Help Spec a silent media centre

Blackhorse · 7 Jun 2007 at 09:11

Im looking at building as quiet as possible media centre as possible for the downstairs telly.
Although not sure where to start!
I built my PC with the help of you guys just shot of a year ago when conroe launched and its still state of the art to this day!

But with downstairs it doesnt need to be as powerfull as i want to really aim it box that will record sky, play DVD's, play movie files (mainly so i dont need to mess with sticking them on DVD!)

The TV it will be plugged into is, the panasonic TH-37PE50B (it doesnt have a HDMI slot altough it does have component)

I was thinking Vista may be nice, but would i be better with WinMediaCentre? As it would be less resource hungry? But both my laptop and PC run vista?? grrr
Also thought conroe was still a no brainer, but as for fans and cases video cards ect. ??

Cheer guys

Jaffa_Cake · 7 Jun 2007 at 09:15

Whats your total budget?

1gb of ram running XP MCE will reduce price, can get some very quiet systems @ low budget for media use.

Blackhorse · 7 Jun 2007 at 09:36

Jaffa_Cake said:
Whats your total budget?

1gb of ram running XP MCE will reduce price, can get some very quiet systems @ low budget for media use.

lol i dont know to be honest, if i say £400?? Im quite open to go above this if there is good reason to

PhillyDee · 7 Jun 2007 at 09:36

If you are thinking of vista, go for the passive cooled 8500. I bought the cheapest 8500GT for mine as it has the HDTV out (component) and its new technology. But the fan is loud. So ive had to buy a 3rd party cooler which im hoping (Fingers crossed) that it fits on since its not made for that card. It arrives today, so im hoping to do a mod-by-pictures of it.

Blackhorse · 7 Jun 2007 at 15:54

PhillyDee said:
If you are thinking of vista, go for the passive cooled 8500. I bought the cheapest 8500GT for mine as it has the HDTV out (component) and its new technology. But the fan is loud. So ive had to buy a 3rd party cooler which im hoping (Fingers crossed) that it fits on since its not made for that card. It arrives today, so im hoping to do a mod-by-pictures of it.

What case would be best?