building an htpc for first time need some advise

[francisuk]

Hi all
I have a spare PC knocking around that i wanna turn it into a HTPC for just mainly using XMBC for YouTube (360p/480p) and playing bbc iplayer / itv player / 4od / DVDs and possible xvid/divx converted movies and some live tv links

Intel celeron D 3.06GHz
2GB DDR 3200 RAM (thats the max ram this broad will take)
250GB IDE HDD
80GB IDE HDD (Both 7200rpm)
altec lansing vs3151 5.1 surround sound
100mbits LAN speed
cheap �1 Bluetooth Stick

The HTPC motherboad is a MSI PM8M3-V 3.1 and supports:
� One AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 8x/4X slot.
- 32-bit AGP (66MHz) for 8x/4x mode

What graphics card and software would you recommend me? The graphics card has got to have a s-video or a scart lead

[mh2360]

For SD material the PC might be OK, for HD material, it might be a bit under-powered.

Does the TV you will be connecting this PC to have HDMI?

[jagabo]

Start here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007850&IsNo...=AGP%204X%2f8X

NewEgg doesn't ship internationally but that should give you an idea what's currently available in AGP. Some of those have composite and/or s-video out. This is probably a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129132

If your power supply can handle it.

[francisuk]

For SD material the PC might be OK

Not that fused about HD mate Just aslong as it plays nicely with XBMC for YouTube 360/480p and some TV links in there then ill use VLC (videolan) for my divx converted movies and thats mainly what i need it for.

But if anyone has any other software then feel free im all ears hehe

Start here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007850&IsNo...=AGP%204X%2f8X

Thanks for the link mate ya a star and i do ebay aswell

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129132
If your power supply can handle it.

Have any idea what good PSU this would need?
Edited: Sorry mate i seen the system requirements (300W or greater power supply recommended)

next question is if i stick a 500W power supply on that motherbroad would it do my harm to the HTPC or what do you recommend me putting on? is currently has a 250W at the minute.

Just though ill let you know, I did watched a youtube video in 720p on my main pc using chromium and nothing eles (see let << for description)

CPU @ 37%

Now. With a intel celetron D 3.06GHz / socket LGA775
dos the D stand for dual core?

Cheers

[edDV]

D means dual core, but a Celeron won't be a screamer.

[edDV]

Your HTPC goal should be DXVA graphics card decode. The Radeon HD 3650 recommended by Jagabo can handle MPeg2, h.264 and VC1 with no CPU load when using a DXVA player (e.g. MPCHC or XMBC). Older cards would only handle MPeg2 decode. Low CPU usage will keep noise and power (heat) load minimal.

You could also add an HD tuner for off air recording.

[mh2360]

D means dual core, but a Celeron won't be a screamer.

You sure about that?

The 'D' in Pentium D processors meant 'dual'.

I don't think it means the same thing for Celeron Ds.

http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=5263

[Moontrash]

"The Intel Celeron D processor works with the Intel 845 and 865 chipset families. The D suffix actually has no official designation, and does not indicate that these models are dual-core."

[jagabo]

Check the CPU model number (Computer -> Properties) I have a Celeron E3200 in one of my computers. It's a dual core.

[edDV]

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Celeron_microprocessors

There were several Celeron D 3.066 GHz chip families but all were single core.

The dual core Celeron D models maxed out at 2.7 GHz.

[RabidDog]

You should def look into Ebay or Freecycle for an AGP card .. I actually have an AGP card fx5200 nvidia personal cinema which is of no use to me. Shipping anything from the states will be expensive and fraught with danger, as you wont, realistically, be able to return it. Viewsonic make a media player that will do 95% of what you want, with ease (viewsonic vmp74 or 75, maplins 50 notes to u gov.)

Give the old broad max ramming .... you dirty dog (I'm simply raising awareness of sexist and gender issues in a technical forum, fnarf,fnarf)