I'm building a small HTPC for my living room, only intend to play MKVs and stream HD content from Netflix and the like.
I'm trying to decide between an Intel Core i3-3225 ($133) or go budget with it and get an Intel Celeron G555 ($54).
From all of my research, it seems the Celeron is more than capable of handling 1080p content, locally or streamed. The only thing stopping me from settling on it is the i3 has Intel Clear Video HD Technology...I can find next to no personal accounts on how good this tech is or if it's just marketing flair. I have no idea if playback software must support it to benefit from it or not. I've seen a couple people in forums claim it's significantly better. It's really frustrating that no real world information is available about this tech. If what they say it does is true, it should be important to most HTPC enthusiasts. I just can't validate Intel's claims as of yet. Thoughts?
I'm trying to decide between an Intel Core i3-3225 ($133) or go budget with it and get an Intel Celeron G555 ($54).
From all of my research, it seems the Celeron is more than capable of handling 1080p content, locally or streamed. The only thing stopping me from settling on it is the i3 has Intel Clear Video HD Technology...
Intel Clear Video Technology (from wiki)
According to Intel, Clear Video Technology enables; Enhanced high-definition video playback, Sharper images, Precise color control, and Advanced display capability.
Intel Clear Video Technology Features and benefits:
According to Intel, Clear Video Technology enables; Enhanced high-definition video playback, Sharper images, Precise color control, and Advanced display capability.
Intel Clear Video Technology Features and benefits:
- MPEG-2 decode iDCT + motion compensation. Up to 2 stream support (1 HD and 1 SD)
- De-interlacing Advanced pixel adaptive (SD/HD-1080i)
- Color control ProcAmp: brightness, hue, saturation, contrast.
- Video scaling 4x4 scaling
- Digital Display Support (through SDVO) Digital Video Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- Display support RGB (QXGA), HDMI, UDI, DVI, HDTV (1080i/p, 720p), Composite, Component, S-Video (via Intel Serial Digital Video Out), TV-out, CRT
- Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3, letterbox
- Maximum resolution support 2048 x 1536 at 75 Hz, RGB (QXGA)