Build new or upgrade current

[dartmania2002]

Hello, I have been reading some of your posts and need to let you know that I am a real noobie. I will try to explain the best that I can. I have a 4 year old HP model 551 with 1.6 gig pentium 4 and 384 mb ram, I am not sure of the graphics or sound card. I wanna know if I can start the rebuild off of this. I do no gaming with this machine, but would like to make into a htpc used for media storage ,dvd burning and a PVR with a sound card that has toslink or coaxel output. I think that I will need faster prosseser and an upgrade from the 384 RAM that I have, if this is possable in my current case.

If upgrading this pc is not the way to go is there another cheap sollution?

I would also need a myhd card.

sorry about the length of this post just trying to explain..thanks,
Mike

 

[Trotter]

To be honest with you, you need to start from ground zero.

If you're mainly doing media, you will probably need to go back with Intel. As I don't mess with many Intels, I'll let someone else advise you on them.

The main things you need are a decent amount of RAM (512 min, but go for 1gig), plenty of hard drive storage, a decent graphics card (preferably one with a TV tuner), DVD burner (dual layer), possibly a sound card (for maximum quality).

 

[turtile]

Build new

 

[dartmania2002]

an i reuse the case, maybe the psu as well?

 

[macdude425]

MAYBE the case, I'm not sure about it, but NOT THE PSU!!! Since HP uses proprietary PSUs, hooking up one to a regular mobo will cause it to fry.

 

[Trotter]

Go with a new case, a full ATX one (better air circulation, more room). A mid-tower is a good size, but I prefer full towers.

Look for a good case with a decent PSU. That means looking at Antec and/or ThermalTake. If you want dependable without a lot of flash, the Antecs are awesome.

Antecs mid towers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...rice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=7&Submit=Property

Be sure to look at the Sonata and the Sonata II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129127
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

And my personal fave
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129158