2010-07-03, 05:36
Hello again,
I've spent the last month unsuccessfully trying to build an HTPC for my mother's birthday gift. Her birthday has since passed, but I haven't given up. I don't have a choice really. I sent back two defective ZOTAC IONITX-A-U Atom motherboards, and even though both boards were defective, I can't get a refund, only store credit.
I was going to get a Revo with my store credit, but now they're out of stock.
So my next plan is build an HTPC with a new case, and a mix of old parts from a 2005 PC. It needs to play 1080p mkv files, so I could really use the forum's advice here. This old PC plays all types of avi files, but struggles with HD video. Here are the specs:
Obviously I need to replace the graphic card with something modern. Since the mobo RAM is 4×184pin, I can't add any of my modern 240pin ram.
So my questions are:
1) will this old processor play HD video with the right graphic card?
2) if so, can you recommend one that will work with this ancient motherboard?
3) is 1GB ram enough to play HD smoothly, or should I buy more 184pin ram?
Thanks.
And if you have any other suggestions on how I can better spend the store credit to create an HTPC, I'm all ears. Maybe there is something better than a Revo I'm unaware of, that's actually in stock.
I've spent the last month unsuccessfully trying to build an HTPC for my mother's birthday gift. Her birthday has since passed, but I haven't given up. I don't have a choice really. I sent back two defective ZOTAC IONITX-A-U Atom motherboards, and even though both boards were defective, I can't get a refund, only store credit.
I was going to get a Revo with my store credit, but now they're out of stock.
So my next plan is build an HTPC with a new case, and a mix of old parts from a 2005 PC. It needs to play 1080p mkv files, so I could really use the forum's advice here. This old PC plays all types of avi files, but struggles with HD video. Here are the specs:
- Motherboard: ASUS P4P800SE 478 Intel 865PE ATX Intel
- Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott 3.0GHz Socket 478 89W Single-Core
- Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100582L Radeon 9250 128MB
- Memory: CORSAIR 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400
Obviously I need to replace the graphic card with something modern. Since the mobo RAM is 4×184pin, I can't add any of my modern 240pin ram.
So my questions are:
1) will this old processor play HD video with the right graphic card?
2) if so, can you recommend one that will work with this ancient motherboard?
3) is 1GB ram enough to play HD smoothly, or should I buy more 184pin ram?
Thanks.
And if you have any other suggestions on how I can better spend the store credit to create an HTPC, I'm all ears. Maybe there is something better than a Revo I'm unaware of, that's actually in stock.