Login at Kodi Home

pglover19 · 2011-12-23, 22:51

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, and 1 GATEWAY SX2370-UB30P (AMD A6-3600) in my family room. Well, I have acquired a small form factor Dell Optiplex 960 today and would like to use this PC to run XBMC in my guest bedroom on a 42" Plasma. This PC will be streaming 1080P content over the network from my HP N40L server in the home theater.

Here is some specs on the Optiplex 960:
E8400 Dual Core CPU
Windows 2007 Professional
320GB Hard Drive
4GB of DDR2 Memory
Small Form Factor (SFF)
235W Standard Power Supply
1 low-profile PCIe x16 graphics - 35W MAx
On-board HDMI Video
GigaBit Network Card

You find the complete specs here (http://i.dell.com/sites/content/business...ure_cn.pdf).

So, the question is can I use this PC as a HTPC? If so, will this low profile, passive HD6450 card work in this PC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814150567).

Please advise....

pglover19 · 2011-12-24, 04:19

Anyone?

eskro · 2011-12-24, 08:31

well, looks good to me,,,
i mean, ICH10 chipset means u can enable AHCI SATA TYPE is u plan on using an SSD someday.
also, its Dual-Core CPU is definitely strong enough for win7 + XBMC + Heavy skins! expect no lags at all.
1GB Ethernet networking.
slot available for a discrete GPU.

bluray · (This post was last modified: 2011-12-24, 09:13 by bluray.)

pglover19 Wrote:E8400 Dual Core CPU
Windows 2007 Professional
1 low-profile PCIe x16 graphics - 35W MAx

So, the question is can I use this PC as a HTPC? If so, will this low profile, passive HD6450 card work in this PC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814150567).

Please advise....

E8400 Dual Core has plenty of horse power for XBMC HTPC. Here are two best suggestions-

1. Install Windows 7 64-bit to take advantage of 4GB of RAM and Hardware Accelerated Decoding via DXVA2 in XBMC.

2. Install the $29 HD6450 discrete GPU for smoother playback and enjoy other options (DTS-HD, TrueHD, 3D, etc). 235W of PSU in it should be enough to handle it.

pglover19 · 2011-12-24, 14:02

bluray Wrote:E8400 Dual Core has plenty of horse power for XBMC HTPC. Here are two best suggestions-

1. Install Windows 7 64-bit to take advantage of 4GB of RAM and Hardware Accelerated Decoding via DXVA2 in XBMC.

2. Install the $29 HD6450 discrete GPU for smoother playback and enjoy other options (DTS-HD, TrueHD, 3D, etc). 235W of PSU in it should be enough to handle it.

The machine had Windows 7 64 bit already installed on it.. I will be ordering the discrete graphic card today....

bluray · 2011-12-24, 20:08

pglover19 Wrote:The machine had Windows 7 64 bit already installed on it.. I will be ordering the discrete graphic card today....

With the $29 discrete GPU, you'll have a very nice HTPC then! Smile

eskro · 2011-12-24, 20:57

pglover19 Wrote:The machine had Windows 7 64 bit already installed on it.. I will be ordering the discrete graphic card today....

+1

pglover19 · 2011-12-24, 21:05

eskro Wrote:+1

Bluray & Eskro,

There are many choices as it relates to a low profile passive Radeon HD 6450 graphic cards on NewEgg.com. Is there a certain manufacturer that is better than others? They are about 10 different choices on NewEgg.com and I am not sure which one to purchase. I currently have a HIS HD 6450 card which is OK.. Please provide a recommendation. Price is not a concern.

eskro · 2011-12-24, 21:09

well I and Beer40onze both bought/use the HD645XZQH2

bluray · 2011-12-24, 21:46

pglover19 Wrote:Is there a certain manufacturer that is better than others? They are about 10 different choices on NewEgg.com and I am not sure which one to purchase. I currently have a HIS HD 6450 card which is OK.. Please provide a recommendation. Price is not a concern.

I own HIS and Sahpphire AMD GPU's. I never have any problem with it. For nearly the same price "shipped", you have these three choices:

SAPPHIRE 100322L Radeon HD 6450

XFX HD-645X-ZQH2 Radeon HD 6450

PowerColor Go! Green AX6450

You'll be happy with any of these brands!

eskro · 2011-12-24, 21:58

the HD645XZQH2 runs pretty cool compared to other FanLess GPU's!

**Beer40oz** · 2011-12-24, 21:59

eskro Wrote:well I and Beer40onze both bought/use the HD645XZQH2

Yup.... it's a winner! after many GPU's I have tested.... this one is the one for me.

pglover19 · 2011-12-24, 22:17

Beer40oz Wrote:Yup.... it's a winner! after many GPU's I have tested.... this one is the one for me.

Ok.. That is the one I will purchase. Please confirm that the link below is to the exact card you have. Just want to make sure before I purchase it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814150567

bluray · 2011-12-25, 00:14

pglover19 Wrote:Ok.. That is the one I will purchase. Please confirm that the link below is to the exact card you have. Just want to make sure before I purchase it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814150567

There is only one "XFX HD-645X-ZQH2 Radeon HD 6450 1GB 64-bit", and Newegg is one of the most trusted online store ! Smile

You'll be happy with it! Smile

**Beer40oz** · 2011-12-25, 00:17

pglover19 Wrote:Ok.. That is the one I will purchase. Please confirm that the link below is to the exact card you have. Just want to make sure before I purchase it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814150567

Correct one! Big Grin

Even at full price I won't hesitate to buy it again!