Spec. for observatory computer?

[NightCal]

The computer in my observatory has just slipped off this mortal coil and hence I'm in the market for a cheap computer to replace it.
It needs to:
Run a Phillips Toucam Pro II for imaging without dropping frames
Run a Meade DSI 1 colour
Control my Meade LX200.
Run K3CCD tools.
It would be nice if it could run multpoint alignment on Registax 4, but this isn't strictly necessary as I have a Pentium 4 computer in the study that will handle this.
I'm looking at machine with the following spec:
Celeron 2000 processor, 160GB hard disk, 512DDR memory, 16x DvDRW and AGP onboard graphics. I already have a 250GB external IDE hard drive for back ups.
Thoughts please. Do you think this will do the job? No "well of course a Mac G6 would be best"-type suggestions please; I'm on a VERY tight budget for this.

[mikeash]

I was on a very tight budget and did this:

canibalised old P2 system (case, hard drive, cd rom)
bought new motherboard asus m2npv AM2 (onboard sound graphics)
512 M ram
new PSU
CPU = AMD Athlon64 3200 socket AM2
OS = Debian Etch (Linux, free)
Monitor = old svga I had lying around
some fiddling to get the screen right (1280x960 virtual screen on 1024x760 display setting)

total cost < NZ$400 (about 150 pounds sterling)

It runs qastrocam for tucam840
registax4 via wine (win32 emulation)

you need to be a little computer savvy for setting it up

I can't confirm your other software needs will be met so some risk in attempting this I think

Mike

[rogerg (Roger)]

What you have suggested sounds almost more powerful than my 2.4gighz pentium, and mine does a lot more than what you're wanting.

I would've thought you'd be alright with what you have suggested no problems.

Of course more power is always better, but you can also work with what you have, within reason.

Roger.