[bulbous_blues]

Hi

I wonder if someone can advise me I have an old computer I'm hoping to be able to build into a simple HTPC. The specs are low so I don't expect much. What I would like it to achieve is this.

Play DVDs (doesn't need to play blu-ray)
Stream Netflix at 720
play HD 720 video files and SD files
Play music MP3 and flac files and pandora radio.

All my videos and music are kept on a windows home server 2011 box so will be streamed over the network.

The old computers specs I have is

CPU: AMD 64 3400+
RAM: 2 GB of DDR PC3200
HDD: 80GB sata drive
GPU: I have not purchased a GPU yet I only have a AGP slot

I was thinking of purchasing a EVGA GeForce 6200 512-A8-N405-KR if this would do it or if not a VisionTek Radeon HD3450 512 MB.

I currently have windows XP installed on the system, does XBMC run well on XP? Or would I be better off installing XBMC Live

or lastly give up the whole idea lol

[Kirky99]

Linux != Netflix

Win7 is required for hardware acceleration I think and video card is going to be key. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure about what AGP card will get you hardware accelerated video. By itself, I think that CPU will get bound even with 720p content. Someone else with more experience will come along shortly I'm sure.

[DJVege]

Like Kirky99 said, No Netflix on Linux. Netflix will not use anything without DRM, and currently use Microsoft Silverlight for that main reason. You can run a VM, if you want, though. See here for details:

http://how-to.wikia.com/wiki/How_to_watc...)_in_Linux

You should be able to run 720p on that machine.

[bulbous_blues]

Hi thanks for both your replies, after you mentioned I needed win 7 for hardware acceleration I looked into this further, and decided to buy a ASus hd3450 card, install win 7 home edition and see how I do. I will try and tweak win 7 a bit turn off services I dont need. When I get the card and it is all up and running I will leave a post for anybody else's interest.

Thanks!!!!