[V1V1D]

I currently have 2 desktops and was thinking a making a HTPC out of one of them. After doing some searching on here, I'm not sure my current system would be up to par in terms of a decent HTPC. The better of the 2 systems has an AMD FX57, 2 Geforce 6800gt in sli and 2 160gb drives and 2gb ram. I am pretty sure this set up would be fine for just surfing the internet and some casual HTPC activities? If I need to I don't mind putting a few bucks into it and making it a decent system that can do pretty much anything with the exception of hardcore gaming. I have a wii and a ps3 for that.

So please tell me what you guys think I should do.


A-leave the system in tact and run it as is

or

B-Upgrade to a better cpu/GPU/hardrives.

If B, please advise what to upgrade.

Thanks for the help.


BTW, this site is very addicting.

 

[ArtosDracon]

I'd say slap a Radeon HD5570 and another 2GB of ram in it and you'll be well up to, if not over par.

 

[V1V1D]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtosDracon /forum/post/18185345


I'd say slap a Radeon HD5570 and another 2GB of ram in it and you'll be well up to, if not over par.

That looks like a decent vid card. I like the fact it has hdmi. So my question, if I replace my video card with that one, do I just plug in a hdmi cable from there to my tv and will I get sound and vidoe from that source? Or do I need to hook something up to a receiver as well? Forgive my ignorance on this.. I have my ps3 set up via hdmi and I have zero issue with sound. I have an old Onkyo receiver with pretty decent Infinity towers as my sound source.


I appreciate the help.

 

[bighick]

If your AVR doenst have hdmi you would run hdmi to the tv and optical to the onkyo. If you pc doesn't have a spdif hookup you can but a usb spdif for around $25.

Just because you dont see spdif on your pc doenst mean there isnt a header inside of it that you can tie onto.


Edit- OR your tv may be able to pass the hdmi audio out on spdif (how are you hooked up currently with the ps3?

 

[mike_311]



Quote:
Originally Posted by V1V1D /forum/post/18185504


That looks like a decent vid card. I like the fact it has hdmi. So my question, if I replace my video card with that one, do I just plug in a hdmi cable from there to my tv and will I get sound and video from that source? Or do I need to hook something up to a receiver as well? Forgive my ignorance on this.. I have my ps3 set up via hdmi and I have zero issue with sound. I have an old Onkyo receiver with pretty decent Infinity towers as my sound source.


I appreciate the help.

yep the video card also passes the sound. as long as you have a hdmi device that can receive the sound. The newer ati cards will bitstream HD audio if your receiver has that capability.


2g or ram will be plenty for htpc, you may just want a bigger HDD for storage if you plan to store any video files, 320 gb wont last long, hell 1TB won't last long.

 

[ArtosDracon]

I have to disagree on the 2GB comment. I've runt he same system with 2GB, then 3.25 due to 32bit OS and finally up to 4GB and there is a noticeable increase in the perceived speed of the system.

 

[Servicetech571]

I say try it as-is and see how it works.

 

[mike 01hawk]

5450 cards can be had for cheap, sub $50.


And yeah, start pricing out "Green" 1.5 and 2tb HDs. 1.5s can be had for sub $90 if on sale.

 

[sotti]

it depends if you use your HTPC for anything.


If it's strictly an HTPC, 2gb is fine.


If you do stuff with the HTPC then you may think about going to 4gb.