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<blockquote data-quote="dcwp" data-source="post: 412138" data-attributes="member: 25562">Isn't is odd how a little tweaking can turn into major upgrading and from there into obsessive rennovation?&nbsp; A little over a month ago I decided maybe I should finally upgrade my PCI vid card to take advantage of HD streams from the web and QAM.&nbsp; I really didn't intend to spend much money or time, in fact I started a thread in the Hardware Selection forum asking about tolerable vid cards around $50.&nbsp; I figured that if I did a minor upgrade, maybe even spent as much as $100, then I could enjoy HD cable and the streams on Boxee.&nbsp; Fortunately, after a period of denial, the MP community helped me realize that upgrading my PCI card would only get me so far and that a new MoBo with integrated graphics, plus a better processor would be preferred.&nbsp; So I jumped in, spent a (very) little more than planned and that's when I started this thread.&nbsp; As documented here, I've done considerably more than just upgrading my graphics chip.&nbsp; In fact today I put in an order for a new case (Silverstone LC04) and a couple of Nexus Real Silent 80mm fans.&nbsp; With these new parts, the entire PC will have been replaced since February; only peripherals and displays remain.&nbsp; Plus I am starting to think of where to go next - better wall furniture, surround sound, more sound proofing, RF remote, etc.&nbsp; So my little $50 upgrade got a bit out of control, but the best part is that I still haven't spent much more than that.&nbsp; I set a rule for myself (ok, more of a guideline) that I can only purchase things that can be paid out of my existing PayPal balance and set to work cleaning out the attic.&nbsp; Between some old junk in the attic and the components that have been replaced in my old HTPC, I've paid for basically everything but the RAM (bought in a local shop) by selling old junk!&nbsp; This means I've basically gotten a new HTPC&nbsp; free (plus paid a self-imposed &quot;upgrade tax&quot; as donation to Team-MediaPortal) and also cleaned out the attic so my wife will be thrilled when she gets home from working out of town.&nbsp; <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin&nbsp; &nbsp; :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />Anyway, I'm starting to run out of steam.&nbsp; More precisely I'm running out of junk.&nbsp; If I can come up with another trove of ebay-worthy junk then I'll start upgrading again, but until then it looks like I've reached junk-goodness equilibrium.&nbsp; I'll be sure to post details and pics when I get the new case.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="dcwp, post: 412138, member: 25562"] Isn't is odd how a little tweaking can turn into major upgrading and from there into obsessive rennovation? A little over a month ago I decided maybe I should finally upgrade my PCI vid card to take advantage of HD streams from the web and QAM. I really didn't intend to spend much money or time, in fact I started a thread in the Hardware Selection forum asking about tolerable vid cards around $50. I figured that if I did a minor upgrade, maybe even spent as much as $100, then I could enjoy HD cable and the streams on Boxee. Fortunately, after a period of denial, the MP community helped me realize that upgrading my PCI card would only get me so far and that a new MoBo with integrated graphics, plus a better processor would be preferred. So I jumped in, spent a (very) little more than planned and that's when I started this thread. As documented here, I've done considerably more than just upgrading my graphics chip. In fact today I put in an order for a new case (Silverstone LC04) and a couple of Nexus Real Silent 80mm fans. With these new parts, the entire PC will have been replaced since February; only peripherals and displays remain. Plus I am starting to think of where to go next - better wall furniture, surround sound, more sound proofing, RF remote, etc. So my little $50 upgrade got a bit out of control, but the best part is that I still haven't spent much more than that. I set a rule for myself (ok, more of a guideline) that I can only purchase things that can be paid out of my existing PayPal balance and set to work cleaning out the attic. Between some old junk in the attic and the components that have been replaced in my old HTPC, I've paid for basically everything but the RAM (bought in a local shop) by selling old junk! This means I've basically gotten a new HTPC free (plus paid a self-imposed "upgrade tax" as donation to Team-MediaPortal) and also cleaned out the attic so my wife will be thrilled when she gets home from working out of town. :D Anyway, I'm starting to run out of steam. More precisely I'm running out of junk. If I can come up with another trove of ebay-worthy junk then I'll start upgrading again, but until then it looks like I've reached junk-goodness equilibrium. I'll be sure to post details and pics when I get the new case. [/QUOTE]

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