Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: want to make a really CHEAP cinema pc

  1. #1
    i have a huge stack of movies (xvid and divx) all burnt to cds, and i wanna make a really cheap pc to hook up to my tv in my room so i can watch my movies. i want a pc tho NOT a divx/xvid player. so i would like some suggestions for motherboard and processor and all that. as long as it will play my movies without lag ill be happy.
    heres wut all i need for suggestions:

    motherboard (with onboard audio)
    case and psu
    processor
    memory
    video card (S-VIDEO OUT required)
    hard drive

    the rest i already know wut im gettin:

    16x/48x dvd-rom/cd-rom
    logitech keyboard
    microsoft mouse

    im gonna be using my stereo for my speakers for it and my tv for my moniter


    thanks for all help and suggestions!

    please keep the whole thing as cheap as possible!! (under $300 if possible, $400 MAX)
    Gaint Antispyware is the #1 greatest Spyware/Adware cleaner ever created, I recomend it to everybody, even if you don't think you need it.

  2. Software & Hardware   -   #2
    ahctlucabbuS's Avatar <
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Oslo
    Posts
    1,917
    Can I ask why you prefer a pc over a DVD player that handles divx/Xvid?

  3. Software & Hardware   -   #3
    muchspl2
    Guest
    yea no doubt, 70 phillips can't loose, but I run movies on a 500mmz laptop so you really don't need anything much faster

  4. Software & Hardware   -   #4
    Storm's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +3
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    crazy skiing monkey
    Posts
    1,316
    Quote Originally Posted by Barky
    Can I ask why you prefer a pc over a DVD player that handles divx/Xvid?
    codec upgrades........


    @ pgd:

    video card (S-VIDEO OUT required): something cheap like the 9200 SE (preferably the one with only VGA/TV out, not DVI, cause that costs 6 bucks extra)
    hard drive: doesnt really matter....... if you want the movies on the disk, then a big one, else 40 GiB is MORE than enough (you could do with 10GiB)

    the mobo, CPU and RAM are really dependant on the OS you will be running on it.........

    windows requires more than linux, XP more than 2k/98...........

  5. Software & Hardware   -   #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Storm
    codec upgrades........
    I want windows xp pro on it (no need to purchase it tho... hehe)

    i was thinkin this setup:
    some cheap amd mobo with oboard audio
    athlon xp1700
    256mb of cheap ram
    9200se video card
    40gb western digital (the 20gb is more expensive)

    I'm using www.newegg.com btw
    Gaint Antispyware is the #1 greatest Spyware/Adware cleaner ever created, I recomend it to everybody, even if you don't think you need it.

  6. Software & Hardware   -   #6
    Storm's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +3
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    crazy skiing monkey
    Posts
    1,316
    Quote Originally Posted by pc-gamer-dude
    I want windows xp pro on it (no need to purchase it tho... hehe)
    bad boy

    Quote Originally Posted by pc-gamer-dude
    i was thinkin this setup:
    some cheap amd mobo with oboard audio
    athlon xp1700
    256mb of cheap ram
    9200se video card
    40gb western digital (the 20gb is more expensive)
    sounds good..........
    except you'll prolly need more RAM to make it run smoothly....... XP is a real memory hog, so you prolly will need 512 MB to make it all run without any hickups........

    do you want 5.1 sound with that? if so it will make it more costly as wel...... and do you want a monitor to go with that thing??? you prolly will only need one to set it up, then afterwards you can run it off your TV.........

    Quote Originally Posted by pc-gamer-dude
    40gb western digital (the 20gb is more expensive)
    weird huh?

  7. Software & Hardware   -   #7
    no 5.1, and ill use the moniter i have now to set it up so everything works. Im about 90% sure i wont need more ram because im gonna turn off the themes and all that other shit off in windows xp off. on my current pc right after start up all the windows services and junk are only using about 70mbs of memory. so 256 should be plenty. and nope, 5.1 sound aint gonna happen. my steroeo that im gonna use doesnt have 5.1. only 2 channel. i dont need 5.1 anyways. so no worries there.

    heres the system ive come up with:

    case/psu-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    cd/dvd drive-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    hard drive-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    keyboard/mouse combo-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    system ram-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    motherboard-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    processor-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE

    video card-
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...factory=BROWSE


    Any suggestion to change? If not I'll be gettin that in about a month (I'm broke!)
    Gaint Antispyware is the #1 greatest Spyware/Adware cleaner ever created, I recomend it to everybody, even if you don't think you need it.

  8. Software & Hardware   -   #8
    tesco's Avatar woowoo
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Canadia
    Posts
    21,669
    128mb ram.
    atleast p3 450mhz.
    any video card with tv out (mx440's work great).
    isntall windows 98se or windows 2000 with klite codec pack and you've got a working system.
    I'd also put in a dvd drive so i could watch dvds and since you will need to read cds anyway.

    oh and any size hard drive you want.

    edit: the parts you chose above are way more powerful than you need, seems like a big waste of money imo. (except the video card)
    Last edited by tesco; 10-09-2004 at 11:28 PM.

  9. Software & Hardware   -   #9
    Quote Originally Posted by muchspl2
    I run movies on a 500mmz laptop so you really don't need anything much faster
    same here my laptop: 550mhz pIII 64mb ram 6 gb hd windows 2000, its all you need for movies on the go!

  10. Software & Hardware   -   #10
    Storm's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +3
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    crazy skiing monkey
    Posts
    1,316
    id try second hand btw..........

    it shouldnt be to hard 2 get a 500+ mHz PC for a couple of bucks.........

    you might have to upgrade some stuff, but it will definitly save ya alot of cash.........

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •