Help With HP Computer

[gtannenb]

I have a couple of questions for anyone that can help. I own a HP computer that is in a very mini tower case. It only has room for one full height drive. I would love to move the motherboard to a new case that allows for multiple driver (ie DVD and CDRW). Is it possible to find a bigger case that would accept this montherboard?

My second question related to DVD drives. The HP has a built in video card on the motherboard. The CPU runs at 600 mhz. Is this sufficient to watch DVD movies or do I need to buy a special video card for the movies?

My ultimate goal is to use the computer as part of my home entertainment center as a DVD player, MP3 player and possible a video capture machine that can burn the video capture onto a CDRW. I am sure it would be easier to build or buy a new computer to do this but I was hoping to save some money.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Glen

 

[Zepper]

As long as your PCI slots are on the mobo itself and not on a riser card, any standard ATX case will accept your mobo. HP uses mainly ASUS mATX mobos in the minitower cases. The pattern of the I/O connectors might be the only problem. If they are way out of the standard configuration, you might need a custom back-plate. Generally one of the ones that comes with the case will work, or you could use the one from your current case if it is removable.
. If it's a fairly recent machine, the integrated video will support DVD playback with just a software player like WinDVD or PowerDVD. You didn't mention which processor was in there. My 400 MHz K6-2 was borderline for getting smooth playback with softare only - so I opted for a REAL Magic Hollywood decoder. A retail packaged DVD drive will usually come with one or the other of the software decoders. If playback is choppy, hardware decoders are from $20. up on Pricewatch or you can get a video card with DVD accel for a little more (SiS 315-based for one) - hope there's an AGP slot on your mobo.
. I recommend the Artec/Artronix 16x DVD drive. Inexpensive, quiet with comparable performance to any of the others. Get it for about $40. shipped from newegg or googlegear.
.bh.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Welcome to the AT forums

You could buy a LG/GOLDSTAR 32x10x40x16 CD-RW/DVD combo drive (I have this model and it's quite and reliable and never burns coasters) for 72$ shipped from newegg so you wouldn't have to change cases to get DVD and burner capability and if you list the exact model and model number HP you have I'll take a quick look to make certain the integrated mobo supports DVD decoding.

 

[gtannenb]

Thanks for all your help. The model of the HP computer is XG814 and the system number is p3996A. I hope this is enough to go by.

I know I am probably crazy to think about upgrading the case but it is so tight to do anything inside the computer and I have seen a good deal on a new case and power supply for $30 delivered. I thought I could buy the case and move the parts into it. Then I will have the option of upgrading the motherboard in the future. Any thoughts on this logic?

Thanks,

Glen

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Hey the Intel 810 supports Soft DVD MPEG-2* playback with Hardware Motion Compensation so you're all set there, If you really want to go with a new case to add expandability&upgradeability, especially another mainboard, don't buy some cheapo 30$ one. A decent 300w power supply costs more than that and the PSU is the backbone of the whole system so don't skimp on it or it will come back to haunt you later, and though you have a microATX board at the moment that can get by with a cheesy PSU your next board may be ATX and take faster CPUs so invest in a nice case and quality PSU now to save problems a little down the road