CPU and GPU for HTPC

[kd2777]

What is a good CPU and video card for a HTPC? I t will mainly be used for TiVo like functions and receiving HD signals (via ATI HDTV). As secondary functions it will play DVDs and music. I don?t care to buy better pieces, but I don?t want to waste my money if there is no advantage.

My first thought was a 2.4 P4 with an ATI 9600pro/XT, but that is a stab in the dark.

Thanks

kd

 

[wuduhel]

i have a p4 2.26 and only 256RAM with a crap mx440 video card and PVR-250 tuner card.

it runs fine but i don't use HD and wish i had more RAM and better video card.

 

[flamingspinach]

Looks good to me. From the description of what you intend to do with the system, I would recommend going for the All-In-Wonder version of the 9600 Pro, if the price is still low enough for you. Very useful.

-fs

 

[Goi]

P4s are generally better than A64s when it comes to hardcore HTPC, especially when you're doing post processing and resizing. The 9600 is a great card for HTPC too.

 

[kd2777]

Well I have bought most of the parts so far.

Shuttle 65 G2
2.4 Northwood
1GB RAM
250GB HDD (wanted the 300 Maxtor w/16 cache but couldn't bring myself to py 100 more for it)
card reader w/floppy
optical drive

I don't have;

Video card
HD card
software

I guess I still have the hard choices left. I am pretty sure I am going to get the 9600 (more than likly the xt, since it is only a few bucks more) I have been eying the HDTV for ever, but I am starting to have reservations about it. I guess I am going to go with Microsoft Media Center, I don't know of any other good ones, so I guess it is safe.

kd

 

[Goosemaster]

Unfortuntately, if you will be transcoding or playing WMVHD material, I recommend at least a 3Ghz chip from either vendor. You're going to need it.


Oh, and a gig of RAM. You might not need it 24/7, but when you'll need it, it will make a massive difference with HTPC stuff. For reference my modest HTPC is using 400MB right now, and all I have immediately open is Firefox....I have a LOT of stuff running in the background, and the ram helps to keep EVERYTHING peepy.

As other people mentioned, isolate your CPU for more critical application by using a Hardware-based tv tuner such as a PVR250/250MCE/250BTV/150/350 and external firewire drives. The Hardware PVR250 tuner I have uses at msot 5% of my CPU when recording, and my firewire drive, because of its controller, uses about the same, so I almost always have a max of 10-20%CPU usage during the day.

Of course, when I start transcoding, all it is is 100%😉

 

[arod]

I personally went with an amd 2800+ for mine maily because of the heat issue (its on 24/7 and you dont want your room getting hotter than it needs to), for me i have the htpc, receiver and projector running so it makes quite a bit of heat.

 

[Goi]

O/C that 2.4C to like 3.2GHz and you'd be all set for the most part.