ECS HDC-1 Performance Review, Completely for HTPC

This device offers an HTPC feature with the inclusion of a multimedia keyboard Bluetooth connection. ECS presents a unique solution for those who want to build an HTPC. One of the unique offerings that are already installed AMD processors E-350 permanently. So you no longer need to choose the processor itself. However, this causes you can not perform the upgrade. Chipset-based Hudson-M1 (A50M), you will find that there are two memory slots that can accommodate a maximum of 8 GB of memory. This product is also equipped with onboard graphics chip ATI Radeon HD6310-based. This graphics chip is sufficient to meet middle needs. In addition, the product also supports DirectX 11 and UVD3 that transfer the video decoding process from processor to graphics chip.

Using a mini-ITX size is quite small, ECS HDC-I keeps trying to present the latest features for modern computing activities. This is evident from SATA3 ports availability (including eSATA). There are also a USB3.0 port and support for both analog and digital output display. ECS HDC-I inserts a mini PCI Express x1 slot in the area near the processor. This slot can be used to accommodate a WiFi card that already bundled in the package. You can just install the card and connect the cable to an antenna mounted on the rear motherboard. Mini slot because it is a consequence physical mini-ITX form that fairly narrow.

A somewhat different also included a multimedia keyboard. The keyboard is smaller than a standard keyboard because it is not accompanied by numeric keys. So layout buttons similar to a laptop keyboard, complete with multimedia keys. Uniquely in the left and right sides keyboard is equipped with a handle and comes with a controller like a button on a console. Looking at its performance, ECS HDC-I really only suitable for light computing and multimedia activities. If you want to do heavy tasks, such as rendering video or images, may be overheating and the system will be hang. This device allows you to build a practical HTPC. This is supported by completeness features and performance advantages that pretty good. Moreover, the ECS warranty period is fairly long compared to most others.

Testing results

Specification

For HTPC Its designation for HTPC, modern and old port here. There is also a Bluetooth dongle for connection to a keyboard.

1 Bluetooth Connection This multimedia Keyboard product is small. However, this keyboard has a lot of extra function keys. All the function keys are quite comfortable to use for all multimedia or gaming activities.

Mini PCIe Due to mini-ITX size relatively small, provided a mini-PCI Express slot that serves as a Wi-Fi adapter.

Conclusion

Plus: Great for HTPC; already equipped processor; low power consumption; SATA3 completely; have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB3.0; included multimedia keyboard.

Minus: Heat when asked to work extra hard; processor can not be upgraded; graphics slot bandwidth is only x4.

Score Assessment
 - Performance: 3.75
 - Facilities: 3.9
 - Ease: 3.75
 - Price: 4.25
 - Total Score: 3.9

Test Platform:
Kingston Memory 2 GB x2 DDR3-1333, onboard graphics card, hard drive Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM 320 GB, PSU Silverstone OP700, Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit