minimum requirements for 1080p

[Zoom123]

Hello,

What are the minimum requirements for 1080p video in terms of CPU and motherboard (with build in graphics). 1080p video from online streaming (netflix etc) and downloaded content (not blu-ray)

Which of these setups will be sufficient (if any):

1. Sempron 140 + Motherboard with 760G Chipset

2. Athlon II X2 250 + Motherboard with 760G Chipset

3. Athlon II X2 255 + Motherboard with 880G Chipset

Also, will going to 4GB of memory (instead of 2GB) make a difference? (with Win 7)

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

760G chipset may lack some UVD features, I would go with the 880G chipset out of those choices.

 

[RyanGreener]

I'd go with the newest chipset of integrated graphics, which would be the 880g in this case.

 

[Zoom123]

Thanks guys. I understand that the last option is the best one, but it is also the most expensive. Would the cheaper options not be good enough for HD video?

 

[dma0991]

If what you intend to build is strictly meant for playing 1080P movies only then I would suggest that you consider getting an AMD Zacate E-350 instead. It can play 1080P without any issues and draw very little power. The E-350 should fit your needs pretty well based on your needs stated at the first post.

 

[Zargon]

I have a machine with a AII x2 regor 250 and 780G and it cannot do 1080p with the onboard.

 

[mnewsham]

OP look at this, it will do 1080P just fine.

 

[Zoom123]

Thanks. Apart from being cheaper, would AMD E-350 APU be better than an Athlon II x2 + 880G Motherboard when it comes to HD video?

 

[mnewsham]

Yes the IGP on the E-350 is much better then the standard AMD IGP. It runs really well with HD video.

 

[RyanGreener]

The E-350 seems to be a win-win-win situation. Draws less power, runs 1080p, and is cheaper. If you decide to get a fanless one, it'll also be quieter.

 

[DesiPower]

Can E-350 do Blu-ray? is there a connection for Audio over HDMI?

 

[OS]

I have a machine with a AII x2 regor 250 and 780G and it cannot do 1080p with the onboard.

are you sure about that?

my laptop is a turion x2 TL60 (2.0 Ghz) and HD3200 and it plays, uhh, 1080p taylor swift videos downsampled to 1366x768.

 

[Zoom123]

I've noticed that the E-350 motherboards support only single channel memory. Does this mean there is no advantage of installing 2 memory sticks and it might be better to get just one, leaving the other slot empty for future upgrades?

Also, for Win 7 64bit, will 2GB memory be enough for my needs, or should I go for 4?

 

[mnewsham]

I would go with 4 Just because you shouldnt have to worry about a RAM upgrade after that. A single 4GB DIMM of DDR3 is around $40 with that RAM you might have to manually down clock to DDR3 1066 (as it isnt rated for 1333Mhz) but that isnt hard nor bad. In fact it should automatically do it.

 

[Zargon]

are you sure about that?

my laptop is a turion x2 TL60 (2.0 Ghz) and HD3200 and it plays, uhh, 1080p taylor swift videos downsampled to 1366x768.

pretty sure. I have tried 1080p x234 and it chunks sand skips all over.

 

[mfenn]

Can E-350 do Blu-ray? is there a connection for Audio over HDMI?

Yes and yes (the mobo has built in sound hardware for HDMI). It's a really nice little chip.

 

[fffblackmage]

pretty sure. I have tried 1080p x234 and it chunks sand skips all over.

I have a Sempron 145 and 785G mobo that played 1080p content just fine. You're doing something wrong? Have you tried other software? Oh, I also noticed that not having enough ram reserved for the HD4250 IGP caused problems for playback.

 

[0roo0roo]

h264 decode tends to be multithreaded now,more than one core is safest bet.

1080p in a browser window tends to use more, i think theres some weird color space conversion going on or something.

 

[Zargon]

I have a Sempron 145 and 785G mobo that played 1080p content just fine. You're doing something wrong? Have you tried other software? Oh, I also noticed that not having enough ram reserved for the HD4250 IGP caused problems for playback.

it could be the ram. off hand I have no idea what I had it reserve.

I have used VLC and WMP. it does pretty everything BUT HD stuff for me fine.

 

[Zoom123]

What sort of power supply should I use with a E-350 system? Will a usual 300-400W PSU work fine? I know it can run with less power, but I have some older PSUs and I would prefer to use one of them if possible.

 

[mnewsham]

it could run off a 30w PSU i think.... isnt the E-350 rated at 18w?

 

[Zoom123]

Would it run ok with a 300-400W PSU? Because that is what I already have.

 

[mnewsham]

yes, should be fine.