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ASRock Vision 3D (Core i3-370M, Blu-ray Combo)

19 Oct 2010

ASRock's Vision 3D small form factor PC brings 3D entertainment to your living room. With its Core based processor and a GeForce GT425M, it delivers both performance and ease of use in a compact stylish package.

Tags: nvidia 3d vision, asrock, htpc

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HWZ's Overall Rating: 9.0

Design:

8.5

Features:

8.5

Performance:

Value:

Excellent performance

Plays HD content including 3D Blu-ray like a champ

Packed with features

Lacks an internal TV tuner option

Expensive

<div id="product-review" class="article">
			<h2 class="header-green">ASRock Vision 3D - the Ultimate HTPC?</h2>
		<span class="byline">Reviewed by Vincent Chang on Monday, 01 Nov 2010</span>
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		 		<h2 class="page-title">Is this the Ultimate HTPC?</h2>
		 		<h3 class="page_title">Is this the Ultimate HTPC?</h3>
<p>It's a question that we usually address near the end of a review, not at the beginning. But a glance at the specs of the ASRock Vision 3D convinced us that we were dealing with an extremely competent PC that home theater PC&nbsp;(HTPC)&nbsp;enthusiasts have been lusting after for the longest time. Dare we hope that those dreams of a small form factor, low-power PC&nbsp;that can satisfy all your media cravings are about to come true?</p>
<p>Almost.</p>
<p>Before we go into its few shortcomings, let's take note of its many positives. The ASRock Vision 3D&nbsp;series of mini PCs is what ASRock dubs these compact desktop machines geared for media consumption. While there are six different models with slight variations in their specifications, they share the same foundation, namely, an Intel Core i3 or i5 mobile processor and an NVIDIA's GeForce GT&nbsp;425M capable of supporting NVIDIA's 3D&nbsp;Vision (hence the name). If you're looking to save a few bucks or a fervent believer of digital distribution of content, you can opt to get the DVD&nbsp;combo drive instead of the Blu-ray version.</p>
<p>Besides the optical storage option, you can only vary the grade of the processor. The other specs, like its 4GB&nbsp;SODIMM&nbsp;DDR3 1066MHz memory, the ASRock HM55 based motherboard with up to three USB&nbsp;3.0 ports, the 2.5-inch 500GB&nbsp;7200RPM&nbsp;hard drive and the integrated Wi-Fi module are all standard. As you can tell, it's a pretty solid system in a form factor that usually limits one to more anemic specs like integrated graphics. Not for this little system though.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="346" width="500" title="ASRock's Vision 3D series of small form factor PCs is its most powerful yet, with specs that target the high-end HTPC enthusiast. Our review unit comes with a Core i3 processor, 3D Vision capable NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M, 3x USB 3.0 ports and a Blu-ray combo drive. " src="/files/images/Main_15.jpg" alt="" /></p>			</div>
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	<span class="label" style="">Tags:</span> <a href="/product-guide/all/reviews/tagged/748-nvidia-3d-vision">nvidia 3d vision</a>, <a href="/product-guide/all/reviews/tagged/1194-asrock">asrock</a>, <a href="/product-guide/all/reviews/tagged/1230-htpc">htpc</a></div>
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Desktop Systems Guide

ASRock Vision 3D (Core i3-370M, Blu-ray Combo)

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