Final Thoughts

Asrock's latest mini PC certainly is an exciting addition to the company'due south lineup, delivering even more CPU performance thanks to the adoption of Intel'southward Sandy Bridge processors. The flagship 252B model that we reviewed stomped the contest in many of our CPU-intensive tests, namely the application and encoding benchmarks. The Core i5 2520M had no problem outpacing the Vision 3D'southward Core i3/GeForce duo, the Phenom Two X2 560, nor the new A8-3850 APU.

Despite dominating the CPU-oriented charts, the CoreHT 252B wasn't exactly unstoppable. If yous intend to employ this HTPC for a coincidental solution to PC gaming, y'all'll probably desire to expect elsewhere as the Intel HD Graphics 3000 engine just doesn't cutting it. Relatively modern games such every bit But Cause ii are not even close to playable when using medium quality settings, with only 12fps at 1440x900, effectually three times less than what is required for an enjoyable experience.

Sandy Bridge'south graphics core provided less than one-half the performance of AMD's new A8-3850 APU and information technology was generally two steps backside the GeForce GT 425M as well. This was a disappointing result considering how much headway Asrock made with the Vision 3D in the gaming realm. At the same time, nosotros can't say nosotros didn't know what the HD Graphics 3000 engine is (and isn't) capable of going into this, having reviewed various Sandy Span chips already.

Overall, the CoreHT is in somewhat of an odd position. Nosotros think its CPU is overkill for an HTPC, while its GPU is too weak to peddle it as a coincidental living room gaming box. It's more than of a space-saving, ability-witting general purpose desktop computer. Those looking to perform tasks such as video encoding and editing equally well every bit image editing will like what the CoreHT has to offer. For strict HTPC usage, we retrieve the CoreHT is a pace back from the Vision 3D.

Then there is the toll. Asrock'due south early on Atom-based mini PCs were but $400 fully configured. Then the Core 100HT came along and the price nearly doubled, though the Core i3 370M model can be purchased these days for $560. That price skyrocketed even further with the arrival of Asrock's Vision 3D lineup and the base model still fetches $750 while the flagship 156B costs $930. Pricing of the new CoreHT serial is unclear as they're not available in the The states notwithstanding.

However, Asrock has stamped the flagship CoreHT with an MSRP of $800. Although that's not necessarily a bad toll, we feel the Vision 3D 137B provides better all-round performance for slightly less cash. It's important that the CoreHT doesn't devious too far due north of Asrock's $800 suggested toll, every bit similarly configured laptops aren't hard to come by in that territory, and users might exist hands swayed past the obvious benefits of owning complete mobile PC.

Although nosotros've asked, Asrock hasn't graced us with an MSRP for the mid-range CoreHT 231B, merely we believe this may be a meliorate value than the 252B. Every bit noted, the 252B'south CPU is also quick for a bones HTPC and its GPU isn't quick enough for a low-finish gaming solution, merely the 231B has a slower Core i3 2310M that should make for a reasonably priced media PC. In either case, living room gamers should seek something more substantial than Sandy Span's IGP.