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afterdawn.com > forums > home theater > home theater pc > does this look like it will work?
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Does this look like it will work?
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bcblair
Newbie
_ 		27. January 2008 @ 20:19 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I ordered the PC listed below. It is refurbed or $350. I plan to use it for HTPC. If it won't work I should be able to cancel it in the am, but it seems to meet all the HD minimum system req.. A HTPC site mentions the MSI card below for HTPC, but others recommend 512 memory. Is this card limited and how? Can anyone recommend a good valued card, if this one is not adequate. I want to be able to play hd content. I will add either Blu-ray or HD DVD also at some point. I don't game at all and don't do much editing of video. I do photography though.



MSI NX8500GT-MTD256EH GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Silent Heatsink Video Card

Below is the computer.

Features/Specifications:
Compaq SR5050NX Pentium D 3.0 GHz System Vista Home Premium


General Features:
Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Basic pre-installed with COA
Intel Pentium D 925 3.0 GHz processor
1024 MB RAM installed (supports up to 4 GB PC2-4200)
250 GB SATA hard disk drive
16x DVD±RW drive with LightScribe
Integrated video
Realtek ALC 888 chipset integrated High Definition audio
Integrated 10/100 Base-T Ethernet adapter
56K data/fax PCI modem
Built-in memory card reader/writer


Card Reader Support:
Compact Flash I
Compact Flash II
IBM Microdrive
Secure Digital (SD)
mini-SD
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Reduced size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC)
MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus)
MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick Pro
Memory Stick Duo
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SmartMedia
xD Picture Card


Motherboard Features:
One (1) PCI Express x 16 slot
Three (3) PCI slots (one occupied)


Front I/O Ports:
Two (2) USB 2.0 ports
Line-in jack
Microphone jack
Headphone jack


Rear I/O Ports:
One (1) 15-pin standard VGA connector
One (1) PS/2 mouse port
One (1) PS/2 keyboard port
Four (4) USB 2.0 ports
One (1) IEEE 1394 6-pin FireWire port
One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet jack
One (1) RJ-11 phone jack
One (1) SPDIF out (coaxial)
One (1) 3.5 mm line-in jack
One (1) 3.5 mm line-out jack
One (1) 3.5 mm side speaker out jack
One (1) 3.5 mm rear speaker out jack
One (1) 3.5 mm center/sub speaker out jack
One (1) 3.5 mm microphone jack


Case Features:
Two (2) 5.25-inch external drive bays (one occupied)
Three (3) 3.5-inch internal drive bays (one occupied)


Unit Dimensions:
15 x 6.75 x 17-inches (H x W x D, approximate)


Regulatory Approvals:
FCC

Package Includes:
Compaq SR5050NX Pentium D 3.0 GHz System
Microsoft Vista Home Premium pre-installed with COA
PS/2 keyboard
PS/2 mouse
Power cord
RJ-11 phone cord
Set up poster

Additional Information:


Product Requirements:
Available power outlet
[ + quote]
nownthen
Senior Member
_ 		28. January 2008 @ 19:50 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
It sounds good. For a HTPC I can see some upgrades that your going to want to do. RAM you'd probably want a minimum of 2 GB rather than 1. Also if you plan on having a collection of content on the hard drive you'll probably want to get more drive space. It is limited for tv output if that is something your interested in. The only video output listed is VGA.

They don't mention including a remote control for the Media Centre part of the OS. Those are handy to have if your going to watch a lot of media. You can buy the remotes so it doesn't really matter.

There isn't any mention of any type of video input or tv capture card.
[ + quote]
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it
evocre8r
Junior Member
_ 		4. February 2008 @ 16:28 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
For the price, it Looks good to me. I would definately up the RAM though, especially if you plan on running VISTA Media Center. Does this mobo support s1 and s2 standby mode? If so great! That means you can boot and hybernate your system relatively easily by just pressing the power button. Only a little bit of power would be given the system so when it boots, it will do so rapidly. Its a lot more detailed but I just wanted to add that :)

evocre8r
[ + quote]
Strike him down...and if he gets up, strike him again! Get outta here.
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evocre8r
Junior Member
_ 		4. February 2008 @ 16:28 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
For the price, it Looks good to me. I would definately up the RAM though, especially if you plan on running VISTA Media Center. Does this mobo support s1 and s2 standby mode? If so great! That means you can boot and hybernate your system relatively easily by just pressing the power button. Only a little bit of power would be given the system so when it boots, it will do so rapidly. Its a lot more detailed but I just wanted to add that :)

evocre8r
[ + quote]
Strike him down...and if he gets up, strike him again! Get outta here.
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