old rig into htpc

[looney]

I'm thinking of putting my previous rig into some use, as its still really good for day to day use and is just collecting up the dust at the moment. I was thinking of converting it into a HTPC possibly or something portable, and will probbaly install myth tv on it,

Heres the specs:

AMD Semprawn 2800 - 1.6Ghz + stock hsf
Asus K8V-MX
400w psu
80gig hdd
256mb ddr
Radeon 9200SE
dvd/cd combo


I'll need to buy some more ram and a tv card, any recommendations?

also i need a mini case preferably a htpc case or those cube ones (no tower), some of those ev cases look good, it has to be small and compact in dimensions, and be able to accomodate all the components,

Budget is under £100 for all three

Thanks

[shadowmaster]

I have heard this case is good for an htpc-

0761345-00281-3 - Antec NSK 2480-UK DESKTOP CASE NEW SOLUTION SERIES UK (0761345-00281-3)

It comes with a 380watt earthwatts psu, which you dont need, however it is a very good psu.

[TAKTAK]

have a word with SiM cos he's ust put a HTPC together and the case he is using is very very nice i can't remember what it is tho and i can't find the thread

TV card wise i'd tend to stick with happague so theres this one HERE which is £34.77 <<<took me ages to find that i can't find a tuner section

as for the RAM, i'm finding it quite hard to find some decent PC3200 for cheap , best i've come up with ATM is this HERE for £27.40

so RAM+Tuner = £62.17 leaving £37.83 for the case.

Edit: It's actually the one that shadowmaster has posted i think . It's HERE on Scan which would put the overall total at £129.09 , but if you shop around i'm sure you can find things cheaper, and you may find a cheaper and as good tv tuner on scan, if you can find the right section

[staffsMike]

have a word with SiM cos he's ust put a HTPC together and the case he is using is very very nice i can't remember what it is tho and i can't find the thread

It's the one above

It's essentially a cut down version of the antec fusion with all the nice quiet bits left in Perfect case for the job unles it puts you over budget as it is &#163;60+

AMD Semprawn 2800 - 1.6Gh

classic

[TAKTAK]

It's the one above

Aye He beat me to it , i was too busy trying to find the TV tuner section on scans webby, i still havn't managed it

[staffsMike]

Aye He beat me to it , i was too busy trying to find the TV tuner section on scans webby, i still havn't managed it

this one?

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[TAKTAK]

this one?

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I actually went in that section aswell i just saw remotes
*Hides Head in shame*

[Karl The Gimp]

just a quick tip, aways looks at the dimensions, I got the Antec Fusion and its slighty to deep for my tv stand, the front edge hangs over the edge of the glass shelf oops!

[SiM]

Get this ram

I haven't put my HTPC together yet, I am going to do it in a week or so when I move back home. (Last/hardest exam today! I should go to bed!)

The case looks good, but I haven't got it yet. Its in transit (to London address) so I'll let you know what I think about it if you can wait a week
And if you go for the case, don't get it from the link above... get it from Scan.. with postage it works out at about the same

With the spec of that PC, you won't be able to do much... No HD stuff or anything like that... It should work fine as a PVR though

[TheReaFireblade]

Here's a couple of HTPC/SFF cases you might want to consider...

I bought this Thermaltake LanBox Lite VF6000BWS Gaming Cube for £54.09:




And this AeroCool M-40 Cube for just £37.54 (£43.71 delivered)

[Eddd]

@TheReaFireblade - where're the prices from?

[staffsMike]

The areocool is the one I'd have and you can get it at x-case.co.uk

You can use lots of slow spinning 80mm fans like sharkoon eagles in there to keep it cool and it has the 120mm intake which is good too.

As SIM says though, don't expect too much from that system in terms of HD stuff you would probably be better off starting from scratch if you are serious about it.

[looney]

Thanks guys, not too fussed about hd et al, as the point of this is to reclycle all the parts and put them to some use so im hoping all of it will serve as a good media center pc whilst being able to do other stuff like web browsing and so on.

On the case front, those antecs are unfortunately over budget, but that aerocool is the sort of case i was looking for, although that one looks abit fugly, but will check it out in terms of dimensions and so on.

i'm also tempted by this EV Silver MATX Media Center Case With Brushed Aluminium Front Panel - No PSU - Ebuyer

Regarding TV cards, thanks for the link taktak, that looks good, theres a compro one that is £10 cheaper which looks half decent, and lol yeh i too struggled to find the tv card section! had to use the serach function instead.

as for ram is pny a good make?

how about this kingston? Kingston 1GB DDR Memory - Cheap at Ebuyer!

[Eddd]

For RAM I stick to Corsair and Kingston

[llololloy]

for the tuner, how about this dual tuner for £18? I have it, it's not bad but can be fussy with low freeview signal.
as for ram, what about ebay? quick search found new ddr400 for £18 delivered

[Eddd]

Found the RAM even cheaper here. Brand new and only &#163;17 with free delivery