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<blockquote data-quote="elliottmc" data-source="post: 660160" data-attributes="member: 14268">Hi,If you build your own, you will get exactly the specification you want, but it will probably end up costing more. Bear in mind that you will need a licence for Windows (I would recommend Windows 7).MediaPortal does require a reasonably modern graphics card for full HD resolutions. I have a GeForce 210 card, and I cannot run it in 1920 x 1080 smoothly (video playback is fine but the UI stutters).Many of the budget PCs that you buy will have integrated graphics. Good modern integrated graphics should be fine, and of course you can add a dedicated graphics card if you need to.Personally the approach I have taken is to decide what case I want (it has to look nice in a living space) and then think about components. I think it is fair to say that if you have a fairly modern processor and a couple of GB RAM then you should be fine, so go for a motherboard from a reputable brand and a good chipset (I have generally had good results with NVidia chipsets) and with all the features you need (good onboard graphics, sound, gigabit ethernet, etc). At least this way you can try out the onboard graphics/sound and if you are not happy, slot in a card. Bear in mind that if you are using MP for TV you will need to keep enough expansion slots available for TV tuner cards.You'll need plenty of storage. I tend to use a small drive for the OS and a separate drive for media. That way you can expand your media storage without reinstalling the OS.As you can tell, I prefer to have a custom-built machine that I understand and that does everything I want. Sure it probably costs more initially, but if you use good components, it will last longer.Hope this helps.Mark</blockquote>

[QUOTE="elliottmc, post: 660160, member: 14268"] Hi, If you build your own, you will get exactly the specification you want, but it will probably end up costing more. Bear in mind that you will need a licence for Windows (I would recommend Windows 7). MediaPortal does require a reasonably modern graphics card for full HD resolutions. I have a GeForce 210 card, and I cannot run it in 1920 x 1080 smoothly (video playback is fine but the UI stutters). Many of the budget PCs that you buy will have integrated graphics. Good modern integrated graphics should be fine, and of course you can add a dedicated graphics card if you need to. Personally the approach I have taken is to decide what case I want (it has to look nice in a living space) and then think about components. I think it is fair to say that if you have a fairly modern processor and a couple of GB RAM then you should be fine, so go for a motherboard from a reputable brand and a good chipset (I have generally had good results with NVidia chipsets) and with all the features you need (good onboard graphics, sound, gigabit ethernet, etc). At least this way you can try out the onboard graphics/sound and if you are not happy, slot in a card. Bear in mind that if you are using MP for TV you will need to keep enough expansion slots available for TV tuner cards. You'll need plenty of storage. I tend to use a small drive for the OS and a separate drive for media. That way you can expand your media storage without reinstalling the OS. As you can tell, I prefer to have a custom-built machine that I understand and that does everything I want. Sure it probably costs more initially, but if you use good components, it will last longer. Hope this helps. Mark [/QUOTE]

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