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Mobo/CPU upgrade for an HTPC

H

hasu

Senior member
I have upgraded my HTPC (Celeron 3.06GHz) with ATI HDTV wonder and the CPU finds it hard to keep up with the new demand. Video gets very choppy sometimes (with all latest drivers and clean install). Video card is 9600 Pro AGP (with DX9).

Motherboad is Mach Speed Matrix P4MBMS based on P4M800CE. A possible upgrade only for the CPU would be Intel Pentium 4 541 Prescott 3.2GHz (HT). But I am worried about the heat issues. How about Intel Pentium D 915 Presler (65 nm). Will it be hot for my lowspeed hsf too? As per Intel process finder, Pentium D must produce more heat than Pentium 4. But I am wondering if 65 nm makes any difference.

If I can get a better performance with less heat issues, I can upgrade both CPU and motherboad. But I would like to keep AGP card, DDR Memory and Sound (Audigy2). That means at least I need 2 PCI and an AGP. I can use my wireless card too if I can get a mobo with 1 AGP and 3 PCI slots. Any recommendations for a not-so-expensive CPU/mATX mobo for this purpose? No preference for AMD/Intel

C2D is too expensive for now.


Thanks
 
I just recently upgraded my htpc to an e6300. Fry's has the e6300 and ecs mATX p4m800pro-m mobo for $169-$179.00 can't remember which. You can keep your card and ram with this combo. This combo will run all hd-dvd's (vga out and xbox 360 hd-dvd drive) currently without worrying about hardware acceleration. In the future you will just need to upgrade the vid card to an agp hdcp capable card.
 
Originally posted by: uo7
I just recently upgraded my htpc to an e6300. Fry's has the e6300 and ecs mATX p4m800pro-m mobo for $169-$179.00 can't remember which. You can keep your card and ram with this combo. This combo will run all hd-dvd's (vga out and xbox 360 hd-dvd drive) currently without worrying about hardware acceleration. In the future you will just need to upgrade the vid card to an agp hdcp capable card.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I guess I should also look for a good deal on such a combo. That will avoid issues with windows xp activation menace too.
 
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