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Advice wanted for upgrading media computer

My dad is looking to upgrade his computer (Dell - Optiplex GX1)
It is just taking so long to load something up.
Specs:
PentiumIII 498MHz
384Mb pc133 SD-Ram
7.14Gb HDD (as reported in Windows Xp, My Computer)
all other integrated on board. (graphics, sound etc.)
20in CRT Monitor

I tried upgrading the memory, but it is a very fussy motherboard to get memory to work with it.

I've been thinking about this a bit.
I have decided to upgrade the media computer instead, and my dad would get the left-over media computer innards.

My reasons for upgrading the media computer are:
The media computer occasionally locks up and requires a reboot. (press reboot)
I would like to be able to run an extender (my pc or my xbox360).
It currently does not have enough juice to run extenders. (although it will successfully detect each device on the network.) the whole network is wired.

The current specs of the media computer are:
Motherboard: Gigabyte-GA8IDMNF (ex Packard Bell production board) socket 478
Processor: Pentium4 1.7GHz
Memory: 1GB(2x512) PC133 SDRAM
Graphics: Sparkle - nVidia GeForce FX5200 (analogue outputs only)
Sound - Integrated on board.
2 x BlackGold freeview (DVB UK) TV tuner cards.
nVidia PureVideo decoder software.

I will put some money towards upgrading the media computer, as it's for all of us to use in the house.
My dad would get the media computer parts left over (mobo, memory, graphics and processor)

There's an article on Tom's Hardware:
"We Build Four HDMI-Based HTPCs"
http://tomshardware.co.uk/2007/05/04/we_build_4_diy_hdmi_uk/
They build them completely for Hi-def.

I have come up with possibly a better spec from what they have done.

This is all from Micro Direct (my usual first place due to them being local to me)

- Intel CPU Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8GHz 800FSB LGA775 2MB cache Retail inc.Fan (3yr Manufacturers Warranty)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=16265
- Asus Extreme 7600GT 256MB DDR3, PCI-E, Dual DVI, HDMI, HDTV Out, Retail
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=17398
- Kingston Value Ram 1GB 533MHz DDR2 PC4200 memory
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=14890
- 250GB Samsung SP2504C SATA II 300 7200rpm 8MB cache HDD Hard Disk Drive oem
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=12209
- Asus P5B Skt 775 Intel P965 Core2 Extreme / Core2 Duo 1066FSB PCI-E x16 SATA Giga LAN 8 ch. Audio ATX Motherboard
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=14561
Total: £311.19

I chose the motherboard due to the fact it has a really good selection of expansion ports:
1x PCI-E x16 (for the graphics card)
3x PCI-E x1 (for future upgardes (hi def tv tuner?))
3x PCI 2.2 (Will put the 2 Black Gold DVB Tuner cards in 2 of these)

It also has an interal S/PDIF audio connection, which can be connected to the graphics card. the graphics card combiles the audio so one cable only needs to go to the TV (HDMI)

What do you think?
 
yep that sounds like a very good idea.

I'd be very surprised, however, if a hardware change will solve your locking up problems, surely that can only be software related
 
I reckon that the occasional hanging I get is hardware related.
The system has bottlenecks.
I originally had it running on 512mb+128mb strips of memory.
It was skipping playback of tv. I upgraded it to 512mb+512mb (max for sdram), and it's reduced the skipping, and made it slightly more stable, but It's still not quick enough (hence the major upgrade).
It only mainly hangs if it is remotely accessed.
That problem is virtually non-existent since I stopped accessing it remotely.

I've decided to get some better spec of memory:
ELIXIR 1024MB DDR2 800 PC6400
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16578)ELIXIR-1024MB-DDR2-800-PC6400-memory-M2Y1G64TU8HB0.aspx
 
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I get all my memory from crucial never had any issues with the memory. Crucial ballistick is the one gamers buy.
 
I'm going off what the online PDF manual has listed for compatible.
At the higher speed DDR2, it's too high priced or it's not available at MicroDirect. Hence I have gone for the one I have.
 
That's a lot of money to spend upgrading, when you could get a whole new PC with 19" TFT for £294 delivered:

At www.dell.co.uk - shop by E-Value code 101-D05E02a and reduce warranty to 90 day collect and return.

Components
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4300 Processor (1.80GHz,1066MHz,2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English
Dell™ 19" Value Flat Panel (SE197FP) - UK/Irish
1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x512]
250GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3000
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Dell 2 Button USB Scroll Optical Mouse - Black
Accessories
Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability
No Speakers
No Floppy Drive
No Modem
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Microsoft® Works 8.0 - English
 
The trouble with that is, I don't know what the motherboard is like.
I need to put the DVB cards (2 x BlackGold) into it.
I also want it to do Hi-def resolutions.
I'd rather stick with Windows until at least Service Pack 1.
Price is good, but I need more detail for it.
 
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It does help :)
I won't go for it...
I think it's a good deal for what you get.
I want to have proper hi-def output to HDMI
The only way to get that at the moment is to self build.

The motherboard that I have listed has internal pins for the audio, that can be connected to the graphics card.
the graphics card will combine the audio with the graphics, and it has a HDMI port on it, which will connect directly to the TVs HDMI port.

The dell only has VGA output, just like the existing one has (except it's a separate card in my existing one.)
 
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