[MrCarbo]

Hi everyone,

I've been using XBMC on an XBOX1 for years and it's fab. However I've got a HD TV now and I want HD content through XBMC which means my XBOX1 has to go and be replaced with a PC. I could use a MAC but I don't like them and they're expensive and besides I have other uses in mind for the PC.

Basically I want a PC that will be connected to my main tv and I can browse the internet, play games and run xbmc... whether that's using the windows version or the live version I'm not sure which will be more appropriate?

I have a list of components that I plan on buying... I just wanted peoples opinions on what problems I might run into with the kit below:

CASE: any old case - not too bothered about how it looks as it'll be out of sight.
MB: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/200985
CPU: Intel i5 760 2.8GHz
RAM: 4GB
PSU: Probably 450W, something like http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151287
GPU: Probably a 512MB 4670, eg http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158546
REMOTE: SpeedLink SL-6399 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129363

I guess I'm wondering whether the CPU is powerful enough for HD (I'm assuming it'll be more than adequate) and whether there'd be any likely compatilibity issues with xbmc and the GPU? I think the remote will be fine.

Any comments?

[Bram77]

Playing games on the Live system will be a problem since it's based on Ubuntu. There are some cool games for Linux, but they might not meet your expectations of you're used to Windows.

If gaming is not a priority you could buy yourself a Nvidia ION system (I have a Asrock ION330-HT which is great!). It uses very little power, is capable of playing full HD content (without any problems in my case) and there is a XBMC Live version that's optimized for ION systems.

The best thing is... it's only 300,- euro Next to that the ION systems mostly use the same hardware. So it's a bit like using the old xbox. The XBMC live installation (by XbmcFreak) is optimized for different systems with roughly the same hardware.

[MrCarbo]

I was thinking more along the lines of booting from usb for the xbmc live and then when I wanted to do gaming etc I'd boot into windows.

Alternatively just run XBMC in windows. I assume there'd be no problem there. Is xbmc picky on what hardware you have in a windows environment?

[Bram77]

No pickynes at all Just make sure you use a HD capable videocard. If you want to install Linux as your main OS at some point (or dual boot) it's advisable to use a NVIDIA card that supports VDPAU for optimal performance. The CPU you chose is capable of decoding HD content. But using the GPU to decode video (which a Nvidia VDPAU supporting card can do in Linux) will make your machine more efficient.

Overall Nvidia cards work better in Linux, simply because the drivers are better. The same goes for booting XBMC Live from USB.

[jhsrennie]

I have a Speedlink SL-6399 remote; it's one of the (many) MCE remotes I bought while developing the remote control support in XBMC. In the lanugage of http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Usi..._with_XBMC it's a type 4 remote i.e. it appears to Windows as a keyboard and sends MCE keystrokes. The SL-6399 works well enough, though I prefer to use a Microsoft remote as it's much more configurable.

JR

[MrCarbo]

hi

Having a rethink on a couple of components; will an AMD Phenom II X4 925 2.8GHz CPU and 9800GT GPU be ok for 1080p HD.

Also, will I see a big difference using a HDMI cable rather than a standard 15pin VGA connection to my TV?

Thanks again.

[prae5]

hi

Having a rethink on a couple of components; will an AMD Phenom II X4 925 2.8GHz CPU and 9800GT GPU be ok for 1080p HD.

Also, will I see a big difference using a HDMI cable rather than a standard 15pin VGA connection to my TV?

Thanks again.

Personally i prefer i would stick with intel and nvidia, and yes you will see a big difference with an hdmi cable, as an added bonues you should be able to use if for audio too depending on your motherboard.

[MrCarbo]

Personally i prefer i would stick with intel and nvidia, and yes you will see a big difference with an hdmi cable, as an added bonues you should be able to use if for audio too depending on your motherboard.

I thought the Audio was down to the graphics card HDMI output... or am I missing something?