Upgrade old pc, to HTPC. - Kiggerbare - 2011-01-05
Since my HTPC got stolen around christmastime im about to upgrade an old PC i got to make a new HTPC. What i need to know is what i should buy to make it play 1080p flawless, and have surround sound on this allso. It's 7.1 i need to connect to it.. Thou money is not an issue since it's gonna be insurance's thats gonna pay, i need a somewhat cheap method since im not gonna wait the months it's gonna take for it to be payed out.
TL;DR >> What do i need to upgrade this to play 1080p (XBMC, OS:Windows 7), 7.1 sound (5.1 could do i guess).
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Whats in it now:
Code: Summary
Operating System
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 37 °C
Windsor 90nm Technology
RAM
2.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 219MHz (5-5-5-18)
Motherboard
ECS GeForce6100PM-M2 (Socket AM2 )
Graphics
L204WT @ 800x600
128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (Elitegroup)
Hard Drives
313GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD321KJ SCSI Disk Device (ATA)
Optical Drives
ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P ATA Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
Operating System
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Installation Date: 05 January 2011, 01:34
Serial Number: XXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Windows Security Center
Firewall Enabled
Windows Defender
Windows Defender Enabled
CPU
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Cores 2
Threads 2
Name AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Code Name Windsor
Package Socket AM2 (940)
Technology 90nm
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
Family F
Extended Family F
Model B
Extended Model 4B
Stepping 2
Revision BH-F2
Instructions MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64
Bus Speed 219.6 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1098.1 MHz
Stock Core Speed 2000 MHz
Stock Bus Speed 200 MHz
Average Temperature 37 °C
Caches
L1 Data Cache Size 2 x 64 KBytes
L1 Instructions Cache Size 2 x 64 KBytes
L2 Unified Cache Size 2 x 512 KBytes
Core 0
Core Speed 1098.1 MHz
Multiplier x 5.0
Bus Speed 219.6 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1098.1 MHz
Temperature 37 °C
Thread 1
APIC ID 0
Core 1
Core Speed 1098.1 MHz
Multiplier x 5.0
Bus Speed 219.6 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1098.1 MHz
Temperature 36 °C
Thread 1
APIC ID 1
RAM
Memory slots
Total memory slots 4
Used memory slots 1
Free memory slots 3
Memory
Type DDR2
Size 2048 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 219.6 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tR?) 24 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T
SPD
Number Of SPD Modules 2
Slot #1
Type DDR2
Size 1024 MBytes
Manufacturer Nanya Technology
Max Bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part Number M2Y1G64TU8HB4B-25C
Serial Number 315A2144
Week/year 33 / 07
SPD Ext. EPP
JEDEC #3
Frequency 400.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
tRAS 18
tRC 23
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 266.7 MHz
CAS# Latency 4.0
RAS# To CAS# 4
RAS# Precharge 4
tRAS 12
tRC 16
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 200.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 3.0
RAS# To CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
tRAS 9
tRC 12
Voltage 1.800 V
Slot #2
Type DDR2
Size 1024 MBytes
Manufacturer Nanya Technology
Max Bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part Number M2Y1G64TU8HB4B-25C
Serial Number FA592145
Week/year 33 / 07
SPD Ext. EPP
JEDEC #3
Frequency 400.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
tRAS 18
tRC 23
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 266.7 MHz
CAS# Latency 4.0
RAS# To CAS# 4
RAS# Precharge 4
tRAS 12
tRC 16
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 200.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 3.0
RAS# To CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
tRAS 9
tRC 12
Voltage 1.800 V
Motherboard
Manufacturer ECS
Model GeForce6100PM-M2
Version 2.0
Chipset Vendor NVIDIA
Chipset Model MCP61
Chipset Revision A3
Southbridge Vendor NVIDIA
Southbridge Model MCP61
Southbridge Revision A2
BIOS
Brand Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version 6.00 PG
Date 12/13/2007
Graphics
Monitor
Name L204WT on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Current Resolution 800x600 pixels
Work Resolution 800x560 pixels
State enabled, primary, output devices support
Monitor Width 800
Monitor Height 600
Monitor BPP 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Frequency 75 Hz
Device \\.\DISPLAY1\Monitor0
GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
GPU MCP61P
Device ID 10DE-03D0
Revision A3
Subvendor Elitegroup (1019)
Technology 90 nm
DirectX Support 9.0c
DirectX Shader Model 3.0
OpenGL Support 2.0
Bus Interface FPCI
ForceWare version 258.96
BIOS Version 5.61.32.20.01
ROPs 2
Shaders Vertex 2/Pixel 2
Memory Type System
Physical Memory 128 MB
Virtual Memory 832 MB
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG HD321KJ SCSI Disk Device
Manufacturer SAMSUNG
Business Unit/Brand Desktop
Model Capacity For This Specific Drive 320GB
Interface ATA
Capacity 313GB
Real size 320.072.933.376 bytes
S.M.A.R.T
S.M.A.R.T not supported
Partition 0
Partition ID Disk #0, Partition #0
Disk Letter C:
File System NTFS
Volume Serial Number 380BF54F
Size 49GB
Used Space 16.7GB (35%)
Free Space 32.1GB (65%)
Partition 1
Partition ID Disk #0, Partition #1
Disk Letter D:
File System NTFS
Volume Serial Number FCA4F910
Size 249GB
Used Space 131GB (53%)
Free Space 119GB (47%)
Optical Drives
ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P ATA Device
Media Type DVD Writer
Name ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P ATA Device
Availability Running/Full Power
Capabilities Random Access, Supports Writing, Supports Removable Media
Config Manager Error Code Device is working properly
Config Manager User Config FALSE
Drive E:
Media Loaded FALSE
SCSI Bus 0
SCSI Logical Unit 0
SCSI Port 0
SCSI Target Id 0
Status OK
Audio
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Playback Devices
Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Højttalere (Realtek High Definition Audio) (default)
Peripherals
Standard PS/2-tastatur
Device Kind Keyboard
Device Name Standard PS/2-tastatur
Location indsat i tastaturporten
Driver
Date 6-21-2006
Version 6.1.7600.16385
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\i8042prt.sys
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\kbdclass.sys
Diskdrev
Device Kind USB storage
Device Name Diskdrev
Vendor WD
Comment WD My Book 1110 USB Device
Location USB-lagerenhed
Driver
Date 6-21-2006
Version 6.1.7600.16385
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\disk.sys
Diskdrev
Device Kind USB storage
Device Name Diskdrev
Vendor WD
Comment WD My Book 1110 USB Device
Location USB-lagerenhed
Driver
Date 6-21-2006
Version 6.1.7600.16385
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\disk.sys
Diskdrev
Device Kind USB storage
Device Name Diskdrev
Vendor ARX
Comment ARX Flash Disk USB Device
Location USB-lagerenhed
Driver
Date 6-21-2006
Version 6.1.7600.16385
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\disk.sys
Diskdrev
Device Kind USB storage
Device Name Diskdrev
Vendor WD
Comment WD My Book 1110 USB Device
Location USB-lagerenhed
Driver
Date 6-21-2006
Version 6.1.7600.16385
File C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\disk.sys
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Thanks in advance.
- poofyhairguy - 2011-01-05
A simple GT210 would do perfectly. I have that same mobo-CPU in one of my HTPCs.
- Kiggerbare - 2011-01-05
So a GeForce GT 210 and enable DXVA2 would make it able to play those big 1080p movies, or should i also buy some RAM?
Btw. can you suggest a soundcard i should buy for it?
- Beer40oz - 2011-01-05
Yes a 210 will..... it does for me with everything .mkv .m2ts.... the only thing .m2ts files if you need to forward it pixelates for a couple of seconds then gets back to normal. I love .mkv container it plays flawless....
This is the model I have EVGA 512-P3-1215-LR GeForce 210 it's DDR3 512mb.... they are out of stock everywhere but I think Amazon has some... there is some with DDR2 but I don't know if it's good or not.
- xbs08 - 2011-01-06
If you can buy passive (no fan).
I have a XFi and i love it, amazing sound.
- poofyhairguy - 2011-01-06
Kiggerbare Wrote:So a GeForce GT 210 and enable DXVA2 would make it able to play those big 1080p movies, or should i also buy some RAM?
Btw. can you suggest a soundcard i should buy for it?
A GT210 can play any 1080p movie I have, and I have rips that max the standard.
As far as soundcards go, the GT210 has one built in. As long as you can use HDMI audio it will output the GT210's HDMI port.
- Kiggerbare - 2011-01-06
Thanks alot for all your help.. Seems like it's impossible to get the "EVGA 512-P3-1215-LR GeForce 210" With the DDR3 ram instead of DDR2, but i've written some suppliers in denmark if they could get it home so i expect they answer sometime befor the weekend..
Anyway about the soundcard, the one i was gonna use was "Samsung HT-TZ325 Home Cinema" Since i got a pretty good deal on one, but as i see it i need "Optical Inputs" to use that one, so guess if im gonna get a good deal on that one i cant use the HDMI output from the GFX. Would be sweet thou..
- Beer40oz - 2011-01-06
Kiggerbare Wrote:Thanks alot for all your help.. Seems like it's impossible to get the "EVGA 512-P3-1215-LR GeForce 210" With the DDR3 ram instead of DDR2, but i've written some suppliers in denmark if they could get it home so i expect they answer sometime befor the weekend..
Anyway about the soundcard, the one i was gonna use was "Samsung HT-TZ325 Home Cinema" Since i got a pretty good deal on one, but as i see it i need "Optical Inputs" to use that one, so guess if im gonna get a good deal on that one i cant use the HDMI output from the GFX. Would be sweet thou..
I will bring it to you when I visit this year. My wife is from there. Yah you need no sound card since it comes built in the graphics card and use it via out the HDMI.
- Beer40oz - 2011-01-06
poofyhairguy Wrote:A GT210 can play any 1080p movie I have, and I have rips that max the standard.
As far as soundcards go, the GT210 has one built in. As long as you can use HDMI audio it will output the GT210's HDMI port.
Poofy does it make a difference with DDr2 instead of DDr3?
- Kiggerbare - 2011-01-06
Haha, not sure i can wait that long for it im affraid, and think i need a soundcard unless it's possible to get a converter that make the HDMI sound output go into the "Optical Input" on the "Samsung HT-TZ325 Home Cinema".
EDIT: Was wondering the same thing as you just mentioned if the DDR2 and DDR3 makes a big diffrence, bc the one with DDR2 is easy to find and i would be able to drive out and get one as soon as i got up.
EDIT2: http://www.samsung.com/ae/consumer/tv-audio-video/home-theatre/home-theatre-system/HT-TZ325T/MEA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification <-- This soundsystem.
- poofyhairguy - 2011-01-06
No, for decoding the differences between DDR 2 and 3 on a GPU don't matter. In fact, even when you are talking computer RAM, I think there are very few applications (gaming, encoding, and production work) that really benefit from DDR3 over DDR2. DDR2 is a safe play on this forum.
- poofyhairguy - 2011-01-06
Kiggerbare Wrote:Haha, not sure i can wait that long for it im affraid, and think i need a soundcard unless it's possible to get a converter that make the HDMI sound output go into the "Optical Input" on the "Samsung HT-TZ325 Home Cinema".
If you need a PCI soundcard with a digital out for that mobo, find a Xonar.
- Kiggerbare - 2011-01-06
I found this card, would it be all bad to put in it?
http://xssound.eu/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=47&category_id=23&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=54&lang=en
EDIT: Nvm i found the Xonar card you spoke about here: http://www.edbpriser.dk/Product/Details.aspx?pid=4281131.
Seems like i got the help i needed in here, im gonna buy the 210 DDR2 and the ASUS XONAR DG and have myself a HTPC once more.. Thanks alot for all the help guys.
- poofyhairguy - 2011-01-06
I am not a fan of Via technologies (aka the Windows drivers for the Via card I have simply don't work), but if you can get it cheap from a place with a good return policy it might be worth a shot. Honestly though I would rather a Creative USB soundcard over Via anything though....
- Kiggerbare - 2011-01-06
Heh, yes i also found a card like you were talking about, so my plan is to get the 210 DDR2 and the ASUS XONAR DG. Thanks alot for the help Poofy.
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