Need pc that lays flat that will receive Wireless signal from my Linksys router so I can sream movies , surf net, Etc. Tried small android mini pc and it would not pick up my signal very signal. Gave it back and now am looking for a pc with a HDMI OUT TO PUT BY MY tv. any suggestions, links or ideas bob
Small computer for streaming
- Thread starter 23robbie
- Start date
jamesd1981
Active Member
If your stuck for space try a slimline like this http://www.ebuyer.com/566895-in-win-bl641-300w-slim-desktop-black-atx-80-plus-csiwbl641
Or possibly consider a mini-itx build using a case like this http://www.ebuyer.com/582887-cooler...case-120mm-water-cooler-supported-rc-130-kkn1
Or possibly consider a mini-itx build using a case like this http://www.ebuyer.com/582887-cooler...case-120mm-water-cooler-supported-rc-130-kkn1
claptonman
New Member
I'm planning a mini ITX build around $150-$200. It can be way cheaper.
Jonah
New Member
Buy or build?
In any case, just googling "Media center PC" should get you some reasonable results.
And if you're looking for cheap, as Jiniix said, Ubuntu is a fully fledged OS without the price tag, it just can't run software built only for windows, which nowadays there is little of.
If you want to build, you'll need a decent network/wifi card to stream well, most motherboards have ethernet built in but you'd have to get your own PCI/PCIe card to use WiFi.
If all you want it for is HD streaming and nothing super-demanding like games, a nice Radeon 5000-series should do the job. Even one of AMD's APUs, which are a CPU and a GPU put together, should handle it all nicely as long as the board you buy supports HDMI out (almost all do).
Streaming and netsurfing doesn't take up much disk space at all, as it's all online, but if you want to use iTunes or whatnot to download movies, you'll need a bit more space. In any case, anywhere between 100-500gb HDD should do.
Streaming isn't exactly RAM-demanding, so 4-8gb is definitely enough
Just a point on using iTunes, it's WINDOWS/MAC ONLY! And as you can't build your own mac (well, easily) windows is the only option for using it. I'll be honest, most software like this only supports windows, so though it's an extra $100 for windows 7, It's probably worth it.
So if i were to do this build I'd choose:
Case+PSU combined
AMD APU - CPU and GPU combined
Motherboard with wifi and HDMI out
4GB DDR3 RAM
160GB 3.5" HDD
Any slim DVD drive or external for installing drivers etc
Windows/Linux
I know all the links are for the UK Amazon, you'd have to find the links for wherever you are if you wanted to do this build. I also don't know if this is within your budget or big enough for your expansion needs. I've checked the prices and they add up to around £200/$320 without OS. This is quite a bargain.
And now to cover my back:
PLEASE DON'T JUST ASSUME THAT THE PARTS I'VE LISTED WILL WORK TOGETHER! These items are a list compiled from 20 minutes on Amazon. DON'T buy them without researching that it will all work together first. For example, I don't know is the PSU in the case supports all the right connections, or whether you's have to get a separate CPU cooler if the stock one is too big. You may find that there aren't enough SATA cables included with the motherboard. There are lots of things I haven't researched here. This is just an example list and you should not take it as a given, risk free build.
In any case, just googling "Media center PC" should get you some reasonable results.
And if you're looking for cheap, as Jiniix said, Ubuntu is a fully fledged OS without the price tag, it just can't run software built only for windows, which nowadays there is little of.
If you want to build, you'll need a decent network/wifi card to stream well, most motherboards have ethernet built in but you'd have to get your own PCI/PCIe card to use WiFi.
If all you want it for is HD streaming and nothing super-demanding like games, a nice Radeon 5000-series should do the job. Even one of AMD's APUs, which are a CPU and a GPU put together, should handle it all nicely as long as the board you buy supports HDMI out (almost all do).
Streaming and netsurfing doesn't take up much disk space at all, as it's all online, but if you want to use iTunes or whatnot to download movies, you'll need a bit more space. In any case, anywhere between 100-500gb HDD should do.
Streaming isn't exactly RAM-demanding, so 4-8gb is definitely enough
Just a point on using iTunes, it's WINDOWS/MAC ONLY! And as you can't build your own mac (well, easily) windows is the only option for using it. I'll be honest, most software like this only supports windows, so though it's an extra $100 for windows 7, It's probably worth it.
So if i were to do this build I'd choose:
Case+PSU combined
AMD APU - CPU and GPU combined
Motherboard with wifi and HDMI out
4GB DDR3 RAM
160GB 3.5" HDD
Any slim DVD drive or external for installing drivers etc
Windows/Linux
I know all the links are for the UK Amazon, you'd have to find the links for wherever you are if you wanted to do this build. I also don't know if this is within your budget or big enough for your expansion needs. I've checked the prices and they add up to around £200/$320 without OS. This is quite a bargain.
And now to cover my back:
PLEASE DON'T JUST ASSUME THAT THE PARTS I'VE LISTED WILL WORK TOGETHER! These items are a list compiled from 20 minutes on Amazon. DON'T buy them without researching that it will all work together first. For example, I don't know is the PSU in the case supports all the right connections, or whether you's have to get a separate CPU cooler if the stock one is too big. You may find that there aren't enough SATA cables included with the motherboard. There are lots of things I haven't researched here. This is just an example list and you should not take it as a given, risk free build.
Last edited:
claptonman
New Member
That build you listed is all compatible.