Looking for a cool running processor

[sparek]

Sorry if this topic has been discussed before or if this is the wrong forum.

I'm looking into build a cheap HTPC box to watch streaming video from the Internet on my TV in the living room. I'm wanting the box to be relatively quiet, so I'm concerned as to what CPU would be best for this purpose. Again, the box will not be doing a whole lot, so I don't think I would need a very fast processor or a type of the line processor. Initially I was considering the Celeron line, but from doing some quick reading, it looks like the Athlon 64s or Sempron might be a better solution.

I realize that the noise levels would be generated by the heatsink fan and case fans, but a cooler running processor would generate less heat and require less of a fan. I'm just wondering what the recommended processor might be, one that would run relatively cool and would not require a really loud fan. I would appreciate anybody's input.

Also, if you have a recommendation for a heatsink for a suggested processor, I would like to hear those suggestions as well.

Thanks

 

[BonzaiDuck]

This is "just off the top of my head," and I think it depends on whether you feel compelled to build a system in the "current technology generation."

I happened to browse some recent articles in "Computer Shopper" and "Maximum PC," which assert that you don't really need a very powerful processor for an HTPC.

I could be wrong about this, but that's what I recall.

Other than that, AMD is supposed to produce the "greenest" and coolest processors. Frankly, I think you could get by with an old 2.4C Northwood, and I think one of those magazine articles was suggesting a processor that was even slower.

Also, from my experience, mainstream multimedia applications -- even capturing and saving video -- don't really tax a processor that much, or they don't tax a processor in the last two generations. Just watching television through my Hauppauge PVR500 card and capturing to disk, I hardly notice the temperature increase in the system at all.

Burning to disc -- that's another matter, I think. But if you want to use your system like a TIVO, I don't really see any "heat" issues there.

Someone else might have a more reliable opinion. As I said -- "off the top of my head" on this one.

And I'm not all that familiar with grabbing video from the internet, but I rather doubt such a source of video would depart from the above profile. I grab video replays through my LAN -- a gigabit ethernet. The computer might as well be asleep. And compared to that, your internet access is a bottleneck.

 

[yuchai]

An AMD Turion processor may be what you want. Check out the following link for info about making it work on a desktop platform.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article300-page1.html

 

[Zim]

Most AMD64 chips idle really cool with Cool'n'Quiet enabled (or using RightMark CPU Clock utility). In my system, the CPU fan noise is pretty much inaudible until I get into an extended period of 100% cpu usage, at which point the BIOS kicks up up the fan speed. For most HTPC uses, 100% CPU usage is not the norm. If it were me, I'd go for a 144 or 146 Opteron. If you have more cash then a 165 or 170, especially if using software encoders.

BTW, CnQ works by dropping the frequency and core voltage of a processor while it isn't doing much. The frequency drops by about 1/2 and the voltage by about 15% taking the temperature down by maybe 10C. With RMClock, you can configure it yourself rather than relying on the sometimes troublesome AMD CPU drivers. My own CPU idles at around 28C but will hit 52C after an extended period on full load, and that's having overclocked it by 45%.

My SI-120 heatsink with a 120mm fan works exceptionally well. I tried quite a few heatsinks before finally finding one I liked.

 

[Markfw]

I have 3 Sonata cases with X2's @2500 in them in my bedroom. All with XP90's, and you can barely hear ALL 3 together running ! Any Athlon64 or Turion or X2 will be fairly cool. I don't know what choises you have in an SFF case. If you get the Sonata, and an XP90, I know you are very safe. Just pick a low speed 92mm fan.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I say wait for Core Duo. if your willing to jump X2 prices. If not, get a small P4 like the 2.8 C with HT. killer processors!

 

[sparek]

Thanks for all of your replies. I really do appreciate them.

I noticed that nobody seemed to recommend the Sempron family. Is there a specific reason? I just ask because the Semprons and Sempron 64s all seem to be a bit cheaper. Again, since I'm not really planning on doing a whole lot with the HTPC box, would a Sempron suffice just as well as a regular Athlon? Do the Semprons support the Cool'n'Quiet feature (I guess it ultimately depends on whether or not the motherboard supports it).

This does feel kind of weird. I used to build systems all the time, back when the original Athlons came out (I still have a Thunderbird Athlon that I use). But then I got out of it, and everything seems to have just moved way, way past me. I do appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Childs]

Sempron will do fine. Its more important to have hardware mpeg2 encoding tv tuners. In fact, you could get away with a 1Ghz Duron, and even lower if you wanted to with hardware encoding tuners and a video card with mpeg decode assist, but the Sempron 2800 seems like a good deal, especially if you live near a Frys.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: sparek
I noticed that nobody seemed to recommend the Sempron family. Is there a specific reason? I just ask because the Semprons and Sempron 64s all seem to be a bit cheaper. Again, since I'm not really planning on doing a whole lot with the HTPC box, would a Sempron suffice just as well as a regular Athlon? Do the Semprons support the Cool'n'Quiet feature (I guess it ultimately depends on whether or not the motherboard supports it).

Hasn't been recommended because I didn't see this thread until now. BTW sparek, welcome to the forums.

My HTPC is running a Sempron 2600+ at stock MHz and undervolted through BIOS. Suffice to say that it runs nice and cool, and has plenty of performance. The 6600GT in there gets a LOT hotter. My CPU HSF is a Zalman 7000AlCu with the fan undervolted through BIOS. I can hear the hum of the fans and the HDD if I put my face near the system, but while sitting on the couch I can't hear a thing from the system.

IIRC Semprons at 3000+ or higher have Cool and Quiet, though some of the older Paris cores may not (only made in 3000+/3100+ speeds).

Even at stock voltages and stock speeds, the Palermo Semprons run nice and cool, and are powerful enough for anything you need them to do.