[pszab]

- Can I attach an external BluRay optical drive to the NUC?

Yes, it has two USB2.0 ports in the back and one in the front. However, it does not have USB3.0 which was one of your criteria. For Bluetooth you could also add a bluetooth USB dongle. For an SSD you'll need an mSATA SSD.

- What are the advantages of having 2 HDMI output ports ? What would it be useful for?

Dual displays -- two monitors.

Dual display with the same content (I think this one) or different content on each display?
Thanks

[Dougie Fresh]

Dual display with the same content (I think this one) or different content on each display?
Thanks

According to the Intel specs: "The board features dual HDMI* ports to offer dual display capabilities".

For Windows at least, you can extend your displays or clone them, e.g. the PC I am on right now has two monitors and I have the left one as the primary display and I've extended that display to the right one like it's one big monitor. It's not something I ever use for HTPC, just my office PC.

[bluray]

It seems Windows is more ready for audio and video hd playback isnt it? If so, i can take the linux requirement out of the list and just install windows

Windows supports all audio condecs on all GPU's.....

So you have the NUC? you have it on Windows or Linux?

Also guys, what would you recommend if I take Linux out of the list ? Taking into account that Windows would run as fast as Linux

I don't have NUC, and I never use Linux either. Windows is my only choice. I own Intel HD4000 iGPU, and it can playback everything I threw at it. The NUC with Intel HD4000 iGPU should be able to do the same thing, and I'm planning to buy a NUC for my home theater system in the den.....here is a great thread on the NUC- Intel NUC - HTPC possibilities.....the NUC users seems to likes it a lot....

[Dougie Fresh]

Sorry to ask, what's i3-3220-T ? is it a different version as i3-3220 ? Will the i3-3220 be enough for 3D/1080 playback?

I'm asking because my local store have this: https://www.pcfactory.cl/producto/11873-...%281155%29

is it the same as you're recommending?

Thanks

The 'T' versions of Intel's processors are low-power processors with lower clock speeds intended to keep below a certain TDP threshold (in this case 35W). It has Intel 2500 HD graphics and is a 2.8Ghz. I too will do 3D/1080p playback. It's just a low power version of the i3-3220 which is a 65W TDP processor running at 3.3Ghz. The 'T' version also come with a low-profile CPU heatsink/fan which makes them ideal for mini-ITX cases that don't have a lot of height.

[Faire]

Sorry to ask, what's i3-3220-T ? is it a different version as i3-3220 ? Will the i3-3220 be enough for 3D/1080 playback?

I'm asking because my local store have this: https://www.pcfactory.cl/producto/11873-...%281155%29

is it the same as you're recommending?

Thanks

The 'T' versions of Intel's processors are low-power processors with lower clock speeds intended to keep below a certain TDP threshold (in this case 35W). It has Intel 2500 HD graphics and is a 2.8Ghz. I too will do 3D/1080p playback. It's just a low power version of the i3-3220 which is a 65W TDP processor running at 3.3Ghz. The 'T' version also come with a low-profile CPU heatsink/fan which makes them ideal for mini-ITX cases that don't have a lot of height.

Thanks a lot. I guess the version at my local store wont be helpful then if i want to keep things small

[Dougie Fresh]

Thanks a lot. I guess the version at my local store wont be helpful then if i want to keep things small

It just depends on the case you use whether or not you need a low-profile CPU heatsink/fan.

[oldpoem]

I built my new HTPC with this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128567

And with i3 that has HD4000, it would run anything you throw at.

If you don't like Intel iGPU performance you can add Nvidia discrete card later.

[Faire]

I built my new HTPC with this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128567

And with i3 that has HD4000, it would run anything you throw at.

If you don't like Intel iGPU performance you can add Nvidia discrete card later.

I guess that graphic chip will be enough for 1080/3D. The only problem is that I cant find it here (Chile) and Neither Amazon nor newegg ships that particular product internationally.

[Dougie Fresh]

I guess that graphic chip will be enough for 1080/3D. The only problem is that I cant find it here (Chile) and Neither Amazon nor newegg ships that particular product internationally.

You can get it custom build for you and shipped if that's what you wanted and could not find it to build it yourself. Otherwise, if you can get the i3 NUC, that's a good choice along with the memory, SSD, bluetooth dongle and external blu-ray ODD.

[Faire]

Sorry guys, Ive taken the linux requirement out of my list. I will go for Windows 8.

So my question is:

AMD FM1 A6 3500, FM1 A8-3850, FM1 A8-3870K, FM2 A6-5400K OR FM2 A8-5600K

Im so confused :S