Ongoing Maplin Barebones HTPC (1 Viewer)

[Deco]

Hi, spotted this in latest Maplin "discount" magazine:
Media Entertainment Centre Kit

Guessing from the chipset info (Intel 915G ICH6) it is only suitable for P4 processors, though not sure if it comes with a processor or not. Anyone have any experience with this one?

Thanks, Deco.

 

[Kingfisher]

Spotted this in Maplin yesterday, outside of the box says "P4 3GHz, 1GB RAM" on the spec list, so I would assume it comes with a 3GHZ P4 cpu included.

Also, the description on the site says you only need to add OS, SATA HDD and DVDRW for a complete system, so that strongly suggests the CPU is included. (Otherwise I think Advertising/Trading Standards may have something to say about it!)

 

[Deco]

Thanks for the reply Kingfisher,

I must investigate further at the weekend; doesn't sound a bad price so for a barebones system if it will take a cheapo PCIE graphics card.

Cheers, Deco.

 

[Deco]

Checked this out in Maplin. Basically it's a (partially!) rebadged Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo E with a 3GHz P4 processor.
There are the following slots available:
1 half-height PCI-Express 16x
2 half-height PCI sockets
2 full height PCI sockets (on their side)

Comes with IR keyboard and remote. 1 Gb RAM fitted (3 free slots). Plenty of I/O's on the back, but many are tied to on-board crappy Intel graphics. Motherboard looks like standard mATX, but cutouts on rear panel match I/O's, so motherboard replacement not easy without some dremmel work!

Looks like it may be possible to get display working with MediaPortal from reading forum.
eBuyer has plenty of information on it here.

Might still be worth a punt ...

 

[icerg]

I have bought one of these off ebay for £50, great machine for a media pc, dual analogue tuners though. I am having a pig of a time getting the front display to show anything but the date and time. Have tried mythtv now i am trying mediaportal. Has anyone had any success getting the display to work?