Kodi Community Forum
pentium 4 dell dimension 5150 base unit or emachines 1401 - Printable Version

+- Kodi Community Forum (https://forum.kodi.tv)
+-- Forum: Discussions (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=222)
+--- Forum: Hardware (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=112)
+--- Thread: pentium 4 dell dimension 5150 base unit or emachines 1401 (/showthread.php?tid=117435)



pentium 4 dell dimension 5150 base unit or emachines 1401 - ThEgOg - 2011-12-22

hi Smile

i'm trying to get an xbmc install and some kind of usenet download capability in one box at minimum cost, i'e what i already have.

i've got an old dell base unit its a pentium 4 processor, 1 gb of ram in 2 sticks.

if i added the right gfx card would this be sufficient for xbmc? how much more ram will i need?

pros dell

easy to add more storage
have a few 3.5 hd's sitting idle
if it gets damaged/stolen i wouldn't be too bothered.
allow me to leave 1401 at home to use in other room

cons dell

ugly
probably require more ram
gfx card

i also have a stock emachines 1401

pros 1401

small
cheap
easy to setup xbmc on
hdmi out

cons 1401

limited storage (i'll have to purchase external storage)
ugly
hassle to upgrade


i work away in the week with free internet access it would be my box whilst i'm away. i already have 2 zbox's at home they get all their data from my unraid server. i'll need this other box to be the server and xbmc all in one.

i was planning on using the 1401 but from what i've read if i wanted to use win 7 i'd need to upgrade the ram to 4gb, which looks like a fair bit of hassle.

i'm running live on my other installs but wouldn't know if its posssible to have live and use it as a download box?

what do you guys think?

many thanks for your time


- tyger - 2011-12-22

do not go the dell route the pentium 4 will only drive you up the wall speaking from experience have a dimension 2400 at home and xbmc is a serious no go with 4 gigs of ram on win 7


- ThEgOg - 2011-12-22

ok buddy thanks for the advice Smile

i suppose i'll have to use windows on the 1401 so i'll need to upgrade the ram in that thenUndecided

or could i go down the ubuntu route or even better somehow do it all from xbmc live?