Patch old computer or new HTPC build?

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#380242 15-Sep-2010 17:14

Buy 1x1GB 2nd hand ram stick don't worry about dual channel (unless you currently have 512x2, and even then 1.5GB total with XP is ok for media PC) I would go as cheap as possible and 2nd hand.

Reason being is that you will eventually want a new HTPC so spend as little as possible on this one.

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#380245 15-Sep-2010 17:19

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Components/Memory-RAM/1-GB-or-more/auction-317916847.htm

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#380518 16-Sep-2010 09:58

Can I mix a 1Gb stick with a 512mb stick?

Board only has 2 mem slots. Didn't think this was very nice?

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#380520 16-Sep-2010 10:02

I've done it before and it was fine. There are 2x1GB 2nd hand sticks on trademe too. 1.5GB should be plenty, in fact 1GB is not too bad for XP + mediacentre, it hardly uses more than 1gb if it's HTPC only and doesn't run many services in the background. Basically I think you want to go very cheap on upgrading this PC, if you want to spend more then you need to buy a new PC. What speed is the CPU?

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#380521 16-Sep-2010 10:04

Also does that 2nd hand gfx card do DXVA, most of the AGP ones don't so if you are not getting a DXVA gfx card then you can go as cheap as possible as the CPU will do movie decoding not the GPU.

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#380524 16-Sep-2010 10:05

PS. I wouldn't recommend shelling out lots on a DXVA GPU for AGP as they all tend to be a bit sh1tty.

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#381159 17-Sep-2010 11:30

Hi all,

Installed crap $30 DVI output card last night into AGP slot.
Passive cooled but heat sink super hot.
Works though, now displaying on plasma via DVI/hdmi adaptor.

That's it for now I think. Could add a sat tuner but these small form factor housings really have stuff all space. Think external usb tuner might be better way to go, but they do seem rare. (any ideas on cheap ones?)

Yes, old computer so is slow as. Hadn't realised really as it's been in the cupboard for a long time. Don't want to spend any more on this really, especially given reminders about that others have given me here!

Thanks for all comments.

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#381216 17-Sep-2010 12:50

What's the CPU spec?

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#381225 17-Sep-2010 12:59

Believe it's the Athlon 2400XP. Was the highest I could go at the time on that motherboard, all those years ago.

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#381243 17-Sep-2010 13:16

ok you probably wont be able to play 720P movies, if you want to try you should use coreavc codec. For media centre software I'd recommend XBMC (if not wanting live TV) if wanting live TV you have several choices, but given your slow system I would try GBPVR for windows based or a linux based one like MythTV. I use mediaportal, you PC is borderline but might be ok.

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