Media Centre Build

C

chronic2005

Geek Trainee
Hey

I've had my tv as just a normal tv for a while now, but also for a while i've wanted to do more with it. So, i've decided to build a media centre pc. I haven't got that much cash as i've just bought a macbook, but i have a few parts spare from previous computers.

Here's what i have.

160GB Hard drive
512 or 640 mb worth of sdram
750 mhz cpu

I have all the other things needed e.g. power supply, motherboard etc...

The cpu simply isn't going to cut it, does anyone have any recommendation on what im going to need? I think i will also have to upgrade my motherboard aswell right? But if i do upgrade my motherboard, will it still support sdram?

Sorry for all the questions :)

Should mention what im going to be doing on it. Just recording and watching tv. No games, no programs, just the tv.

Thanx
 
If you do upgrade your mobo and cpu, judging by how old your current cpu must be, i highly doubt that the ram will be supported, i would recommend upgrading to core 2 duo cpu, the cheapest core 2 duo cpu is about 130 quid, and its faster than most cpu's also a brilliant overclocker, then your going to need the new mobo obviously and some DDR 2 ram, i would suggest getting 1GB, Whats your budget, what are you planning to do with the pc exept use tv with it, are you concidering upgrading to Windows XP Media center?

Building a Media Center pc can be very costly, for example, if your going with windows media center, you need a Media Center compatible TV Tuner.

Ah just seen the bottom of your post, so just TV, well i think you will probs need a TV Tuner.
 
Your CPU will be fine!
Your HDD will almost certainly be ata133 so will probably be quick enough for recording. 750mhz CPUs aren't that old and as people have been using TV cards for a long time im guessing they have also recorded TV too.

I dont think you will have any problems at all with the setup you have.

What OS system are you planning on using? The windows xp might be a bit much but you can customize linux to do everything you need.
 
zeus said:
Your CPU will be fine!
Your HDD will almost certainly be ata133 so will probably be quick enough for recording. 750mhz CPUs aren't that old and as people have been using TV cards for a long time im guessing they have also recorded TV too.

I dont think you will have any problems at all with the setup you have.

What OS system are you planning on using? The windows xp might be a bit much but you can customize linux to do everything you need.
Click to expand...

Hey

Well if that is the case then brillent!!! As for the OS, i would prefer to run linux as to xp media centre anyway, i've just don't know where to get a distro of linux which has a media centre program.

Any other thoughts, on weather my pc will be ok for recording/watching tv?

Thanx
 
I just typed in Linux Media Center and got this
Review: GeeXboX - Linux Media Center | Tuxme.com
Any pentium PC and 64mb of RAM for this one.
So they are there, being linux you can just modify it to do what you want it to do anyway.

The windows one is better looking and it will be easier to get your tv card to work in windows too but linux is well suited for this kind of task.
 
I've just sourced a 2.2 ghz athlon with a motherboard, so im going to do that. Ill have to buy some new ddr but i'll be grateful of the speed upgrade.

Thanx all
 
is Linux media center better than XP MCE and Windows Media Center in vista (practically the same) and can linux media center work with the Creative X-FI Fatal1ty remote, most apps in windows can, just not media center :(
 
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