yermej
Well-Known Member
I should maybe go to a hardware forum, but I figured I'd check here before signing up somewhere else. Besides, I figure I'll at least be better off than that guy looking for a Realtor.
Anyway, I've been wanting to build or buy a media center computer for a while now. I don't need it for DVR stuff, the DishNetwork box is fine for that. I'd mainly use it to play downloaded videos, play a couple games, and general internet ass-hattery all on an LCD TV at 1920x1080 (via DVI, HDMI, or VGA).
My main issue is finding a relatively quiet machine that can run Portal well at 1920x1080. I say Portal because that's probably the newest/most demanding game that I'd be playing on it. I don't do much PC gaming so I'm not worried about running Left 4 Dead at a brazillion fps or anything like that.
I have a media center-ish case and was planning on building something with that. However, Apple's recent update to the Mac Mini is making me wonder. Anybody have any idea if the Mac Mini graphics chip - NVIDIA 9400M w/256MB shared RAM - would be up to the challenge? I know it can handle the resolution for desktop type stuff, but I'm not sure about Portal. It's new to the Mini, but they've been using it in the MacBooks for a little while now - maybe somebody here has experience with it?
I'm sure I could build something for less, but the case I have is huge compared to the Mini and I'd have to clear some stuff out to make room for it. The Mini would be right at home with the Wii and external hard drive. (Plus I've always wanted a Mac, dammit.)
I'd also appreciate other suggestions if you've done something like this recently. Graphics card suggestions are especially welcome as I'd like to find something relatively quiet (fanless even?) that can do what I want if I end up building my own.
Thanks.
Anyway, I've been wanting to build or buy a media center computer for a while now. I don't need it for DVR stuff, the DishNetwork box is fine for that. I'd mainly use it to play downloaded videos, play a couple games, and general internet ass-hattery all on an LCD TV at 1920x1080 (via DVI, HDMI, or VGA).
My main issue is finding a relatively quiet machine that can run Portal well at 1920x1080. I say Portal because that's probably the newest/most demanding game that I'd be playing on it. I don't do much PC gaming so I'm not worried about running Left 4 Dead at a brazillion fps or anything like that.
I have a media center-ish case and was planning on building something with that. However, Apple's recent update to the Mac Mini is making me wonder. Anybody have any idea if the Mac Mini graphics chip - NVIDIA 9400M w/256MB shared RAM - would be up to the challenge? I know it can handle the resolution for desktop type stuff, but I'm not sure about Portal. It's new to the Mini, but they've been using it in the MacBooks for a little while now - maybe somebody here has experience with it?
I'm sure I could build something for less, but the case I have is huge compared to the Mini and I'd have to clear some stuff out to make room for it. The Mini would be right at home with the Wii and external hard drive. (Plus I've always wanted a Mac, dammit.)
I'd also appreciate other suggestions if you've done something like this recently. Graphics card suggestions are especially welcome as I'd like to find something relatively quiet (fanless even?) that can do what I want if I end up building my own.
Thanks.