[Kiggerbare]

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]

A simple GT210 would do perfectly. I have that same mobo-CPU in one of my HTPCs.

[Kiggerbare]

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]

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]

If you can buy passive (no fan).

I have a XFi and i love it, amazing sound.

[poofyhairguy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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-au...cification <-- This soundsystem.

[poofyhairguy]

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]

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]

I found this card, would it be all bad to put in it?
http://xssound.eu/index.php?page=shop.pr...54&lang=en

EDIT: Nvm i found the Xonar card you spoke about here: http://www.edbpriser.dk/Product/Details....id=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]

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]

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.