Buy or Build?
#1
Please forgive me for yet another which HTPC do I get question but I am in a situation where I could really do with a quite specific answer if anyone is willing to lend their time.

I would like a HTPC in my television cabinet for media, and Xbox quality gaming (or ideally BF3 on low settings quality gaming).

It does not need to be tiny - about the size of a standard non-gaming off the shelf PC or smaller, ideally not a tower - and it does not need to be completely silent (xbox noise level is fine).

My dilemma is that I plan to upgrade my main PC shortly with a new graphics card. I currently have a GeForce 8800 GTX which does everything I need gaming wise. Given that i'm soon to have a graphics card spare I would like to use it for a HTPC but given the enourmous power demands of this card and the potential heating issues I'm not sure how that would work in a HTPC.

My questions are:

1. Is it practical to build a HTPC around my old GPU and what is the likely cost?

2. What off the shelf HTPC's are there which would suit my needs - i.e a fair bit of power, all the trimmings, and doesn't need to be too small/silent?

My second question is the more important really as I don't see the first option being practical. Ideally I would like to do this for under £300.

I've had a good look around online and basically i'm looking for an ASUS EEE BOX but a bit bigger and a bit noiser with more power.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Reply
#2
While a bit dated, this guide is excellent.

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=94199

Eskro has many posts about this topic and if you look through his stuff, your answers are there.

My input, I would go with a more modern video card that has a lower power requirement than the 8800gtx (which is a great card but is showing its age). There are many newer solutions in the $40 range that should do what you want and draw far fewer watts.

Diggs
Reply
#3
Thank you for the advice. I will look into the guide fully over the weekend when I have more time. It doesn't appear to make reference to gaming though.

I realise this should be evident from the specs of the components but i'm afraid these days I really have no idea what runs what.
Reply
#4
This might be a little help.

CPU info
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gami...or=RSS-182

Graphics Card info
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gami...,3107.html
Reply

Logout Mark Read Team Forum Stats Members Help
Buy or Build?0