Windows or Linux for a 1.8GHz Pentium 4
#1
Hi,

I'm just about to set up a media centre on a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 PC.

I used to run MythTV on Ubuntu but fancy a change.

What would everyone recommend I use as an OS for a media centre on a 1.8GHz P4 which will be used to play music and downloaded videos? I'm only using a CRT TV so no HD.

Linux used to give me lots of issues getting everything working right so I'm thinking Windows XP might be an easier option.

Thanks
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#2
Hi and welcome to XBMC's forum!

We need some more parameters to answer your question,

What GPU (graphic card) and memory (ram) do you have on this system?
[XBMC-DX r31103 T! r455]
.:LAPTOP:. Dell [C2D E6400] [8G DDR2] [Intel X4500HD] [LED 14'' 1280*800@60p]
.:NAS:. Antec [Ci7 920] [12G DDR3] [Matrox m9148] [19.4 TiB] [Triple Samsung 22'' 5040*1050@60p]
.:HTPC:. Antec [C2 Q9400] [6G DDR2] [nv GT240 VP4] [SB X-FI Ti] [Toshiba 46'' 1920*1080@24p] [Logitech Z5K5]
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#3
Hi,

Currently there is a feable 256mb RAM in it, but I'm going to take that up to at least 1GB.

I don't know about the video card, but I'll be replacing it with one which has SVideo out on it. I think I'm going to try and find a GeForce 6 series card.
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#4
In that case I will recommend sticking to Linux,

Perhaps giving a try to the Live version available on xbmc.org's site is worth the shot? You just burn the CD (it has linux + XBMC camelot 9.11 the latest milestone release which is stable and fits your "basic" needs very well), then boot on the CD wait for it to boot and throw at it any movie and see the results,

I think you'd experience better results using Linux which as you may already know (you worked with it and mythtv) has a really better memory handling system which is what you're looking for with "only" 1G of ram

May the force be with you Smile
[XBMC-DX r31103 T! r455]
.:LAPTOP:. Dell [C2D E6400] [8G DDR2] [Intel X4500HD] [LED 14'' 1280*800@60p]
.:NAS:. Antec [Ci7 920] [12G DDR3] [Matrox m9148] [19.4 TiB] [Triple Samsung 22'' 5040*1050@60p]
.:HTPC:. Antec [C2 Q9400] [6G DDR2] [nv GT240 VP4] [SB X-FI Ti] [Toshiba 46'' 1920*1080@24p] [Logitech Z5K5]
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Windows or Linux for a 1.8GHz Pentium 40