Media PC [HP mini PC]

[bg_f50]

Hi Guys

I got a a HP desktop in a sale
Model HP RP5700

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12758_na/12758_na.PDF

looking for a decent graphics use the PC will be used only for XBMC
[PS : 240 watts and its mini version hence confused which card to go have googled a lot ]
can you pls let me know the graphics which suits my requirements

its Intel Core 2 DUO
2GB of DDR2 Ram[Do we need to upgrade the ram]

also pls let me know what other accessories do i need to buy

The PC as WinXP[64Bit] and boots fine

Thanks
-BG_F50

 

[manniraj]

I think you need to look for a low profile GPU something like this. If the room in the cabinet is not sufficient then look for a low profile fanless GPU of either a Nvidia or AMD.

 

[sam9s]

nVidia GT610 or 630 depending what you would use your PC more for .....

I would suggest GT630 as its same as GT440, the most used and powerfull card when it comes to HTPC and XBMC....

PS :: THis is assuming your mobo has PCIE x16 slot available. I did not check the pdf you have linked. But since its core2duo machine I
think the mobo will have it.

 

[haisaikat]

Whatever gpu you buy just research a bit on the power requirements since you have a limitation there w.r.t PSU capacity.

Radeon HD 5450 Power Consumption - Graphics Cards - Graphics & Displays

obviously the recommended wattage shown may be for max load and moderately higher performance configuration but then again it is not what power is actually consumed.

From my personal experience of using a low profile HD6670, my 350 watts slim PSU went dead twice in 3 years. This time using one from Techcomms priced higher, lets see how long it lasts. Am limited by the slim PSU due to space constraints.

 

[sam9s]

With 240 W assuming you have 1 DVD Drive and 1 7200 rpm HDD and a C2D, GT630 will just do fine ..... (but its a borderline case, any more addon cards or HDD and you gonna need a better PSU.)

Also you dont need to buy more ram 2 GB is fine. But please upgrade to win7 atleast, XBMC anyhow does not suppost XP now.

 

[arunsankar]

Hi Guys

I got a a HP desktop in a sale
Model HP RP5700

QuickSpecs Overview

looking for a decent graphics use the PC will be used only for XBMC
[PS : 240 watts and its mini version hence confused which card to go have googled a lot ]
can you pls let me know the graphics which suits my requirements

its Intel Core 2 DUO
2GB of DDR2 Ram[Do we need to upgrade the ram]
also pls let me know what other accessories do i need to buy

The PC as WinXP[64Bit] and boots fine

Thanks
-BG_F50

If the PC is exclusive for XBMC, I suggest trying out XBMCBuntu or OpenElec in place of a Windows installation. It will boot up much faster and I have personally felt XBMC works flawlessly on Linux than Windows. I am using XBMCBuntu on my living room running on zotac ion (single core 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM). And it plays 1080p flawlessly. Meanwhile am using another XBMC on windows for my projection system. Planning to migrate that also to Linux soon

 

[sam9s]

OpenELEC is really good been using OpenELEC on my HTPC as well now which was initially using Windows ....