wanting computer for movies/streaming video

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u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#173332 19-May-2015 21:18

Basically after some advice. Currently I have an hp laptop with i3 could, 2gb ram, 500gb hdd. It has issues such as overheating, very loud as fan goes hard out all the time, and it struggles with streaming online programmes.

I'm wondering what would be a good replacement. I just want it setup to my tv via HDMI permanently. It must beable to stream live hd vision via the internet without freezing, any suggestions?

I think my current laptop should beagle to do all I need, but it needs to be reformatted. If I took to a pc store how much would I be looking at for that?

timmmay

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#1308023 19-May-2015 21:21

Clean the dust off the heatsink/fan, makes a huge difference. Reinstall can help - Windows, or Linux Mint - but not sure about streaming with linux.

You don't want a laptop for HTPC, you'd want a small quiet fanless PC, if you buy something new.

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308026 19-May-2015 21:30

Have you got any links to the sort your talking about? I'm on quite a budget.

Thanks for reply

Jase2985

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#1308029 19-May-2015 21:36

what is the budget.

macuser

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#1308030 19-May-2015 21:41

u13turbo: Have you got any links to the sort your talking about? I'm on quite a budget.

Thanks for reply

You'd be opening it up and removing the fan or the heat sink in front of the fan, between the two there is usually a lint build up that prevents air passing over the heat sink which means you get overheating. You need to find a dismantling tutorial/video and follow it. Also add more RAM, upgrade to at least 4GB (2x4GB is ideal).

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308232 20-May-2015 10:13

Thanks for the replays. Budget is $600. ill look into cleaning up my laptop also

xpd

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#1308249 20-May-2015 10:28

It must beable to stream live hd vision via the internet without freezing

That comes down to your connection and the source as well, not just your laptop/player... if the source has a crap internet connection, all the hardware in world at your end wont help.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308343 20-May-2015 11:47

What Download speed is need for HDhd streaming?

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Xeon

302 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1308453 20-May-2015 13:23

Depends on the source, for 1080p I think its generally about 4-6 mbps. It's pretty hard to have internet slower then that but you also have to consider if it is Wifi, if you have other people downloading etc.

What sites are you wanting to stream from?

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308468 20-May-2015 13:41

Yeah my laptop consistantly gets 4.5mb/s on speedtest.net. I know that's not great but should still handle 480p no sweet. I only live stream very occasionally but recently I attempted to stream mayweather vs pacman and it was completely unwatchable, and I know other people were streaming from the same place just fine.

Cheers

andrewNZ

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#1308556 20-May-2015 15:24

If the laptop is overheating, and it sounds like it is, streaming will appear terrible. I'd be cleaning the heatsink first and testing again.

trig42

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#1308589 20-May-2015 16:03

u13turbo: Yeah my laptop consistantly gets 4.5mb/s on speedtest.net. I know that's not great but should still handle 480p no sweet. I only live stream very occasionally but recently I attempted to stream mayweather vs pacman and it was completely unwatchable, and I know other people were streaming from the same place just fine.

Cheers

Is that speedtest done on a Wireless or Wired connection?

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308590 20-May-2015 16:07

Wireless. And sweet I will clean it and see what happens