From workstation to media center

[ncalipari]

Hello everybody,

I'm a mathematician, and around october I started a project on CUDA, and now that it ended I have a very beautiful PC:

A) 750 W Decathlon power supply unit
B) intel q6600, with 4 gb of ram
C) one old 10k rpm 73 gb raptor
D) Motherboard P5N-T DELUXE S775 NV780 SLI ATX
E) Some cheap 9400 nvidia graphic card

The ali is so big because it used to be mounted a Nvidia tesla computing card, but now I had to give it back.

I'm still using this pc on remote, like to run big simulation of matlab that would take days on my actual notebook, and since I keep it on 24/7 I got the idea to trasform it in a multimedia center to keep it in use in the spare time. I still have many doubts:

a) Wouldn't such a big PSU be too much for my pc? Could it burn due to too low load?

b) Which is the best graphic card with tv-out and remote, for linux?

c) Actually I have a linksys w45g router, but i see that when I connect trough it to the PC it is quite slow, while if i connect straight with a cable it runs much smoother. Should I change my router? which is the fastest wireless router for remote computing?

thank you everybody

 

[jkresh]

A.), psu's have a range where they are most efficient so running at really low load could be low efficiency but you can't kill a psu with too low a load.
B.) What kind of tv (hd or regular)?
C.) 802.11n will be best if you want to run wireless, but gigabyte ethernet will still be a lot faster.

for remote desktop use the router should not be an issue (remote desktop can run fine through a broadband connection which is likely a lot slower then even an 802.11g router)

 

[ncalipari]

a) Yes but low efficency means high heat, and high heat means shorter life, or am I wrong?

b) forgot to say sorry, HDTV.

My graphic card has a DVI output, but from my poor understanding DVI doesn't carry audio signal, does it? How could I carry the audio signal?

C) I tried remote desktop with my wireless setup, but it was quite slowly. Do you think it was the wireless router's fault, or due to the software?

 

[Rifter]

most PS are rated to work most best from 20-80% load from what i understand, i think your system will draw more than 20% and should be fine.

Edited to add:

I would go wired, even my 10/100 ethernet was not fast enough under heavy network load to stream 720P media, had to upgrade to gigabit.

 

[Denithor]

Most of the newer video cards will carry audio over HDMI (via adaptor) to your TV/receiver.

First thing I'd change is that old/hot/noisy Raptor. Drop in a WD6401AALS (640GB Caviar Black) for much quieter/cooler performance, plus a crapload more storage capacity.

Secondly, video card. Are you using this for gaming at all or just HTPC duties (surfing, videos, etc)? If gaming, grab a GTX 260/216 ($160AR), GTX 275 ($250) or a Radeon 4890 ($250) [first two will also allow you to continue working with CUDA]. If just simple duties, get a 4670 ($50-70AR). Keep in mind you have an SLI board - if you game, and want to potentially upgrade to SLI in the future you've gotta stick with nVidia cards.