Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: C2d 5200 good HTPC chip

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    864
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    38 times in 30 posts
    • rob4001's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte z97
      • CPU:
      • Xeon 1231 v3
      • Memory:
      • 16GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 840 256GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac GTX 1660 super
      • PSU:
      • Sliverstone 500w SFX-L
      • Case:
      • Silverstone SG13 mitx
      • Operating System:
      • windows 10 64 bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus 27" 1440p
      • Internet:
      • Comcast 75MB

    C2d 5200 good HTPC chip

    I've got a core2duo 5200 chip sitting around not doing anything. I don't have any other parts for it though so was wondering it its worth building an HTPC around it or go for Llano instead. What's the power consumption like with a 5200?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,143
    Thanks
    608
    Thanked
    1,226 times in 1,123 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: C2d 5200 good HTPC chip

    Note: that's actually a pentium Dual core not a core2duo, it's based on the core2duo just with less cache

    As to a HTPC cpu, yes it's fine, however you also have to factor in graphics load.
    the intel onboard gpu's are pretty stinky for anything much above basic desktop use, eg something like HD video playback, so ideally you'd want to add in a graphics card.
    Best you could do for onboard would be to get an nvidia 9300 based motherboard, but they tend to be more expensive.

    Llano has a built in gpu and will do much better without the need for a separate card.

    The power consumption is fairly low on the pentium dual core, esp. the 45nm wolfdale based e5200
    Using this cpu you already have will save money even with the added cost of a low end graphics card.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,143
    Thanks
    608
    Thanked
    1,226 times in 1,123 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: C2d 5200 good HTPC chip

    You're looking at around £160 for a Llano A6-3650 + motherboard
    It has an onboard 6530gpu

    So if we take a 6570 gddr5 graphics card http://www.ebuyer.com/265346-sapphir...d-11191-03-20g which is slightly better, add in a cheap mATX G41 motherboard http://www.ebuyer.com/267114-gigabyt...x-ga-g41mt-s2p
    We're looking at £93 which is just slightly more than the Llano cpu on it's own

  4. #4
    Super Nerd
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Cambridge
    Posts
    1,785
    Thanks
    22
    Thanked
    105 times in 72 posts

    Re: C2d 5200 good HTPC chip

    An mATX board, a graphics card all built with an average case and PSU with that chip won't be great on power usage or fit in a particularly small package, a lot of Watts are wasted to power supply inefficiency on low load ATX systems.

    Personally I would recommend going ITX for HTPC, unless you need to use lots of expansion cards.

    You could get an ITX board for the 5200 (G31/3/5 or G41/3/5), a case with a DC-DC power supply such as the Antec ISK 300-150 and a low profile graphics card. But that wouldn't really be optimal...

    Best option for HTPC at the moment is a Llano APU & ITX board in a case like the Antec, no need for add-in graphics adapter so leaves the PCI-E open for a dual DVB-T2 tuner such as Blackgold 3620.

    Alternatively you could also get a Core i3 2100T/Pentium G620T & H67/H61 ITX board. This has less graphics oomph but reduced load power so *could* be a quieter system (idle is about the same). Graphics are actually fine for HTPC though so long as you aren't sensitive to repeated frames as a result of refresh rate issues - it doesn't bother me and I'm happy with my i3 2100T system.

    Use SSDs or 2.5" drives for HTPC - much less noise/vibration. If using SSDs probably don't use G31 or G41, check the ICH7 version partnered with it only the ICH7DH, ICH7R, ICH7-M, ICH7-M DH chip have AHCI support according to Wikipedia.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Upgrade old PC for 1080p? Freeview HD HTPC?
    By hatrack in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 31-03-2010, 12:37 PM
  2. Advice on small and quiet HTPC please
    By elsmandino in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 19-03-2010, 03:18 PM
  3. HTPC RE-build: Watch it happen!
    By Skinleech in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 28-07-2009, 09:37 AM
  4. HTPC - build or buy Atom/Ion
    By edgars70 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 18-06-2009, 09:36 AM
  5. Ars System Guide: HTPC edition
    By Steve in forum HEXUS News
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-02-2005, 05:30 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •