Cpu/motherboard w/ video combo

[jisc0]

Hey guys, I'm trying to put together a cheap media server with parts I already own. I have an old laptop but it just isn't cutting it and I know it will not be able to run Vista.


What I have:
PSU
Full ATX Case(space isnt really the main concern unless a microatx will fit within it? may consider small case+psu later on)
2GB DDR2 Ram
250gb HDD(probably up to 500/1tb later on, but not now)



What I need:
CPU(lowest wattage possible also wondering if its possible to undervolt)
Motherboard (prefer to have video built in)
I have no problems going with used components perhaps even ebay?(I realize cashback is only 20% now)

It needs the ability to run Vista Ultimate with only one function and that is Windows Media Center, use as little power as possible and thats about it! Bang for the buck!

Any help/input I would greatly appreciate it all!

Edit: Probably should mention I'd like to keep this all below $100 if at all possible. Thanks!

[qoncept]

http://www.pricewatch.com/barebones_computers/

I'm not sure what Vista requires, but I look at pricepoints when I shop, and below the Athlon X2 4200 (http://www.pricewatch.com/barebones_computers/athlon_x2_4200.htm) the performance drops off a lot faster than the price. That should be plenty fast to do anything you need. The first result there has a motherboard with onboard video, sound and LAN, power supply, case and CPU.

[jisc0]

http://www.pricewatch.com/barebones_computers/

I'm not sure what Vista requires, but I look at pricepoints when I shop, and below the Athlon X2 4200 (http://www.pricewatch.com/barebones_computers/athlon_x2_4200.htm) the performance drops off a lot faster than the price. That should be plenty fast to do anything you need. The first result there has a motherboard with onboard video, sound and LAN, power supply, case and CPU.
interesting...unfortunately, I already have a great PSU, case and ram.

Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements
Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Ultimate
800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory
20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
Support for Super VGA graphics

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135096
I wonder if that would work or if a dual core is necessary for decent performance with streaming video...

[qoncept]

Doh, read that wrong. Pricewatch is your friend for computer components though, take a look any time you need anything. I've at least checked it every time I've bought anything for my computer for the last 12 years.

http://www.pricewatch.com/motherboard_combos/
http://www.pricewatch.com/motherboard_combos/athlon_x2_4200_cpu_fan.htm - Looks like you can get by for about $90, and those prices include shipping.

Those minimum specs for Vista are a starting point but if you're going to be watching video and such you'll want to go well above that so it will play back smoothly. And there are plenty of fast-enough processors that are pretty much as cheap now as they could possibly be sold for.

[jisc0]

Those minimum specs for Vista are a starting point but if you're going to be watching video and such you'll want to go well above that so it will play back smoothly. And there are plenty of fast-enough processors that are pretty much as cheap now as they could possibly be sold for.
Oh I think I forgot to mention that the idea behind this all is just to enable to ability to stream to other devices on my network:
Xbox 360
Media Extender
PS3

I also understand what you're saying about the minimum requirements, but I don't necessarily want overkill. I'm not really sure it needs much processing power in order to do that. I'm not planning on playing the video off the machine itself just basically creating a point where my devices can access the shared media. I won't touching this aside from adding more media.
I almost feel like a X2 4200+ may be overkill for something like this.

[qoncept]

Gotcha.. But my main point is, buying new, looking at that page, the cheapest thing that would get you by is a Pentium 4 520 w/motherboard for $78, and pricewatch is usually the cheapest price I find on computer hardware.

If you're really wanting to go on the cheap, have you thought about just getting an external hard drive enclosure and plugging it in to your console?

[jisc0]

Gotcha.. But my main point is, buying new, looking at that page, the cheapest thing that would get you by is a Pentium 4 520 w/motherboard for $78, and pricewatch is usually the cheapest price I find on computer hardware.

If you're really wanting to go on the cheap, have you thought about just getting an external hard drive enclosure and plugging it in to your console?
P4 520, is that one of those really hot processors? Trying to be energy efficient.

Hooking up an external to my 360 would not really resolve the problem as I want to be able to access my media from as many devices in the house. Plus then you have the issue of it actually working properly with the 360(FAT32 vs NTFS).

Thanks for the advice.

[Blorg]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135096
edit: you'll also need a cpu cooler.