upgrade, or buy new??

[Mike GTT]

well, the HTPC i originally had an intension of using for the kitchen, i've been using for my main TV. i added a bluray drive and have started ripping using anydvdHD with no real problems

It became clear that the original graphics card isn't up to the job of HD playback and it'll need more RAM.

more info: http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/pc/DHE1000.htm

The case is a nightmare to use, so i've every intension of replacing it for a tower unit.

It runs an Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott (3.00 Ghz) single core processor.

The mobo and fan would need changing as they're fitted into the case and its an all-round nightmare to work within the case to get stuff out.

would you guys upgrade this machine? or keep it as a spare, and build another PC?? since i was intending on changing the mobo and fan and case anyway, would you guys bother throwing anymore money at this processor, or get something newer??
, possibly something like this spec...


your views are greatly appreciated guys, thanks in advance.

Mike

[phillj]

(07-26-2010 01:48 PM)Mike GTT Wrote:  well, the HTPC i originally had an intension of using for the kitchen, i've been using for my main TV. i added a bluray drive and have started ripping using anydvdHD with no real problems

It became clear that the original graphics card isn't up to the job of HD playback and it'll need more RAM.

more info: http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/pc/DHE1000.htm

The case is a nightmare to use, so i've every intension of replacing it for a tower unit.

It runs an Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott (3.00 Ghz) single core processor.

The mobo and fan would need changing as they're fitted into the case and its an all-round nightmare to work within the case to get stuff out.

would you guys upgrade this machine? or keep it as a spare, and build another PC?? since i was intending on changing the mobo and fan and case anyway, would you guys bother throwing anymore money at this processor, or get something newer??
, possibly something like this spec...


your views are greatly appreciated guys, thanks in advance.

Mike

The item that made the biggest difference to me for playback of DVD MPEG2 (when it was in its early stages) and for Blu-ray H.264 was a graphics card upgrade, with an on-board decoder! It took my CPU usage down from 100% to about 30% I have an NVidia 9500GT, however for my next card, I think I will invest in an ATI one as they have a built-in soundcard and other people on the forum seem to have had good experiences with them:

http://www.mediacenterhouse.com/forum/Th...river-bugs

I would also make sure you have at least 2GB (I have this and it works fine) of RAM, anything less and it will start using your HD

I still have a dual core processor (core 2 duo), though if you are upgrading now or considering it, the new Core architecture is brilliant and quad is the way to go if you can stretch! My new work laptop has a Core i7 at it is brilliant, an amazing difference!

The other item I would consider if you are looking into it is a SSD (at least a small one for the main OS drive) as this will speed up your menus and things:

http://www.mediacenterhouse.com/forum/Th...t-worth-it

Anyway if money is tight then my number one item to buy would first be a new graphics card (passive ones are best) you don’t need anything to fancy, just make sure it has an on-board decoder (about £40 should do it) anything more is just overkill, unless you want to use it for games. Then I would also make sure you have 2GB of memory (its cheap, though please note, if you change your processor it means motherboard and probably memory too) and see how you get on!

[elootos]

Crikey, how didn't I see this thread until today???!?

I'd leave your current PC alone and focus on a new machine. For the money you'd spend on an upgrade it's more beneficial to spend a further couple of hundred quid and end up with 2 PCs at the end of it.

Plus, your current PC works and if you damage it while upgrading then you're left with nought!

(07-26-2010 01:48 PM)Mike GTT Wrote:  would you guys upgrade this machine? or keep it as a spare, and build another PC?? since i was intending on changing the mobo and fan and case anyway, would you guys bother throwing anymore money at this processor, or get something newer??

(07-29-2010 08:49 AM)phillj Wrote:  The item that made the biggest difference to me for playback of DVD MPEG2 (when it was in its early stages) and for Blu-ray H.264 was a graphics card upgrade, with an on-board decoder! It took my CPU usage down from 100% to about 30% I have an NVidia 9500GT, however for my next card, I think I will invest in an ATI one as they have a built-in soundcard and other people on the forum seem to have had good experiences with them:

http://www.mediacenterhouse.com/forum/Th...river-bugs

I would also make sure you have at least 2GB (I have this and it works fine) of RAM, anything less and it will start using your HD

I still have a dual core processor (core 2 duo), though if you are upgrading now or considering it, the new Core architecture is brilliant and quad is the way to go if you can stretch! My new work laptop has a Core i7 at it is brilliant, an amazing difference!

The other item I would consider if you are looking into it is a SSD (at least a small one for the main OS drive) as this will speed up your menus and things:

http://www.mediacenterhouse.com/forum/Th...t-worth-it

Anyway if money is tight then my number one item to buy would first be a new graphics card (passive ones are best) you don’t need anything to fancy, just make sure it has an on-board decoder (about £40 should do it) anything more is just overkill, unless you want to use it for games. Then I would also make sure you have 2GB of memory (its cheap, though please note, if you change your processor it means motherboard and probably memory too) and see how you get on!

Hey, good to see the search function working for someone!!

Agreed on the graphics card: spend about £40 and you'll have plenty for a Media Center machine.

As for CPU, Intel is the ultimate for performance, but AMD is still the best bargain. An AM3 board and CPU can be had for a fraction of an Intel and still perform just as well for the purpose you're after. I have one of these 250s in my kitchen PC and it flys along with an SSD as well.

You could even get this 785G mobo and skip the dedicated GPU upgrade settling instead for the onboard graphics which would perform fine for movie payback. Just make sure you get the correct voltage memory for it (reads the specs of it).

ALso, unless you want to have the case on show you could get a £20 case instead. Flimsy as hell 'cos they're made from thinnly pressed alloy but fantastic value They don't look too bad either IMO.

Finally, you could save a few quid on the PSU for a less 'showy' model. Still Corsair but almost half the price.

[Mike GTT]

the corsair PSU you suggested is the one i'm currently using in my server, i was worried about the power draw.

I've made some amendments to the list above, considering going AMD instead of intel as i'm not gonna be playing games through the PC, just movies and music, so i'll be ditching the graphics card for a motherboard which has built-in graphics :)

everything is on show at the moment, and the fractal case i'm using for my server i'm really happy with :)

i'll keep you posted, and once everything's done, i'll make a post with an updated AV set up

cheers

[northan]

AMD good value.

Iv'e been burnt too many times with high promises of smooth playback and great performance like a dedicated gpu, but to be honest built in gpus on mobos never live up to the hype.

I'm sure some top end mobos have good stuff, but a reasonable mobo and gpu can cost the same.

It's been a year since I built a rig and lots has changed since then, so I'm not really that up to date with it. What ever you choose will be a 100% better, also work on a set budget, it's far too easy to persuade yourself you need the more expensive one.
I hope none of this has sounded patronising or appear like i've talked out of my bottom. Good luck