converting older pc to htpc (1 Viewer)

[ShagNasty]

Can anyone tell me if this is possible? I want to know if I can get away with simply upgrading my video card in this older, probably early 2000's computer so I can have an HTPC in my living room...it is a big bulky case, but will be somewhat hidden in a corner.

running XP pro SP3 (possibly will install Ubuntu/dual boot)
Pentium 4 CPU 1.6GHz
512 MB RAM

so much

I ask because I've been reading how much power the newer video cards have, and that they do most of the work, so can I actually get away with this old a$$ processor? I imagine I'll need some more RAM. Also, if it matters it'll be mainly for movies and audio, as I'm really not much of a gamer right now...

 

[elliottmc]

Hi,

I guess the first issue is RAM. 512 MB is not enough, and what type of memory is it - DDR2?

A 1.6GHz CPU will probably be just about okay, but that will depend on many factors - bus speed, memory speed. Adding a new graphics card is not a cure-all for running a graphically intensive program.

Coming on to that, what sort of graphics card slot to you have - PCIe or AGP? If you only have AGP then chances are you will struggle to find a graphics card that is powerful enough, and it also tells us something about the age of your motherboard.

In short, it is difficult to give you a useful answer without having a lot more information about your system.

Best wishes,

Mark

 

[ShagNasty]

Or maybe I'll just buy something like this:

and then if needed swap out the video card? I think that's what I'll do...but I hate to leave two old pc's sitting around collecting dust.

 

[bhengeveld]

I run on a P4 2.8 GHz/2 GB/Nvidia GF210 PCIe; full HD MKV are playing since I installed the el-cheapo 210.

 

[elliottmc]

Or maybe I'll just buy something like this:

and then if needed swap out the video card? I think that's what I'll do...but I hate to leave two old pc's sitting around collecting dust.

80GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, XP Pro?????? Sounds pretty old to me. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I'd almost guarantee that it has low power integrated graphics, and do you know if it has a PCIe slot?

Edit - it does have a PCIe slot, but has ATI X300 integrated graphics, which really are terrible. Been there, done that. Best way to accelerate that chipset is 9.85 m/sec2 from a tall building.

You'd be far better off getting a decent cheap motherboard with good onboard graphics, along with a CPU and decent RAM.

Mark

 

[wetzel402]

I am also rebuilding an old PC. First thing you need to address is what type of RAM your PC uses. Also you need to find out if your motherboard is running integrated graphics/processing as well as if you are running PCI or PCIe (express). I am starting with a little more machine as far as processor (2.8Ghz P4) but I have no idea what your graphics card/chip set is like.

Building it up cheaply is actually quite easy if you find parts via ebay and pawn/flee markets. It is fun to be able say you built your own HTPC

My only problem is finding a cheap TV tuner card that works with MP and tunes ATSC (the new digital TV standard). Currently I am eyeing a V-BOX - DT150 card for just over $50 with shipping.

Hope this helps!