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<blockquote data-quote="fshagan" data-source="post: 390621" data-attributes="member: 89390"><p>I bought a Compaq EVO D510 SFF PC on ebay for $60 shipped to use as a low end HTPC, streaming standard def to my Toshiba 36" tube TV. We also want to be able to browse to sites such as Hulu.com, and purchase rentals from Amazon.com. In addition, we want to display pictures and stream music to our stereo (2.1 system). We do not plan to move to the HD world any time soon (at least until our tube TV dies). WAF is dependent on the system being quiet, so I'd like to avoid as many fans on components as I can. And being able to control things with my Harmony 880 remote.</p><p></p><p>The system is shipping tomorrow, but as far as I can tell, the EVO D510 SFF has:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">P4 Processor, 1.7 GHz</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">20 GB harddrive</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">256MB RAM (can have up to 2GB)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Win XP Pro</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Intel 845G chipset with Intel Extreme integrated graphics</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">AGP Interface - 4x, for half height cards</li> </ul><p></p><p>Upgrades planned:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Install 320 GB hard drive for content</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Increase memory to 1GB RAM</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Add AGP video card with TV-Out</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Add IR receiver</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Use Media Portal</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>AGP video card:</strong></p><p>I'm thinking a 128MB AGP 4x video card would be sufficient for this, something like:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">ATi Radeon 128MB V9000-128A with S-Video TV out ($28.50 at geeks.com)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sparkle SF8834T128 128MB Nvidia with S-Video TV out ($27.99 at newegg.com)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sparkle SF8834T256 256MB Nvidia with S-Video TV out ($31.99 at newegg.com)</li> </ul><p></p><p>Any preference for Nvidia over ATi cards? All of these are quiet, fanless designs. Any others I should consider that are AGP 4x?</p><p></p><p><strong>IR Receiver:</strong></p><p>Not sure what to do on this front. I've looked at snapstream.com's Firefly Mini IR remote and receiver, at $30. Also the MS Media Center IR Remote and Receiver ($29.97 at TigerDirect.com). Any preference here?</p><p></p><p>Link for the system specs is at <a href="http://bit.ly/1p3t2" target="_blank">Compaq Evo Desktop D510 845G - World Wide QuickSpecs</a> ("Small Form Factor" or SFF)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="fshagan, post: 390621, member: 89390"] I bought a Compaq EVO D510 SFF PC on ebay for $60 shipped to use as a low end HTPC, streaming standard def to my Toshiba 36" tube TV. We also want to be able to browse to sites such as Hulu.com, and purchase rentals from Amazon.com. In addition, we want to display pictures and stream music to our stereo (2.1 system). We do not plan to move to the HD world any time soon (at least until our tube TV dies). WAF is dependent on the system being quiet, so I'd like to avoid as many fans on components as I can. And being able to control things with my Harmony 880 remote. The system is shipping tomorrow, but as far as I can tell, the EVO D510 SFF has: [LIST] [*]P4 Processor, 1.7 GHz [*]20 GB harddrive [*]256MB RAM (can have up to 2GB) [*]Win XP Pro [*]Intel 845G chipset with Intel Extreme integrated graphics [*]AGP Interface - 4x, for half height cards [/LIST] Upgrades planned: [LIST] [*]Install 320 GB hard drive for content [*]Increase memory to 1GB RAM [*]Add AGP video card with TV-Out [*]Add IR receiver [*]Use Media Portal [/LIST] [B]AGP video card:[/B] I'm thinking a 128MB AGP 4x video card would be sufficient for this, something like: [LIST] [*]ATi Radeon 128MB V9000-128A with S-Video TV out ($28.50 at geeks.com) [*]Sparkle SF8834T128 128MB Nvidia with S-Video TV out ($27.99 at newegg.com) [*]Sparkle SF8834T256 256MB Nvidia with S-Video TV out ($31.99 at newegg.com) [/LIST] Any preference for Nvidia over ATi cards? All of these are quiet, fanless designs. Any others I should consider that are AGP 4x? [B]IR Receiver:[/B] Not sure what to do on this front. I've looked at snapstream.com's Firefly Mini IR remote and receiver, at $30. Also the MS Media Center IR Remote and Receiver ($29.97 at TigerDirect.com). Any preference here? Link for the system specs is at [url=http://bit.ly/1p3t2]Compaq Evo Desktop D510 845G - World Wide QuickSpecs[/url] ("Small Form Factor" or SFF) [/QUOTE]
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