HTPC needs moar CPU!

[foghorn67]

I built a decent HTPC using carefully selected parts for keeping a budget in mind. It turned out nice since it handles BluRay without hiccups and decent CPU usage during BR playback.

The motherboard is (going off memory here) a GA-MA78GM-S2H. You know, the 780G chipset on MicroATX.

The CPU was a Fry's sale, AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz.

I figured my desktop would handle any DVD to divx encoding. But the way I am utilizing the desktop, I don't have to time queue any of my movies to do this. I would let the HTPC do this, but OMFG is it slow at encoding. I didn't expect anything fast, but it sucks.

What would be a good drop in replacement for the Brisbane?

I thought about trying to find a 45W or 65W replacement, but some quick look ups on CPU charts say that any upgrade would be only lateral when it comes to encoding. It looks Phenom Tri or Quad cores are the only way to go. However, their wattage scares me. Is silently cooling them possible on a budget? I got a cheapy TT that cools off the Brisbane in near silence. Even encoding, and 100% utilization, the fully "revved up" fan speed is quiet.

Suggestions on CPU/Cooler combos for HTPC?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Hmmm, that's a toughie. Have you tried overclocking your 5000+?

Phenom would be a logical upgrade path, but they run hot and cost $$, plus I don't believe you'd want to go over 95w on a CPU for that mobo. I don't think you can get a Phenom to operate near 100% load quietly with an inexpensive HSF.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Hmmm, that's a toughie. Have you tried overclocking your 5000+?

Phenom would be a logical upgrade path, but they run hot and cost $$, plus I don't believe you'd want to go over 95w on a CPU for that mobo. I don't think you can get a Phenom to operate near 100% load quietly with an inexpensive HSF.

Well, no. I haven't yet tried OC'ing the 5000+.

<sigh>, well...this is sort of depressing.

 

[daveybrat]

Why not the Phenom Triple-Core 2.3GHz 8650? It's only $99 and free shipping at Newegg right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103253

Only 95Watts and should be faster than your current processor in encoding.

 

[zerogear]

I use 9600 Phenom 4x Black Edition

 

[SickBeast]

What about using Badaboom to encode on an NV gpu?

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
What about using Badaboom to encode on an NV gpu?

<does a quick google>

 

[foghorn67]

Well badaboom does look interesting. I just looked at the nv site, and their isn't much of a description. It seems geared towards portable devices. Can it's output be customized? I intend to watch these on a TV, not my pmp.

 

[SickBeast]

It has several profiles, such as PS3, Xbox360, etc. I'm not sure if you can set a specific resolution.

You might want to wait for the new version; it should be out within the next few months.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Well badaboom does look interesting. I just looked at the nv site, and their isn't much of a description. It seems geared towards portable devices. Can it's output be customized? I intend to watch these on a TV, not my pmp.

Are you using the 780g's graphics? Isn't Badaboom Nvidia-specific?

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Well badaboom does look interesting. I just looked at the nv site, and their isn't much of a description. It seems geared towards portable devices. Can it's output be customized? I intend to watch these on a TV, not my pmp.

Are you using the 780g's graphics? Isn't Badaboom Nvidia-specific?

Well since I am thinking about upgrading the CPU only for the purposes of encoding, a video card instead wouldn't be too bad of an idea. Too bad I can't even try it out on my desktop. That has an ATI card.