PcBytes wrote:

Vista/Linux Mint build: […]
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Vista/Linux Mint build:

MB: ASUS P5GC-MX/1333
PSU: Allied AL-A400ATX (120mm variant)
RAM: 512MB Kingmax DDR2-667
GPU: Geforce 7300LE 256MB DDR2 PCI-E
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 1.8GHz
HDD: Seagate Momentus 250GB 5400RPM
ODD: HL-DT-ST GSA-4167B w/ white bezel
Misc: Pixelview PV-TV304+ TV Tuner (CX23881)
Case: JNC RJA-52
OS: Vista SP2 and Linux Mint 18.2

I have the same board but i was gonna run xp or 7 and have it as a emulation box. Sound like yours is geared for cheap htpc form. How do u like it.

greasemonkey90s wrote:

I have the same board but i was gonna run xp or 7 and have it as a emulation box. Sound like yours is geared for cheap htpc form. How do u like it.

It's a pretty nice small board. Not a lot of OC features (although I have to admit, a uATX board with OC features isn't something usual) but that's not really something I'd use.

Other than that, nice layout which allows for wire management (see the photo), except for maybe the front panel positioning which I don't really understand. Shame it doesn't support quads though (or so I've read somewhere) because I'd actually drop a Q6600 in it for more processing power.

Probably going to replace the GPU with something more powerful - I don't know what should I aim for though - a 8500GT, a Geforce 210 or a GTS250?

PcBytes wrote:

Probably going to replace the GPU with something more powerful - I don't know what should I aim for though - a 8500GT, a Geforce 210 or a GTS250?

Either of these cards (though, realistically, the 210 or newer) should be able to handle HD video decoding of some kind in hardware. Various sites like YouTube can use this to assist with video playback, as long as you use a modern browser + up-to-date drivers. Might be something to consider.

Damn, I read 'Athlon XP build' and 'Vista' and was intrigued. Anyway, I would use the GTS 250, it's basically a rebadged 9800 GTX+.

PcBytes wrote:

MB: ASUS P5GC-MX/1333 PSU: Allied AL-A400ATX (120mm variant) RAM: 512MB Kingmax DDR2-667 GPU: Geforce 7300LE 256MB DDR2 PCI-E CP […]
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MB: ASUS P5GC-MX/1333
PSU: Allied AL-A400ATX (120mm variant)
RAM: 512MB Kingmax DDR2-667
GPU: Geforce 7300LE 256MB DDR2 PCI-E
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 1.8GHz
HDD: Seagate Momentus 250GB 5400RPM
ODD: HL-DT-ST GSA-4167B w/ white bezel
Misc: Pixelview PV-TV304+ TV Tuner (CX23881)
Case: JNC RJA-52
OS: Vista SP2 and Linux Mint 18.2

^^ You're probably gonna want more RAM for Mint. You can run it with 512MB but it'll be crunchy. I'd recommend 1GB at bare minimum for XFCE or 2GB for Cinnamon / KDE. Throw another stick in there if you have one.

It's must be a typo. Vista on 512MB is lunacy. 😀 Even the XP build has 1.5GB RAM. Vista should have at least 2GB, preferably 4GB.

I know 7 runs way better on 1GB than Vista does, but you still want another half to 1 if you want to do anything much.