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HTPC - oldish hardware

  • 20-08-2012 4:52pm
    #1
    h57xiucj2z946q
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭


    Someone where I work is selling an old Dell machine:

    microATX PC
    ================
    * CPU: Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66GHz)
    * RAM: 4GB
    * HDD: Samsung HDs, 1.75TB total
    * Graphics: ATI HD5670
    * Bluray reader
    * Tevii S470 DVB-S2 Satellite card

    For €100.

    Do you think this would be suitable for the likes of XBMC ? Would run it on a light weight linux distro.

    Or I was thinking I could bang on a copy of FreeBSD, and run a headless server using PS3 Media Server to stream/transcode stuff to the PS3. I wonder how that machine would fare out transcoding 1080p o the fly.


Comments

  • #2
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    It's perfect, make sure the gpu has HDMI. Check out XBMCbuntu and Openelec which are both XBMC built on top of a basic linux distro. You can even boot Openelec from a usb key or Sd card, boots in 12-15 seconds.


  • #3
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    Noise is the main thing you need to consider. My own HTPC has no moving parts and it completely silent. I have all my files shared from a server upstairs. A core2duo will take considerable cooling, the mechanical hard drive would also make noise as would the power supply. Is the gpu passively cooled? This is where Openelec booting from a usb key comes in handy, eliminated one source of noise. Be sure you hear it running before you buy.


  • #4
    h57xiucj2z946q
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭h57xiucj2z946q


    Yeah noise will be a killer. I was hoping to have it as a mediastreamer or HTPC combined with a NAS, but noise may mean I can't have it at the back of the TV.

    Do you think the price is good for the hardware listed?


  • #5
    h57xiucj2z946q
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭h57xiucj2z946q


    Anyone?


  • #6
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    Yes, it's decent value for what you're getting.


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  • #7
    h57xiucj2z946q
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭h57xiucj2z946q


    He threw in a 20" monitor too, and emailed him and he just sold it!! oh well!


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