Need a cheap media center type computer

Post by **Transient** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:44 pm

I need a computer that'll run videos smoothly (large .avi files, etc.) and will let me work on large Photoshop files without hiccuping. I don't need it to play games at all; it's just gonna be for browsing the web, schoolwork, and that's about it. I'd rather it be a small case, but looks aren't important. And it's gotta be cheap. Like $300 cheap.

What kind of system specs am I looking at, and will I be able to find something like this online via Dell or someone else? If it matters, I have a GeForce 6800 already, plus a monitor. All I need is the tower.

Post by **primaltheory** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:47 pm

Go with a breadbox size pc (what are those cases called?) oh yea mini atx... you alreadh have the video card, I don't know what to do about processor...you can prolly get a combo of a p4 3.0 ht, 512mb ddr400, and a mobo for around 300... the cases are like 40... did you need any drives?

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:42 pm

there are tons of Mini-ATX/Baby-ATX/MINI-ITX computers out there.

i beleve that Intel, and Amd both are releasing there own jobies that kinda resemble the Mac Mini.

i'll see if i can find a link

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:46 pm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6856101472

Add a Cpu, and a hdd. P00M,

edit: replaced that one, now that i actually read the first post, you said you have a 6800

Post by **BlueGene** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:49 pm

You probally want a pc, and the mac mini is a little too much for what it offers. But still I think it's a good idea.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

Otherwise I would suggest getting a cheap p4/amd, 2 gb of ram and lots of space.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:50 pm

Errr, i would shoot down the mac mini,

its only 1.3ghz, or you can upgrade to the 1.4ghz! OMG!

Anyway, take a look at the other Shuttle Box's, the AMD ones that are in your price range that i can see are 754, so thats why i posted that intel based one, good southbridge ( ICHR5 ) and dual channel support.

Post by **BlueGene** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:52 pm

Macs have always been behind in the ghz, but it doesn't mean they are all that much slower as they are completely different computers.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:55 pm

i know this, but the G5's or Even the G4's are faster then it. i was reading up on those during the relese Craze that they hyped to no end.

and when they are compared, it hurts to see how handicapped that it is.

i am just getting at, if he was going to just use a Ipod, chat, and surf.. there is nothing beter out there other then the MAc-mini..

but handeling Large video playback and other shit, the Laptop HDD that is in it will show its weakness, FAST.

Post by **BlueGene** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:11 pm

fair enough.

Post by **Transient** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:15 am

Well the Mac Mini is outta the picture, because I can't stand OSX. I grew up teaching myself how to use a PC and I just don't have the patience to get used to a new OS. I forced myself to learn the basics of it, but I don't like it. But thanks for offering it, it seems lke it would otherwise be a solid choice despite the high price.

That thing you linked, amidah, seems pretty sweet. I'm really looking for something that comes pre-assembled, though, because I want to stay out of the case as much as possible. I am willing to go in and plop in the video card I have, and I've already got XP I can install, but I cringe at the thought of putting a processor and heatsink into a new computer. Plus it only has one PCI slot, and 2 USB ports (I need to plug in a mouse, keyboard, scanner, and Wacom tablet).

I realize now that $300 is somewhat unrealistic, so I'd be willing to pony up another hundred if that's what it takes. I went to gateway.com and found this. A little low on the memory, but for $60 more I could get it up to 512MB. Think that would be enough for what I want to do with it? An alternative is this one from Dell (4th on the right). If I take out the monitor and increase the memory to 512MB, it would come out to $290. I pose the same question.

TIA

Post by **mjrpes** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:52 am

Be sure to read the specifications carefully on those cheapo Dell/Gateway computers. One of the cheapo Dells my company bought in Summer 2004 came with integrated video and no AGP/PCI-E port. Get a computer like that and you won't be able to use your GeForce 6800.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:17 pm

Although watching videos and working on large PS files is kinda different, just an FYI: I have a home theater PC that consists of a 1.6Ghz P4, 256mb DDR, 8500LE 64mb, and it works great, it plays movies and DVD's without hiccups, so its perfectly suited for my needs. By the way, it was also free, I only bought the video card for $60 because it has a DVI out for my TV.

Post by **Giraffe }{unter** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:56 pm

mjrpes wrote:Be sure to read the specifications carefully on those cheapo Dell/Gateway computers. One of the cheapo Dells my company bought in Summer 2004 came with integrated video and no AGP/PCI-E port. Get a computer like that and you won't be able to use your GeForce 6800.

^^ That and Celrys choke on large photshop files.

If you need I have a brand new Mini ATX Case for sale $40.00 + shipping. I ordered and didn't realize it takes a micro ATX board

:icon27:

Post by **BlueGene** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:50 pm

Get at least 2gb of ram if you plan to use Photoshop, for video you will only need about 512mb maybe even less.

Post by **Giraffe }{unter** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:55 pm

FYI Nero 7 has a really nice user interface for playing media it's called "NERO home" If you don't want to bust your wallet on Windows XP MCE.

If you do however choose Windows XP Media Center Edition do not skimp on components. It's verry picky about what you put inside.

If you need a TV Tuner card let me know I have 2 Going up for sale in a week or so with on-board encoders.

Happauge PVR250 with remote
Happauge PVR250 MCE with FM tuner (no remote)

for about $110 - $130ish each

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:55 pm

BlueGene wrote:Get at least 2gb of ram if you plan to use Photoshop, for video you will only need about 512mb maybe even less.

Doing great with 256mb DDR here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:04 pm

By the way, what resolution is everyone running? I'm running 800x600 via DVI on my Sony 32" 4:3 CRT HDTV and its great because I don't have to resize the videos I watch too much, so its good quality.

Post by **glossy** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:23 am

I have a 1 GHz Athlon with 365MB RAM and use photoshop comfortably. You don't need "at least 2GB", nor some latest overclocked 3GHz P4 to get decent power out of a computer.

For videos, don't need any more than 256MB (or less, depending), and with your geforce there's no issue with playing video on a 1GHz (or less)

Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:30 am

I have 2.5 gigs of ram and it swaps like a motherfucker. I have 3.5, but I had to send one gig back because it was bad. You guys must not do much with it (CS2 if that matters)

Post by **Transient** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:41 am

Hmm, I'll try to avoid Celeron processors.

You guys give conflicting reports on how much memory I need for PS work. What kind of files are you all working with where you get by with > 512MB? I deal with large, high-resolution images often times over 200MB in filesize. I'm thinking I'll go with 1GB of RAM.

I think what I'll try to do is contact Dell's online support and see if it's possible to further configure a system directly through them. That way I may be able to save some money by removing the OS from the price and possibly the video card if the choice I make has it listed. I'll also be able to find out from them if it's got an AGP slot that way.

Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:55 am

I'm 99% sure any new Dell will not have an AGP slot

Post by **Transient** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:27 am

Damn.

If it matters, I was able to look at a little flash animation of a rotating tower, and I could click a button to remove the case and zoom in. The mobo appeared to have a brown AGP slot, but that could just be a generic image I suppose.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/product ... l=en&s=dhs#

Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:46 am

it's too long for AGP. It looks like an x16 PCIe slot.

If you look at the box specs, it says "3 PCI"

Post by **Pooinyourmouth** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:14 am

I have a spare AMD 2200+ with shuttle ak31 mobo and 1 gig of DDR 266 plus a ATI 8500LT 128meg, 34 gig IBM Ultrastar SCSI 10k rpm hdd I can spare for $200 if you pay the shipping.

Post by **Transient** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:23 am

Dave wrote:it's too long for AGP. It looks like an x16 PCIe slot.

If you look at the box specs, it says "3 PCI"

Fuck.

Pooinyourmouth wrote:I have a spare AMD 2200+ with shuttle ak31 mobo and 1 gig of DDR 266 plus a ATI 8500LT 128meg, 34 gig IBM Ultrastar SCSI 10k rpm hdd I can spare for $200 if you pay the shipping.

I'd rather buy a new system, but I will keep that in mind in case I decide not to go with Dell, thanks. :icon14:
How old is the system, BTW?