whats the slowest computer need to run music?

[walls83]

Im getting ready to buy a new(new to me) PC and Im trying to figure out whats the slowest computer I could get to run Virtual Music and a touchscreen.  Ive been looking at cheap ass P2 and just upgrading the harddrive.  Could I get away with a 300mgz computer for my jukebox..? Thanks  Brad

[DaveMMR]

Playing MP3 files is not incredibly taxing.  I was able to do it on my computer at work which was I think 300mhz.   The problem with speed is if you decide to run graphic intensive visualizations or FEs (check requirements on the programs you intend to run).  

The only thing is that the pause while the file is loading is more noticeable.  Putting a lot of memory in there might help.  

[davebart]

I'm running Virtual Music Jukebox on an old AMD K6 233mhz.

MP3's play without any problems...the only issue is that there is a tiny amout of jerkiness with the album trays sliding but it isn't that noticable

[DaveMMR]

Actually I remember playing MP3s on my Pentium Pro 166 back in the day (I held on to that for computer for way too long).  No problems there.

[paigeoliver]

My 100 mhz thinkpad laptop (not even a pentium) can play mp3s with only 30 percent processor usage.

So basically, just about anything you would ever use can play mp3s. I really don't think many people are still even using 486 based computers (which play them fine). The surplus computer places don't even seem to have 486s anymore.

[IceCold]

My 100 mhz thinkpad laptop (not even a pentium) can play mp3s with only 30 percent processor usage.

So basically, just about anything you would ever use can play mp3s. I really don't think many people are still even using 486 based computers (which play them fine). The surplus computer places don't even seem to have 486s anymore.

Yeah, I agree!  I used a pentium 100(it was a 486 with the overdrive thing) and it ran them fine, no jerkiness, skipping, etc.

[TheGatesofBill]

The GP32 has no trouble playing MP3s with a simple visualization with the CPU running at 30 MHz.

[ashardin]

My car's head unit runs it.  Its running at...well, its not a computer, but you get the idea.

Not very taxing.  I remember doing it on a 90 MHZ pentium machine a while ago.

[Chris]

When I had a Pentium 100, it would stutter some, and my 120 wouldn't, so although others have been okay at that speed, I would go too far down the food chain.  300 MHz PC's are practically throwaways these days...

--Chris

[walls83]

I got a 333 p2. So Im set to go