Tom's Guide > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > Min spec CPU for HTPC?

Min spec CPU for HTPC?

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Min spec CPU for HTPC?

TomsGuide.com: Over 800,000 questions and answers to address all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
waxdart   11-08-2007 at 11:02:18 AM

I've built a few game rigs and normally that means best kit you can afford.

But now I want to know what CPU I can get away with? cheapest without stuttering video for a HTPC.
No hi-def video needed.

I think I should get the cheapest AMD I can find but that might me a silly thing todo.

Any ideas?

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
yipsl   11-08-2007 at 11:30:59 AM
- 0 +

The Blue Ray standard requires a 2.0 gigahertz CPU for playback. Here are the specs for the Lite On Blue Ray drive at Newegg:

Quote :


Pentium 4 2.0GHz or faster CPU and 512MB or higher RAM are required
> 30GB HDD available capacity.

For High Definition BD Playback & Authoring: (Only Windows XP SP2)
Pentium D 3.4GHz or faster CUP and 1GB or higher RAM are required.
GPU : NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT / 7600GT / 7800GTX512 / 7900GX2 / 7900GTX / 7950GX2 and ATI X1600 / X1800 / X1900 series are recommended.
>60GB HDD available capacity.

HDCP capable graphics card with 256MB RAM, PCI Express x16, 1920x1200 resolution, 32bit color. HDCP capable Monitor or TV for High Definition digital output.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106037

So, I went with an Athlon X2 3800+ on an ASUS 690G motherboard. Of course, I don't have a Blue Ray drive for it yet, but futureproof is good. I also have 2 gigs of Kingston DDR2-667. Here's the ASUS HDMI 690G motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131174

See Tom's CPU charts for Divx encoding comparisons. An Athlon X2 3800+ Windsor does it in 3.06 minutes while a Netburst dinosaur at 3.4 gigahertz takes 3.49.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_ [...] &chart=430

We also use this to play our unlicensed anime fansubs with Windows Media Player classic. It has a DVD burner set for region 1 and a DVD drive set for region 2, for Japanese DVDS. I've not noticed any stuttering or problems. You could get an Athlon X2 4200+ cheaply or futureproof with an Athlon X2 4800+.

Note that the 790G DX10 integrated boards are coming out in January, you might want to wait until then. Plus the Phenoms X2's should lower the prices on the remaining Windsor and Brisbane Athlon X2's a bit.


Message edited by yipsl on 11-08-2007 at 11:41:22 AM
Reply to yipsl
waxdart   11-14-2007 at 04:42:47 PM
- 0 +

I think your set up looks just about right for me too. When the dual HD/BR players come out for £50 $100 I’ll get one too. There may even be some film worth watching then.
Just to double check ASUS 690G - S/PDIF optical out, I hope.


I didn't think about the THG CPU charts for this. I'm going to have a good look. I think I'll stay away from the p4. Power use matters to me, as I have to pay the bills and the machine is going to be on a lot recording programs when I'm out.

790G DX10
January is a bit too far away and as always with systems in a few months after Jan they'll want to sell me the 810G DX10 with added extra.

Having just bought a Q6600 for my work station I've been trying not to look at the price drops and the "what I could of bought" if only I waited for a few month.

Thanks for your post.

Reply to waxdart
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Guide > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > Min spec CPU for HTPC?
Go to:

There are 11 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.311 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Google ads