[ThEgOg]

hi

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]

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]

ok buddy thanks for the advice

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

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