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ASRock CoreHT Server Edition Review

 by Vivek Gowri on February 16, 2012 9:00 AM EST
44 Comments | Add A Comment
44 Comments

Closing Thoughts

The CoreHT Server is quite simply just a different version of the CoreHT series HTPC, and quite a good one. We really liked the CoreHT when we reviewed it last year, and the Server edition solves our major functional complaint with increased storage capacity and hard drive performance. Another way to go about improving disk-related performance would be to have a smaller solid state boot drive with a secondary 1TB hard drive for media storage, but this solution would potentially increase the cost (depending on the choice of SSD).

In terms of media handling, we didn't notice any changes with the CoreHT Server Edition. That's not necessarily a bad thing, considering the CoreHT ranked pretty high among HTPCs. However, the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics are not at the same level in terms of media support as, for instance, the newly released HD 7750. What's more, as with the CoreHT, there's no option to upgrade the graphics to something more potent. While we understand the attraction of a small and sleek HTPC, there are reasons to go with a larger HTPC chassis.

Other than that, our conclusions remain similar to the ones we had with the CoreHT 252B. We’d like to see more premium industrial design and build quality from ASRock, with a more elegant design along with higher end touches like a slot-loading drive and a more aesthetically pleasing remote design. Otherwise, the CoreHT and CoreHT Server offer a solid and unobtrusive HTPC for a decent value, and for that we commend ASRock.

ASRock CoreHT Server Edition - Heat and Power
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  • beginner99 - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    ...and hdd combo?

    For HTPC purpose, the ssd alone would be enough because anyone considering to pay as much fro a HTPC probably already has a NAS or a lot of storage space in his desktop.

    The hdd would just be not to scare away people that would like to use it as a tiny desktop or just because of the low numbers on the tech sheet .

  • VMguy - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    An HTPC review without any indication of db output? For shame!

    At least let us know if the second disk accounts for any additional noise relative to the 252B.

    Thanks

  • VivekGowri - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    Sorry, I wasn't equipped to test noise level, but I wouldn't expect noise levels to change significantly. It's seriously exactly the same unit, just with two HDDs; if you were hitting the storage pretty hard maybe you'd see a marginal increase in noise output compared to the 252B, but I have difficulty believing it'd be anything more than negligible/error margin.

  • VMguy - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    Sorry, I just checked back on the 252B review and found that there were no noise output measurements there either... Doh!

    For me, hearing the whir of a fan (or BD) during quieter segments of a movie is pretty annoying. Any plans to add this to the review template?

    Thanks

  • VivekGowri - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/4713/asrock-coreht-2...

  • cjs150 - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link

    Now I understand

    Way too loud.

    As VMGuy said "For me, hearing the whir of a fan (or BD) during quieter segments of a movie is pretty annoying. "

    Totally agree - in fact my stand alone BD player annoys me, which is my I am looking to rip everything onto the NAS (in basement so who cares about noise) and then stream, so my HTPC should have no BD noise, preferably no fan. Nothing comes close as yet but have high hopes of something based on Raspberry Pi or CuBox or even E-450 fusion

  • Death666Angel - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    I like tiny HTPCs. I built myself a Llano system in a small enclosure (http://preview.tinyurl.com/88djyte).
    The thing I find a bit puzzling about this config is the HDDs. RAID0 doesn't make a lot of sense. :-)

  • darckhart - Thursday, February 16, 2012 - link

    that's a rather beautiful enclosure. do you have model number/details?
    in fact, i'm looking into building a small htpc for my parents. would you mind to pm me details of yours?

  • NCM - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link

    Beautiful? Seriously?

  • pat38 - Friday, February 17, 2012 - link

    Any one see this REAL HTPC

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lanmatehk/1803044619...

    Lanmate hk mini pc
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