Atom 330 as a XPMC?

[TheKub]

I am looking at repurposing my current Media Center hardware as a home server and was looking at smaller alternatives.

Would the Intel BOXD945GCLF2 (Atom 330) have enough CPU to run XPMCE? I only run standard def video.

 

[Arkaign]

Yes, that will push 480p video. Something like a BE series AMD AM2+ X2 proc would be a far better choice though, unless you just HAVE to have the lowest power draw in the world.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Sadly that Intel 945 chipsets consume more power then the AMD chipset, so your not really saving any power by having the Atom.

IMO, Atoms should stick to mobile phones/laptops/kiosks.

 

[Soulkeeper]

X2 at 1Ghz with 1v wins

 

[soccerballtux]

Yeah I'd go for the AMD setup. Great HTPC solution.

 

[TheKub]

My goal isn?t necessarily lowest power. What I am looking for is Mini-ITX form factor with S-Video out and the lowest cost that gives me a decent XPMCE experience. I suppose lower heat generation would be good as well though I?m not anal about some fan noise.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

MiniITX and a decent experience just don't go together. Whether it be AMD, Intel or Via. mATX is where its at.

 

[graysky]

Just as an aside, why are you stuck on XPMC? There are LINUX alternatives out there that will blow XPMC away feature-wise. Mythtv is the app I'm thinking of and there are several distros literally built around it: knoppmyth (renamed linhes when R6 goes gold), mythbuntu, and mythdora to name a few. I know as a fact that LinHES powered by an Atom 330 has plenty of juice to playback 480i/p no problem. Throw in a passively cooled 8400GS for another $50 and you're doing 720p and 1080i via VDPAU with no sweat.

See this thread over at linhes.org where in the dev of LinHES discloses hardware specs for the 'atomic ant' system which is built around the Atom 330.

 

[TheKub]

I?m not ?stuck? on XP. I got it for free from someone who won it attending a MS event so the cost is the same as Linux. I don?t really care about extra features, I don?t even use everything the XPMCE can do. All I use it for is playback of pre-downloaded content and mp3 jukebox. I can sit down on the couch after work grab my $20 MCE remote, browse my content and fire up something to watch. The interface (both app and remote) is so simple the GF only needed 5 min instruction on how to use it.

My current MC is a dual core Intel with 4GB of memory in an Antec 900 case with a Gigabyte mobo that has 8 SATA connections on it. Given that it is overkill I want to install a couple of 1TB-1.5TB drives and maybe WHS on it and slim down the massive piece of equipment that has to sit next to the TV.