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
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
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.
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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
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Pob's new mod, Soviet Pob Propaganda style Laptop.
"Are you suggesting that I can't punch an entire dimension into submission?" - Flying squirrel - The Red Panda Adventures
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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.
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