Best Sub $400 CPU for DVD encoding/authoring?

[oneils]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to build a new system and one of its major functions will be for dvd authoring/encoding. I mainly convert mpeg files to dvix (for burning to cd-r) and encode mpeg files for burning to dvd-r.

Right now my A64 2800+ takes for ever to perform these tasks. I've been looking at: A64 4000+ (s939); X2 4200 (s939); Pentium D 950; and Core Duo T2500.

Part of the problem is that I do not really know what spec I should be looking at...L2 Cache? Also, finding reviews comparing encoding times are hard to find. For now, I'll start by reading individual reviews. My biggest concern is pure performance at the sub$400 level - so it does not have to be dual core...but dual core does seem to be the future.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fallengod]

Well id wait for conroe to come out, cause that looks like it will be the best bang 4 buck. However, pretty much any socket 939 dual core cpu will be fine. Maybe an opteron 165 cpu or X2 3800. You can easily find one under $400 anyways.

 

[hardwareking]

upto when conroe comes out,the AM2 x2 3800+ would be the best one.After conroe comes out,a $180 E6300 would be better.