CPU/Mobo Is it possible to put together a DVR with a Pentium IV and an Nvidia 7200 GS?

[arjie]

Hi,

I have an old Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz computer with an Intel 845 motherboard with failing integrated graphics. I also have a friend's old PCI-e graphics card (an Nvidia GeForce 7200 GS, the fan has burned out but I can fix that) and a TV tuner card.

What would be the cheapest µATX motherboard that will accept a Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz, and a GeForce 7200GS PCI-e and also have a couple of PCI slots? I would like to pay less than Rs. 1400 for a second-hand motherboard.

Here are a few other related questions:

• Is this hardware capable of smooth playback of h.264 video?
  
• Is there hardware which would reduce the size of the case needed?
  
• How much RAM would such a device need?
  

I'd prefer to be able to use all of the components I have instead of buying all new, and second-hand stuff is highly preferable because I can't afford much (I'm a grad student ). Since I already have a processor, RAM (I have lying around SD, DDR, and DDR2), optical drives and a hard-drive, case and PSU, TV Tuner Card, Graphics card and monitors and peripherals I'm hoping to not buy more than Rs. 4000/- worth of parts. Is this realistic?

To make it easier, here is the desktop I have:

1.9 Ghz Pentium IV (Socket 478)

MSI 845-GVML Motherboard

512 MB DDR 200

LG CD-RW

Seagate 40 GB drive (dying)

 

[sri_k]

Hi,

I have an old Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz computer with an Intel 845 motherboard with failing integrated graphics. I also have a friend's old PCI-e graphics card (an Nvidia GeForce 7200 GS, the fan has burned out but I can fix that) and a TV tuner card. Does anyone think it is possible for me to put together a DVR with this? Here are a few questions:

• Is this hardware capable of smooth playback of h.264 video?
  
• Is there hardware which would reduce the size of the case needed?
  
• Is it possible to find a µATX motherboard that will accept a Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz, and a GeForce 7200GS PCI-e and also have a couple of PCI slots for less than Rs. 1500 shipped? (second hand is okay)
  
• How much RAM would such a device need?
  

I'd prefer to be able to use all of the components I have instead of buying all new, and second-hand stuff is highly preferable because I can't afford much (I'm a grad student ). Since I already have a processor, RAM (I have lying around SD, DDR, and DDR2), optical drives and a hard-drive, case and PSU, TV Tuner Card, Graphics card and monitors and peripherals I'm hoping to not buy more than Rs. 3000/- worth of parts. Is this realistic?

my only suggestion would be to upgrade your PC.You can sell your stuff at market..

your mobo won't support PCI-E gfx cards..even a new PC can be built within 6to 7k...minus the display...

please mention what do your intend to use it for&your budget,peripherals required...

 

[mithun]

Intel 845 chipset doesnt have support for PCI-E afaik...so most prolly u cant fit in ur pci-e gfx card in ur system to begin with.

Though a 7200gs sud b good enough for decent h.264 playback.

 

[PaulBarber]

Like u mentioned, looking for a 2nd hand mobo is also a good option. U can try posting a WTB thread in the market section. U cud probby get an old mobo with DDR2 support (like P5LD2VM-SE) for cheap...maybe around 1000 -1200 bucks. 7200GS is supposed to have purevideo support, so I guess it should have good video playback support...though HD playback wont work with the P4 proccy. U can even plug in a dual core E2160/80 later if budget permits (this mobo has support).

But remember...if ur old PSU is 20-pin, it wont work with newer mobos so u might need to get a new one.

Selling off ur old hardware and getting new components is also a good idea, but probably wont fit in ur budget.

 

[arjie]

Hi everyone, thank you for your replies. It seems that I edited the post during the period when some of you were composing your replies. Sorry about that. I'm aware that the motherboard won't accept PCI-e cards, I'm looking for one that will accept my current processor and the graphics card I mentioned.

my only suggestion would be to upgrade your PC.You can sell your stuff at market..

your mobo won't support PCI-E gfx cards..even a new PC can be built within 6to 7k...minus the display...

please mention what do your intend to use it for&your budget,peripherals required...

I don't intend to use that motherboard, it isn't great, one of the PCI slots doesn't work and I think only one DDR DIMM slot functions. I don't think I will get much for it, but I will try. It does sound like a good suggestion.

I intend to use it as a digital video recorder/player. My budget is <4k but I have everything except for a processor, motherboard, case and power supply. Would you mind telling me what kind of a system I'll get for Rs. 7k? I'm willing to buy second-hand.

Though a 7200gs sud b good enough for decent h.264 playback.

Thanks mithun. Glad to hear I'll be able to use the graphics card at least.

Like u mentioned, looking for a 2nd hand mobo is also a good option. U can try posting a WTB thread in the market section. U cud probby get an old mobo with DDR2 support (like P5LD2VM-SE) for cheap...maybe around 1000 -1200 bucks. 7200GS is supposed to have purevideo support, so I guess it should have good video playback support...though HD playback wont work with the P4 proccy. U can even plug in a dual core E2160/80 later if budget permits (this mobo has support).

But remember...if ur old PSU is 20-pin, it wont work with newer mobos so u might need to get a new one.

Selling off ur old hardware and getting new components is also a good idea, but probably wont fit in ur budget.

Thanks for the tip on the P5LD2VM-SE, I bid for one in the 'Market' section but unfortunately it was already sold. I'm going to take the advice given here and try to get rid of the machine I have locally, it seems like there are too many complications with simply trying to upgrade an old machine piecewise.

 

[sri_k]

Hi,

I have an old Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz computer with an Intel 845 motherboard with failing integrated graphics. I also have a friend's old PCI-e graphics card (an Nvidia GeForce 7200 GS, the fan has burned out but I can fix that) and a TV tuner card.

What would be the cheapest µATX motherboard that will accept a Pentium IV 1.9 Ghz, and a GeForce 7200GS PCI-e and also have a couple of PCI slots? I would like to pay less than Rs. 1400 for a second-hand motherboard.

Here are a few other related questions:

• Is this hardware capable of smooth playback of h.264 video?
• Is there hardware which would reduce the size of the case needed?
• How much RAM would such a device need?

I'd prefer to be able to use all of the components I have instead of buying all new, and second-hand stuff is highly preferable because I can't afford much (I'm a grad student ). Since I already have a processor, RAM (I have lying around SD, DDR, and DDR2), optical drives and a hard-drive, case and PSU, TV Tuner Card, Graphics card and monitors and peripherals I'm hoping to not buy more than Rs. 4000/- worth of parts. Is this realistic?

To make it easier, here is the desktop I have:
1.9 Ghz Pentium IV (Socket 478)
MSI 845-GVML Motherboard
512 MB DDR 200
LG CD-RW
Seagate 40 GB drive (dying)

AMD AthlonX2 7750-3.2

Asus M2N68AM - 2.3k

Transcend or kingston 2GB RAM-1150/-

Sell your old gfx card&get palit 9500GT for 3.5k...