Sufficient for HTPC?

[N890]

Hi I have a extremely old computer and would like to make it to a HTPC. Will this computer run blu ray or HD files clearly? Mostly 1080p files. Thanks
Specs

2.4Ghz Pentium 4 Northwood 533FSB
2GB DDR 3200 Ram
250GB HDD
ATI HD3450 AGP (planning to upgrade to HD3650)

 

[Proximon]

I see no problem with that. Old motherboards tend to die though.

 

[N890]

Thanks for the help, i don't think the CPU could run HD directly without a HDCP Card right? Anyways do you think the HD3650 would be a wise upgrade for this system? Thanks

 

[MykC]

ATI HD3450 doesn't support UVD 2.0? If it doesn't get one that does and should be good to decode 1080p.

 

[Proximon]

Pretty much what I would say... I think it's going to depend on when and where the 3450 was built.

Anyway, are you sure you want to go this route? If the old board fails you'll have zero options except perhaps ebay for replacement.

A 780G board and a AMD 7750 CPU along with some cheap RAM would handle everything and probably have a much longer life.

 

[MykC]

Its about $195 - $35MIR for the CPU/Mobo/Ram Proximon suggested from www.newegg.com. You could reuse everything else, PSU, CASE, Hard DRive, DVD DRive.

 

[N890]

Thanks, i'm saving up for a new build yes (i've thought bout it already lol). But right now i'm just using this as a normal computer. I've got 2 other dells that suck horribly lol. :lol:

So here is the card, can anyone see if it has UVD or AVIVO? Thanks
http://www.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=WrFDmgDYjcsrNDaE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121273

PS: the HDD's and DVD Drives are all IDE so i would have to buy new ones lol. 😀

 

[Proximon]

Looks like the 3450 will work fine. The molex is a bit oddly placed, but other than that it should be sufficient. The site says it's fully UVD, and it's HDCP compliant. I doubt you'll have issues with Blu-ray.

 

[N890]

Wow thanks so much Proximon and MykC! I would be so lost of it werent for you guys!!! Ok sorry but 1 more question lol, can i run a BLU RAy drive off of a PCI to SATA card? As you guys already know my mobo only has IDE. So that would be the only option/

 

[Proximon]

Is that board USB 2.0?

You could always go with an external drive.

 

[N890]

Yes, it has USB 2.0 but for my old case a internal is more suitable, all the USB ports on the back are all taken up already :lol: . I heard that a blu ray drive only uses 20 to 40/MBs and the PCI slot is 133/MBs is this true? Thanks !!

 

[Proximon]

That wouldn't surprise me.

I'm sure a PCI SATA card will work fine, as long as the driver software is compatible.

 

[N890]

Thanks again, so the HD3450 and the HD3650 will be able to decode the blu ray DVD even if its on the PCI sata card right? Thanks