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Thread: htpc - CPU

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    htpc - CPU

    Hi, planning on building a htpc, looking at spending around £400, it will also be used for some other stuff such as web browsing and also as a server to store all my media.

    I'm plannig on integrated graphics, as I'm not going to be playing games, and they should be fine for HD playback.

    Contenders:

    i3-530
    i3-2100
    and most likely:
    i3-2100T

    With the 2100t, I am just worried iff my needs changed in the future I'll be stuck with an underclocked 2100, which I am apparently unable to overclock

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    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Remember that the Core i3 GPU still has the 24p issue:

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/7

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Hi,

    I'm planning something similar atm and wanted max flexibility for around £400.

    My current choice is :

    AMD Athlon II X2 245e Energy Efficient Dual Core, S AM3, 2.9GHz, 2MB Cache, 45W, Retail

    But planning on getting a passive cooled GT430 GPU as well as that seems the card of choice for XBMC currently (can handle HD Audio bitstreaming).

    Seemed to be the best balanced system I could spec for around that price.

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Remember that the Core i3 GPU still has the 24p issue:
    Yeah, I might go with it, and see how i get on, if needed i'll buy a gpu.

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Quote Originally Posted by brad_whitwell View Post
    Hi,

    I'm planning something similar atm and wanted max flexibility for around £400.

    My current choice is :

    AMD Athlon II X2 245e Energy Efficient Dual Core, S AM3, 2.9GHz, 2MB Cache, 45W, Retail

    But planning on getting a passive cooled GT430 GPU as well as that seems the card of choice for XBMC currently (can handle HD Audio bitstreaming).

    Seemed to be the best balanced system I could spec for around that price.
    I'm planning on a milo ml03b, so would need a half height video card.
    What case are you looking at on that budget?

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Best balanced one I could find (that would fit on my hifi stand) was a Silverstone GD05.

    Comes with 3 12cm fans, so has good airflow, was was planning on a passive GT430 to keep the noise down. Has issues with the size of CPU coolers, but then most HTPC cases do.

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    get a core i5 quad core 1st gen.

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Im doing an HTPC very soon, looking at a AMD 250 x2 based setup with 2GB of ram (maybe 4 now its cheap) I havent seen reviews, the i3's any good for htpcs?

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Quote Originally Posted by j.o.s.h.1408 View Post
    get a core i5 quad core 1st gen.
    any reason?
    theres no need for it and it's more power hungry, so needs more cooling, which means more noise and/or a bigger case, and costs more.

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    Re: htpc - CPU

    Quote Originally Posted by lm_wfc View Post
    any reason?
    theres no need for it and it's more power hungry, so needs more cooling, which means more noise and/or a bigger case, and costs more.
    Doesnt need mroe cooling or a bigger case. im using a mini nocta cooler which has an 80mm fan and its silent and cool.

    could probably take off the fan!

    Reason for siggesting that is the OP will be more "future" proof just incase higher res HD movies appear in the future thats higher than 1080p. Plus if the OP is into games, he could turn his htpc into a very capable gaming rig.

    If the OP is on a budget then fair enough go for a cheap £50 dual core amd or intel.

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