[pglover19]

All,

I currently have XBMC running on a HP N40L server in my home theater room (serves as my NAS for storage of HD content), 1 GATEWAY SX2370-UB30P (AMD A6-3600) in my master bedroom, 1 GATEWAY SX2370-UB30P (AMD A6-3600) in my family room, and 1 Dell Optiplex 960 in my guest bedroom. Well, BestBuy has the Dell Inspiron Desktop Model # I620-228NBK on clearance for $287. This is a mid-tower unit and not a small form factor. This PC will be streaming 1080P content over the network from my HP N40L server in the home theater to the guest bedroom 42" 1080P LCD TV.

Here is some specs on the Dell Inspiron Desktop (I620-228NBK):
Intel Core i3-2100
RAM 4 GB
1 TB HDD
Intel HD Graphics 2000
Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
HDMI
WiFi card

You find the complete specs here (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,238...?tab=Specs).

So, the question is can I use this PC as a HTPC? What about the case size? I already have an extra HD6450 graphic card.

Please advise....

[bluray]

It should be a powerful HTPC, and you should be able to playback all BD files in full 1080P video and HD audio with HD6450 in it.

[pglover19]

It should be a powerful HTPC, and you should be able to playback all BD files in full 1080P video and HD audio with HD6450 in it.

What about the case (mid-size tower)? Probably not ideal for a HTPC?

[gabbott]

What about the case (mid-size tower)? Probably not ideal for a HTPC?

That all depends on your setup and taste. In some setups the case can be hidden away out of sight, some don't mind the looks of a tower next to their setup, sometimes a tower can be put on it's side and onto a shelf.....

[pglover19]

All,

I currently have XBMC running on a HP N40L server in my home theater room (serves as my NAS for storage of HD content), 1 GATEWAY SX2370-UB30P (AMD A6-3600) in my master bedroom, 1 GATEWAY SX2370-UB30P (AMD A6-3600) in my family room, and 1 Dell Optiplex 960 in my guest bedroom. Well, BestBuy has the Dell Inspiron Desktop Model # I620-228NBK on clearance for $287. This is a mid-tower unit and not a small form factor. This PC will be streaming 1080P content over the network from my HP N40L server in the home theater to the guest bedroom 42" 1080P LCD TV.

Here is some specs on the Dell Inspiron Desktop (I620-228NBK):
Intel Core i3-2100
RAM 4 GB
1 TB HDD
Intel HD Graphics 2000
Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
HDMI
WiFi card

You find the complete specs here (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,238...?tab=Specs).

So, the question is can I use this PC as a HTPC? What about the case size? I already have an extra HD6450 graphic card.

Please advise....

Anymore opinions?

[bluray]

What about the case (mid-size tower)? Probably not ideal for a HTPC?

The size and how it looks is up to you to make your own judgement. Some like smaller case and some like bigger case...!

[Beer40oz]

The size and how it looks is up to you to make your own judgement. Some like smaller case and some like bigger case...!

That is what she said!