Help me turn this into a HTPC

H

Heller

Weaksauce
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
68
got this old compaq that i fixed up (new hdd,ram) to get going as a nice HTPC for my tv.



here are the current specs of the machine,

ScreenShot004-3.jpg


ScreenShot001-4.jpg


ScreenShot002-5.jpg


ScreenShot003-3.jpg



I've never had an HTPC and i have some questions.

is this machine powerful enough to play HD content via the on board graphics? or should i invest in an inexpensive video card with hdmi out?(suggestions if so?)

would this machine befit much from popping a X2 cpu in it? I believe i have a socket AM2 board, i bet i could find a second hand cpu rather cheap, if the performance increase would be worth it.

one last thing, this case is extremely big/bulky/extremely beaten up/old, could you guys recommend a small form factor replacement or a inexpensive htpc case?


thanks in advance fellas, cheers[wink]
 
What functions do you want it to serve? i.e. ripping dvd's, watching blu ray, etc.
 
watching HD video, torrents and lil web surfing, might play Counter strike if i ever get the urge, but that runs on Atari :D
 
i think that system will not handle HD playback, maybe if you added a Nvidia 8 series GPU like a 8400 or 8600 to it so it can take the load off the rest of the system, but you would still be held back by that cpu, could be wrong, but thats the only way i see that particular setup being able to playback HD smoothly

my suggestion is to find a decent dual core cpu to go with that AM2 motherboard you have, then find a cheap 8400GS or something a little better for a GPU
 
well you will most likely, at the very least, need an updated vid card in order to watch HD with that proc. You might want to try the vid card before buying a dual core proc. though as it may work just fine for you; people have used the single core atom as a base for an htpc with success, as long as you dont need to hulu etc. anyway. If you plan on using hulu and other sites you will prob need to update the proc as well.
 
What is the tv your trying to hook it to? What connections does it have?
 
The specs aren't that good, it won't make that decent of an HTPC. I wouldn't bother with it.
 
90nm = No

It produces far FAR too much heat for what little use it gives. HTPCs of old were either expensive as hell (1000+) or loud which negates the term HTPC in my view.

You have an XP licence. That saves you a benny. Now you must focus on a bare minimum HTPC.

CPU: I suggest this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698 Yes it is single core but it is going to run VERY cool at low levels. You may even consider passively cooling it. (40 USD)

GPU: 4550 A tad more expensive but vastly superior to most chipsets. Will give you 7.1 LPCM and enough power to play I would say HL2 Episode 2 and of course Blu Ray playback without taxing the CPU. This one is passive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102819 (45 USD)

For a mobo the others can answer better but under 80 will do.
 
sell what you have and pickup a be5050 and 8300 based MB, you'll be out $125 for those 2 but should make most of it back from selling your gear.
 
Why would anyone want to go with 65nm these days. The prices have not dropped enough of them in my view and 65w? why? This is an HTPC.
 
Omegas said:
sell what you have and pickup a be5050 and 8300 based MB, you'll be out $125 for those 2 but should make most of it back from selling your gear.
Click to expand...

8300 correct me if I am wrong but is that not one of those 65nm cores? Tho those Nvidia chipsets do support 7.1 In my opinion a separate ATI 4550 would be a better investment.
 
Zachstar said:
Why would anyone want to go with 65nm these days. The prices have not dropped enough of them in my view and 65w? why? This is an HTPC.
Click to expand...

It's called "working with what you have" Since this is a compaq, and the XP licience is tied to this motherboard, I suggested he buy the 65nm 4800X2. If he sells this (tower only) hes lucky to get enought $$ to buy a new OS. Then have to buy EVERYTHING for the HTPC. A 4800X2 and a 8400-8600 gpu will tide him over.
 
gwarren007 said:
It's called "working with what you have" Since this is a compaq, and the XP licience is tied to this motherboard, I suggested he buy the 65nm 4800X2. If he sells this (tower only) hes lucky to get enought $$ to buy a new OS. Then have to buy EVERYTHING for the HTPC. A 4800X2 and a 8400-8600 gpu will tide him over.
Click to expand...


it will work quite well actually, see my system in sig, it plays anything i throw at it fine on a 46" HDTV via HDMI with only a 7600 GPU, although the Opteron 165 is overclocked a bit, from 1.8Ghz to 2.7Ghz....but a 4800 X2 is going to be about the same level of performance on the CPU side of things and the 8 series GPU would lessen the load on the system a ton to boot....

i like this recommendation ^^ :)
 
gwarren007 said:
It's called "working with what you have" Since this is a compaq, and the XP licience is tied to this motherboard, I suggested he buy the 65nm 4800X2. If he sells this (tower only) hes lucky to get enought $$ to buy a new OS. Then have to buy EVERYTHING for the HTPC. A 4800X2 and a 8400-8600 gpu will tide him over.
Click to expand...

You do have quite a point there. I do still think the ATI 4550 is a good investment tho.
 
gwarren007 said:
It's called "working with what you have" Since this is a compaq, and the XP licience is tied to this motherboard, I suggested he buy the 65nm 4800X2. If he sells this (tower only) hes lucky to get enought $$ to buy a new OS. Then have to buy EVERYTHING for the HTPC. A 4800X2 and a 8400-8600 gpu will tide him over.
Click to expand...

looks like im be lookin for someones second parts. thanks for the suggestion :cool:


does that series(S) of video cards have HDMI out? that's what in really looking for, otherwise i guess i would need a dvi cable and a 3.5mm male/male aux cable?
 
The card Zachstar linked to has HDMI out, otherwise youd need a 9400gt or so...
 
At this point, there's no reason to go with NV's 8000 series cards. Outdated compared to any of the recent lowend cards.
 
gwarren007 said:
Was thinking of a quick and dirty..
Rather than spending the $$ on a new card :D
Click to expand...

Well, you're talking about an average of $30/40 which is exactly the same price range of a 4350/4550 which are much much better then a 8400/8600 series card.
 
Yes I strongly suggest going with the 4550. It is an extremely powerful card for the price. And like I said 7.1 crystal clear LPCM.
 
gwarren007 said:
I was thinking $15 off the forums for the 8400
Click to expand...

Which is still $15 wasted on a card that he's going to have to replace when he realises that this little box is crap as an HTPC. A newer card means he can pick up more recent, cheaper parts to make a decent little HTPC box that would be HD capable.
 
CrimandEvil said:
Which is still $15 wasted on a card that he's going to have to replace when he realises that this little box is crap as an HTPC. A newer card means he can pick up more recent, cheaper parts to make a decent little HTPC box that would be HD capable.
Click to expand...

And the 4550 will do even more than that. Such as good quality TF2 or HL2 ESP 2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top