[kymira]

Ive build 2 htpcs thus far both running xbmc on Win, both cpu's were at least 3ghz dual cores to ensure the best possible playback.

Now im building a "simple" one for my Mom, when I say simple, I mean she doesn't require HD as her tv doesn't support it. And at most she will be playing back divx rips and the rare mkv h24 file.

Would I be able to pull it off with a single core cpu?
How about external players and gpu acceleration?

**I would need to have something running stable for her and dont want to frustrate her as I wont be there all the time to configure things.


Ive got some spare parts lying around, not sure if they would enough or not:

ASUS A8N-VM CSM
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
ATI x800gto PCIe

[divingmule]

You should be fine. My ubuntu 9.10 box with a +3200 does great. I don't know about blueray rips but, live and recorded hd tv from MythTv works fine. The only time it struggles is with flash, but it's totally watchable.

[kymira]

are you using vdpau?

[divingmule]

No. I recently upgraded to a nivida 7950 witch isn't supported. I was using a ati x1600 with out any trouble.