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Message
Computer Question - Building a movie storage desktop
Posted on 1/9/14 at 9:48 am
Posted on 1/9/14 at 9:48 am
I have an older dell computer that has a crapped hard drive.
Here are the specs:
I want to repair/refurbish this to where I can watch movies on my TV, and tuck this tower into my entertainment center while spending as little money as possible.
I think I need to add a cheap HDMI video card (32 bucks at amazon) and a 1 TB Hard Drive (60 bucks at amazon). Hopefully I can find the original backup disk but if not, I'm not sure what to do about re-installing windows on the machine.
Is this worth doing? or would i be better off purchasing this desktop off of ebay?
LINK
I'd be spending a little more, but I wouldnt have to worry about any problems, it would be more or less plug and play.
The most computing this thing will likely do is maybe a torrent client and backing up some pictures/files/etc.
TIA
eta: when speaking to me about computers/components, pretend i'm your mom, because I probably have about as much knowledge as her
Here are the specs:
I want to repair/refurbish this to where I can watch movies on my TV, and tuck this tower into my entertainment center while spending as little money as possible.
I think I need to add a cheap HDMI video card (32 bucks at amazon) and a 1 TB Hard Drive (60 bucks at amazon). Hopefully I can find the original backup disk but if not, I'm not sure what to do about re-installing windows on the machine.
Is this worth doing? or would i be better off purchasing this desktop off of ebay?
LINK
I'd be spending a little more, but I wouldnt have to worry about any problems, it would be more or less plug and play.
The most computing this thing will likely do is maybe a torrent client and backing up some pictures/files/etc.
TIA
eta: when speaking to me about computers/components, pretend i'm your mom, because I probably have about as much knowledge as her
This post was edited on 1/9/14 at 9:51 am
1
Posted on 1/9/14 at 9:57 am to Croacka
you could build a perfectly good computer that will fit your needs from scratch for $300, not including OS cost of course. I would go that route first, since each component would be under warranty.
Having said that, your Core2Duo and 2 GB of ram will get the job done.
Having said that, your Core2Duo and 2 GB of ram will get the job done.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 9:58 am to jcole4lsu
i don't even want to spend 90 dollars on this venture, much less 300
i want to frankenstein some stuff together and just have it fit my needs
i want to frankenstein some stuff together and just have it fit my needs
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:03 am to Croacka
then a cheap video card with hdmi and a large storage hdd is the way to go. i have set up a few refurb optiplex slim lines that have similar specs as htpc's.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:06 am to jcole4lsu
ok, question though
the original computer has an integrated video card
will i run into problems installing a PCI card?
anything special I need to do other than drivers?
the original computer has an integrated video card
will i run into problems installing a PCI card?
anything special I need to do other than drivers?
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:08 am to Croacka
no, install the card and install the drivers and you should be fine. if you do run into a problem come back and someone will walk you through troubleshooting the problem
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:13 am to jcole4lsu
quote:
no, install the card and install the drivers and you should be fine.
This, and it shouldn't be an issue. What are you outputting your sound through and into? For example, does your integrated sound card have optical or digital coax....or is it just an old fashioned stereo plug?
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:14 am to SaintEB
quote:
What are you outputting your sound through and into?
well, thats a good question
i assume the video card's hdmi port doesn't carry sound?
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:28 am to Croacka
one thing i definitely need instruction on....
when i get this new hard drive, where do I even begin once i plug this thing in
is there anything possible similar to mirroring the existing drive to the new drive? even though the old drive is not working properly
maybe i could hook it up as an external to another computer and retrieve the files on it?
when i get this new hard drive, where do I even begin once i plug this thing in
is there anything possible similar to mirroring the existing drive to the new drive? even though the old drive is not working properly
maybe i could hook it up as an external to another computer and retrieve the files on it?
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:38 am to Croacka
quote:
will i run into problems installing a PCI card?
anything special I need to do other than drivers?
You need to check the power that will be required to run a new card and hard drive...Your old power supply may not handle it..The post regarding building from scratch would include things like this, versus having to buy a new one later
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:54 am to Croacka
quote:
i assume the video card's hdmi port doesn't carry sound?
I honestly don't know. I need to look that up.
ETA: A quick google search says yes, if its a newer card. I'm assuming "older" card means one of the very first and shouldn't be an issue for you.
This post was edited on 1/9/14 at 10:55 am
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:56 am to GrammarKnotsi
quote:
You need to check the power that will be required to run a new card and hard drive
That's a great point. I don't imagine the drive will be an issue, but the video card can be.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 10:59 am to SaintEB
According to Dells website, you Vostro 220 has a 300W Power supply. You don't have much in it as it is. What are the power requirements of the card you want?
ETA: I'm assuming this one? LINK
If that is the one, the EVGA website recommends 350W supply.
ETA2: This one is $42, but says it only needs 75W of power. LINK
ETA: I'm assuming this one? LINK
If that is the one, the EVGA website recommends 350W supply.
ETA2: This one is $42, but says it only needs 75W of power. LINK
This post was edited on 1/9/14 at 11:06 am
Posted on 1/9/14 at 11:25 am to GrammarKnotsi
quote:
You need to check the power that will be required to run a new card and hard drive
as long as he picks up a low end card like a hd6450, he will be fine. something fanless that doesnt require an additional external power connection.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 11:52 am to jcole4lsu
I cancelled the card I ordered to give myself more time to research the power issue
Posted on 1/9/14 at 12:02 pm to Croacka
The PSU should be fine for a small video card. And sound will go through the HDMI as well.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 12:22 pm to RedbeardAU
quote:
The PSU should be fine for a small video card. And sound will go through the HDMI as well.
i believe the card i ordered (the first one EB linked) requires 350w, which is a bit too much for my PS
i'll look at ones with lower demand just to be safe
eta: just ordered this one, think it uses 75w
LINK
This post was edited on 1/9/14 at 12:27 pm
Posted on 1/9/14 at 1:25 pm to Croacka
It probably doesn't actually require that. I run a 300w PSU in my HTPC and ran into the same issue when I replaced the video card last year. I started doing some research and found out that the card didn't even need close to that. Look around in reviews or forum posts to see what people say about the wattage.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 1:46 pm to Croacka
quote:
just ordered this one, think it uses 75w
It might not even reach that on max load.
You want a pure video storage box which can stream? I believe I get you to $150 with a free OS. All OSes are free.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 1:48 pm to RedbeardAU
Thanks for the downvote by whomever that was. Card manufacturers routinely overstate the system requirements to help fend off people from complaining when they have a garbage PSU that doesn't even push close to the wattage that it claims. If the card doesn't require a separate power connection from the PSU, it's likely to work; but like I said, check into it first.
And when I mentioned checking out forums for info, I did not mean this one.
And when I mentioned checking out forums for info, I did not mean this one.
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