A bit random....

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

Associate
Joined
11 Mar 2005
Posts
1,168
Morning all,

I've been given a Dell optiplex GX620 desktop machine, which I'm considering turning into a media pc...

Its got a P4 3ghz and 3gb ram and a 200gb hdd - at the moment, the only constraint is a pretty poor graphics card, an ATI X600 256mb graphics card that doesn't output too well.. 1280 * 1024 is the max resolution....

I suppose, I'm asking is it worth me purchasing a newer graphics card? If so, which one would output suitably? Either using a DVI - HDMI converter or other means...

I'm also considering a bluray drive? Worth it?

Or....

Should I just bin off the dell and build a htpc?

Cheers
 
new build tbh.

Dell motherboards are tosh
Dell power supplies are also tosh and wont have any spare power connectors needed for a higher end gfx card

Salvage the cpu memory and get yourself a cheap mobo case etc and start from scratch.

Nothing like a good excuse for a new build :P
 
Musty Pie said:
new build tbh.

Dell motherboards are tosh
Dell power supplies are also tosh and wont have any spare power connectors needed for a higher end gfx card

Salvage the cpu memory and get yourself a cheap mobo case etc and start from scratch.

Nothing like a good excuse for a new build :P
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me! Any ideas?

deleted said:
Depends if you can afford it, that system is more than capable of being a media centre with a graphics update.
Click to expand...

Would you recommend a specific graphics card? I have to say - I thought it would be a bit daft to not try and make use of it.. any ideas?
 
I think an ati 4670 would fit the bill as dont think they require a pcie 6pin power adapter (assuming it is pcie) and output via hdmi and only 60-70 quid

if you did change the base unit at a later date you could still use the card/hdd and blueray (if you get one) :)
 
G1BB0 said:
I think an ati 4670 would fit the bill as dont think they require a pcie 6pin power adapter (assuming it is pcie) and output via hdmi and only 60-70 quid

if you did change the base unit at a later date you could still use the card/hdd and blueray (if you get one) :)
Click to expand...

Its PCIe x16! Cheers. I'll have a nose and see what OCUK can offer!

I'm still interested in a new build though.. so I'll keep my options open - but I think you're right in the first instance upgrade the graphics might be an idea!

Keep the ideas coming folks! :)

Something like this...

linky....
 
Last edited:
could use 2x molex to 6pin pcie adapter tho which may well come in the box (if not I've got one you can have lol)
 
I have a 2nd pc running sli 7800gtx's connected via dvi/hdmi adapter to my lcd tv via hdmi and detects tv sweet as, can get one for 20-30 quid which would do the job aswell
 
G1BB0 said:
I have a 2nd pc running sli 7800gtx's connected via dvi/hdmi adapter to my lcd tv via hdmi and detects tv sweet as, can get one for 20-30 quid which would do the job aswell
Click to expand...

You wanna point me in the direction of a suitable card!? :)

The optiplex only has space for one pci e and then one pci and a riser card.. pretty tight in there - but I could get a decent pci e card?

Cheers G1bbo!
 
what i meant was the 7800 works fine with a dvi/hdmi adapter, I use o/b sound to my pc in on tv and works a treat as a media box and running games (on an fx57 single core)

there has been a lot of cards on members market lately, I got a 4850 for 75 quid posted!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom