Info needed for Media Build Streamer

[Sepen]

Hope this is the correct forum. I am looking to build an inexpensive computer to hook directly
to my router for networking. This will be to playback mkv files etc directly via Mezzmo to my several WDTV Live boxes. Most of them will be 720P and some 1080P. I will throw Win 7 onto it. I already have several cases to choose from, have the hdd's, ram, power supply, cdrom etc. I am looking for a energy saver as compared to my main rig which I use now. I researched NAS but have decided to go this route as I am familiar with what the expectations are. What should I look for in the motherboard/cpu families? I have seen the AMD E-350 with mb bundles but don't know if it will be powerful enough to possibly stream two videos at the same time, I have kids.

Any info would be most appreciated.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I highly doubt that an E-350 mobo will be able to transcode videos for you. It can playback 1080P video, with hardware acceleration, but the weak dual-core CPU isn't good for transcoding.

(The E-350 is great for web browsing and just watching videos though.)

 

[Ketchup]

I highly doubt that an E-350 mobo will be able to transcode videos for you. It can playback 1080P video, with hardware acceleration, but the weak dual-core CPU isn't good for transcoding.

Agreed. According to this AT article

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4134/the-brazos-review-amds-e350-supplants-ion-for-miniitx

it seems to fall a bit shy of meeting your needs now, let alone down the road.

 

[Sepen]

Thanks for the info guys. I have my sons build which he used for one month (about 2 years ago)that has a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ which I suppose should be enough. Wanted to keep it at lower power though but maybe it will do the job. Thanks again.