Minimum specs...

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31 Dec 2005
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Looking to build a SFF PC for the kitchen/breakfast room, thinking I might tie it up with a touchscreen so can control things without keyboard etc.

Want it to be able to play TV via a card, music (iTunes or equivalent) and stream anything else I want, possibly including video, from a server in the loft.

What's the minimum spec board that'll do this? Looking to buy a new/used mobo, possibly even something like the VIA embedded stuff, but have no idea how the processors compare with the Intel/AMD mainstream ones. MHz these days seems to be a very subjective thing and don't want to have something that'll be short on grunt. Not after HD video, so basic graphics functionality is all that is required, as I assume even the most basic embedded graphics card will power a 15"/17" screen?
 
Was thinking of something small and inobtrusive and I wouldn't need much in the way of HDD as anything other than OS will be server based, OS probably on a CF card for low power and silence. Perhaps mini-ITX is too restrictive/expensive compared to what I can get in micro-ATX as at the end of the day, it's not like I'm putting it in a car or anything!

I suppose if I go for a low powered desktop CPU, I should be able to run it very quietly.

And I want to spend as little as possible. I'm trying to do it as a "it would be useful to have but I don't need it" type of project, so don't want to spend thousands!
 
misterPK said:
...or if you really want a modding challenge, build it straight into one of the kitchen draws!...
Click to expand...

Like the idea of that!!!! Am hopefully moving in a few months, so won't implement fully until then, but would certainly mean space is less of an issue. Could fit a HUGE motherboard in a kitchen draw with room to spare!

Would be nice having it hidden away only wire would be that to the screen And most kitchen units behind the skirting are on legs, leaving loads of space for a PSU, keeping temps down further. Sounding better and better...!

If I go down this route then it's pretty much fair game on any (quiet) motherboard and a lot cheaper. Pity I've just used my old mobo in a server, but sure I can find second hand ones somewhere ;)

Thanks for the thought provoking ideas!
 
Got Sky HD in the main living room and soon in the bedroom, so probably only thinking Freeview. Didn't realise you could get any sort of Sky TV card though?

Need to get home to look at all the pictures, firewall blocking them I think.

The Asus case does look quite nice and suppose it would amount to the same cost as a separate mobo and case.

And PK - my cleaner does a very good job, thank you!
 
But I would assume it can't watch a different channel to the Sky one then? Without another subscription card at least?
 
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