[jjchambers]

I bought these parts a while ago and wondered if I'll need a dedicated video card to run XBMC (linux or live not sure yet) or if the on-board video will work. Currently I have nothing at 1080p (720p TV and pj and SD dvd collection) but would like to move that way soon. I'd also like it to be able to stream hulu and netflix...

mobo: Intel BOXDG45FC LGA 775 Intel G45 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
onboard video: Intel GMA X4500HD
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813121353

cpu: Intel Celeron 430 Conroe-L 1.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache LGA 775 35W Single-Core Processor
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116039

1 or 2 gig or ram I can't remember right now and 2.5" 500gig 5400rpm hard drive. If I do need a better video card it will have to be low profile. Trying to stay as cheap as possible right now until I figure out if I can drop my cable bill.

Thanks in advance!

J

Edit: here's the case I'm using also: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811234022

[poofyhairguy]

That Celeron might be too weak for streaming Flash at stock speeds, just a warning (I have the Celeron 420 and it just doesn't do the job without Windows 7+ Flash 10.1+ Supported GPU). But in Linux (which is the same as Live by the way) you don't get that hardware acceleration of Flash, which means you have to limp by on CPU power.

I guess you could try it and if it doesn't work, either give up streaming content (that is what I did) or drop a better CPU in there.

As far as GPU: technically that GPU has trouble in Linux (as in it works, but not well unless you are a Linux guru). I would strongly recommend and Nvidia card. Here is the cheapest low profile one I could find with HDMI audio support:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814187093

If you don't need HDMI audio (aka you have an AV receiver that you connect with an optical cable), than this card for half price will playback 1080p as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814143177

[jjchambers]

Thanks for the response Poofy, but I think I just found a bigger problem. My mobo only has a PCI express X1 slot. The 2 cards you linked are PCI express 2.0 x16 so they won't fit. Are there any good PCI X1 cards that will work?

The cpu was going to be another question but you answered that. I do have a Core 2 Duo E7200 from my desktop that I could put in there. That would help with the steaming but would it help w/ XBMC with my current on board video?

Thanks!

J

[poofyhairguy]

The cpu was going to be another question but you answered that. I do have a Core 2 Duo E7200 from my desktop that I could put in there. That would help with the steaming but would it help w/ XBMC with my current on board video?

Thanks!

J

Oh yeah. I think that a E7200 would play 1080p video all by itself! No need for a new graphic card!

[sraue]

Oh yeah. I think that a E7200 would play 1080p video all by itself! No need for a new graphic card!

i think so also, an better cpu as an celeron and you on the right way. I use XBMC also with an Intel X4500 CPU without problems (also for HD content) on my notebook (Core2Duo @ 1.86GHz). I have no problems with the intel driver under Linux (the driver also starts a lot faster as the Nvidia driver)

[jjchambers]

Cool! Gives me a good reason to upgrade the cpu in my desktop anyway. Not sure when I'll get around to it, but wanted to know in case a good deal comes along.

Thanks!

J