HTPC/ XPMCE Advice Required please

[New Start Neil]

Hi all,

I've got a nice wired network that I'd like to take advantage of!

I've got a Dell Optiplex GX280 that I would like to run as an HTPC if that's possible.

I don't need any TV recording facilities out of it as I already have Sky +.

What I would like the ability to do is watch HD clips & movies on my Hitachi 42PD7200 Plasma.

As I said, I can hard wire the Dell into my LAN underneath the TV, but is this really suitable for an HTPC or am I bettr of building something dedicated for what I want to achieve.

My XBOX 360 is also on the LAN, but I don't really have the want/need to change anything with it as all I really want to do is play games on it!

I hope that all makes sense, all replies will be gratefully received!

Cheers.

[Edit]-Sorry, I forgot to mention that the GX280 has 1Gb of Ram & an 80Gb SATA Hard Drive (that I would obviously be looking to upgrade!)

 

[Deleted member 39241]

Hi, the Dell should be fine - if it can playback the HD clips now (CPU power enough) then you just use the plasma like a big monitor, connect it to your LAN and away you go. You won't even have to upgrade the hard drive if you stream media across your network.

Now that will get you going...but... if you start wanting to tweak for improvements you may like a nicer looking case, quieter or passive cooling, an upgraded graphics card for improved picture quality... etc..

 

[New Start Neil]

Hi, the Dell should be fine - if it can playback the HD clips now (CPU power enough) then you just use the plasma like a big monitor, connect it to your LAN and away you go. You won't even have to upgrade the hard drive if you stream media across your network.

Now that will get you going...but... if you start wanting to tweak for improvements you may like a nicer looking case, quieter or passive cooling, an upgraded graphics card for improved picture quality... etc..

Thanks for that.

I just know I'm going to want to upgrade sooner rather than later!

I'm just wondering if buying/building a better spec'd one would be the way to go as the Dell does look damn ugly!

Ideally I'd like something that looked in place with my Philips 5900/Sky + Box/Denon 1906 amp.

I'm a bit new to this whole MCE thing as you can probably tell, but thanks again for the advice.