — HDD of increased reliability
Reasons to buy: Suitable for 24/7 work, large cache of 256 MB, branded technologies Seagate AgileArray, IronWolf Health Management and RV sensors.
Reasons not to buy: If you do not plan 24/7 operation.
Seagate IronWolf Pro is a series of high-reliability hard drives designed for NAS-storage, both home and corporate. If for the more affordable Seagate BarraCuda, the 8/5 operating mode is recommended, that is, a typical eight hours a day for five working days a week. IronWolf Pro is able to work 24/7, round the clock and non-stop. The storage capacity varies from 2 to 20 TB, the cache volume is strictly 256 MB, and the recording algorithm is purely fast CMR.
Multi-plate versions of 12 terabytes and above are filled with helium instead of air. The time of uninterrupted operation can reach 2.5 million hours, and the rewriting resource is 550 TB per year. Many Seagate proprietary technologies are used: AgileArray to optimize the performance of multi-disk NAS storage and RV sensors to reduce vibration. For its part, IronWolf Health Management allows you to monitor the health of the disk in real time. Rescue Data Recovery, a professional information recovery service, is added.
REAL-EL S-2070 is a three-way speaker system
Reasons to buy: Total power 150 W, three-way speakers, playback via AUX, S/PDIF and Bluetooth, Karaoke function.
Reasons not to buy: If you have a small area of the room.
REAL-EL S-2070 is a three-way home theater stereo system. Satellites made of a wooden MDF board almost a meter high will look impressive next to a large-diagonal TV. Each satellite is equipped with separate speakers for reproduction of different sound frequencies: 1-inch for high, 4-inch for medium and 10-inch for low. The total reproduced frequency range is 20 - 20,000 Hz, and the RMS sound power is 2x75 W. Built-in equalizer and remote control are provided.
The optimized crossover and stereo Bi-amping amplifier are responsible for the sound quality. This means that the amplifier does not emit side noise, and the speakers are connected directly to the amplifier, without intermediaries. Which in turn allows you to adjust each speaker separately. The audio signal can be played from various sources: analog AUX, digital S/PDIF, memory card, USB flash drive and, of course, wireless Bluetooth 5.0. There are also connectors for two Karaoke microphones (purchased separately).
