Reviving computer

[Sust]

I was recently given a Shuttle SS51G that I helped build 6 years ago which the In-Laws have given up on after the power supply crapped out. Now, I am looking to revive it for my parents where it will connect to their LCD TV and act as a HTPC watching Korean dramas online and other assorted videos their friends bring over for them. NO games.

The current specs are specified here with the following added equipment to run again:
P4 2.4 GHz
2 GB RAM
Sony Dual Layer DVD writer
Generic floppy drive

My budget is not to exceed $400 and i'm certainly hoping it doesnt get that far out of hand.
Software is already owned by me and taken care of. The way I see it, the shuttle only needs the following hardware:
(1). power supply(must fit inside case)
(2). hard drive
(3). AGP or PCI video card
(4). 3.5" all-in-one memory card reader
(5). replace fan on shuttle OEM heat pipe cooling mechanism
(6). Wireless home theater keyboard/mouse combo

The emphasis is on the system being cool/warm (because they live someplace warm all year round) and sacrificing minimal amounts of quiet for the aforementioned coolness. I am open to all recommendations that will help revive this machine in particular.

I'm currently a little conflicted on AGP/PCI video card, GPU assisted HighDef acceleration, and/or coreAVC and whether something like this will ever play 1080P or even 720P at the least.
Also contemplating usefulness of addition of tuner card, but am focused more on resurrection at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AstroGuardian]

You are in deep mud here. Don't you think for 400$ you could build a new rig which will be better and cooler than what you have? You should consider gooooood cooling for your intel Netburst based CPU. PCI VGA is no good. I don't think you can find AGP cards on stock these days.

I would go for Celeron 450 + G945 + 2Gb DDr-2 + 500Gb hard drive + new case + mouse and kb for less than 400$. It's far better deal than trying to revive long dead 100 year old rig. I would like to mention that your Shuttle is 6 looong years old.

 

[Lunyone]

You could even consider getting at the least an AMD system based around the 780g or 790gx chipsets. Either of these chipsets should be able to handle HD playback without needing an additional GPU.

AMD 5050e (45w CPU = low power and low heat!!)
Biostar TA790gx mobo (Has HDMI output!!)
Combo price - $146

G.Skill DDR2 800mHz RAM (4-4-4-12 timings & 1.8-1.9v), 4gb's (2x2gb's) - $41

WD AAKS 640gb HD - $60

Antec NSK4480 Case w/380w PSU (80% efficient) ~$100

DVD Burner (SATA version for better airflow) ~$25

Card reader ~$20

Total ~$400 shipped!! Now that should be a nice fairly quiet system to have. Hopefully you have Vista Home Premium, so you can use the Media Center options for possible remote control use!!

 

[Sust]

I realize that its an oldie and i'm aware that a much cheaper solution exists out there right now if I were to just chuck the system. However, I am attached to this classic SFF computer and would like to revive it for sentimental reasons if possible.
Part of the fun and challenge is to see if I can continue to squeeze life out of this computer given the hot netburst architecture, cramped SFF, and old antiquated architecture. At some point, I'm going to have to take it out back and shoot it, but I dont think that time has arrived yet. 6 years might be long for you youngsters, but for some people it wasnt that long ago

That being said, thank you for taking the time to help me.
I'd appreciate any further input into either the fan replacement, keyboard/mouse combo, or AGP card.

 

[vshah]

make sure whatever agp card you get supports video decoding acceleration. i know my agp 6800gt does not. with a 2.4ghz P4, you will not be able to watch HD resolutions without some decoding assistance from the GPU

 

[TurtleCrusher]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131149

Radeon 2400pro 256mb 64-bit AGP $39.99. That'll decode most video VERY well.

 

[Sust]

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131149

Radeon 2400pro 256mb 64-bit AGP $39.99. That'll decode most video VERY well.

Excellent. I'm sold.
The dinky little fan on that card worries me a little, but that kind of fan can always be replaced.
I was wondering if I was going to kick it up a notch to the 3450 or 3640 since the CPU is so weak. Do you happen to own either a 3xxx or 2xxx series ATI card and have anything else to add about them?
Thanks again for helping out.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: Sust

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131149

Radeon 2400pro 256mb 64-bit AGP $39.99. That'll decode most video VERY well.

Excellent. I'm sold.
The dinky little fan on that card worries me a little, but that kind of fan can always be replaced.
I was wondering if I was going to kick it up a notch to the 3450 or 3640 since the CPU is so weak. Do you happen to own either a 3xxx or 2xxx series ATI card and have anything else to add about them?
Thanks again for helping out.

Well i do have a radeon 3850 and that decoded everything i threw at it. I also owned a x1650pro and an x850pro (AGP) and that didn't do video worth shit. And the 3xxx series is the same as the 2xxx series so i assume its the same.

If you were to buy a 3650 AGP (the only 3xxx card that's AGP from Newegg besides the 3850) you would be wasting power because all that power will go unused. If its jsut media you are after, stick with the 2400pro. 40sp's will do it just fine.