Ongoing Dell Optiplex GX240 PVR - thoughts? (1 Viewer)

[d508dq]

Hi, all.

I've finally taken the plunge and made a start on the HTPC to be!!

Here's what I've got so far...

- A Dell Optiplex GX240 (desktop, not SFF)
- Samsung SP 200GB
- Gigabyte NVidia FX5200 (no gaming requirements, so hopefully this'll be enough)
- Hauppauge PVR-150 (retail w. remote control)

Once I've seen how that lot fits together I'll investigate...

- DVD RW (any suggestions for a nice quiet one?)
- MediaPortal installation and configuration
- More RAM (only 256MB at the moment... maybe optimistic?)
- Quieting the grinding PSU fan (occasionally noticable)

Any thoughts or recommendations? Any other successful PVRs / HTPCs based on Optiplex machines?

Cheers all!

 

[Tech Geek]

What CPU does the Dell have?

 

[d508dq]

GX240 CPU

It's a P4, 1.5ghz.

So, not exactly top notch, but as old as some of the kit lying about at my place.

 

[Tech Geek]

I think the suggested minimum is 1.8GHz but people have been running it on much slower CPUs.
You'll want AT LEAST 512MB of RAM or Windows XP runs slow. Not a good thing.
Otherwise it should be ok.

There's been recent discussion about CPU coolers and quiet DVD drives so take a look around.

 

[d508dq]

Dell Optiplex GX240 PVR

Thanks!

Not a problem to upgrade the RAM... XP is ok at the moment, but it's not having to do much. I'll put that on the list for next month!


Cheers.

 

[gxtracker]

The 1.5 CPU is more than enough. With a hardware encoding TV card like the PVR-150 i've seen people run MP installations on 800mhz systems - complete with DVD and DivX/XviD playback.

Definatly agree on upgrading to 512MB of memory. Anything more than that - especially without any gaming - would just be under-utilized.

As for queiting the system, there are a few avenues that you can venture down before buying new equipment.

- undervolting the CPU
- undervolting the chassis fans
- enable thermal FAN control for your GPU, CPU, PSU (if supported)
- increase case airflow with better cable routing