Need cpu advice - turning old pc into htpc

[nyfirefly11]

So here's the basics for my old rig:

P4 550 (3.4ghz @ 800fsb)
Asus p4ad2 premium
2 GB ddr2-600

I'm turning this into a htpc (upgrading my main system to i7), and I'm trying to figure out whether I leave the cpu in there, get a new p4, or upgrade the cpu/mobo. It's been going for 4.5 years, but it runs very hot (around 70C), and thus necessitates a high powered heatsink (which is loud).

Option 1: leave it, even though it's hot and loud
Option 2: get a new P4 and use the same mobo (which is great, but need a 90mm) - was thinking the P4 620, which I can get for $60
Option 3: get a cheap dual-core cpu ($50) and a cheap mobo ($60)

Any thoughts? Thx!

 

[Arkaign]

Get a new cooler for it with a big heatpipe heatsink and an 80 or 92mm fan that doesn't spin hard/noisy.

For HTPC, that cpu is fine for even 1080p provided you get a good video card for it. I recommend a 4650 or something to that effect.

 

[nyfirefly11]

I can't remember what heatsink I bought for it, but it's an aftermarket Thermaltake that at the time was good...but I'll look into a new one. Any suggestions on a good one of the top of your head?

Yeah, I was thinking a 4660/4550/9500 for it (running an x700 now).

 

[Arkaign]

Heatsinks have come a long way since the P4 era. I'd look into a heatpipe tower w/80 or 92mm fan. Rosewill makes them on the newegg site for not too much money.

 

[nyfirefly11]

hmm...maybe this guy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835186134

have I hurt the cpu running it so hot?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Rather than spend 60 on a heatsink, and more on a video card, I would spend the money on a cheap 780G mobo and AMD X2 low-power CPU. Shouldn't cost more than $160, including 4GB of DDR2-800 memory to go with it.

 

[nyfirefly11]

not a bad idea...but if I just did this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003 (xigmatek 1283 for $23 ar), and a cheap gpu, I'd be at $60. Wouldn't mind the low power amd, but I also need to buy a new case and a tv tuner card, plus the new i7 rig, so I'm trying to reuse as much as possible.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: nyfirefly11
hmm...maybe this guy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835186134

have I hurt the cpu running it so hot?

Probably not, if it still seems stable and fast enough. P4s weren't as bad as some people say they were. A 3.4Ghz P4 will run about like an Athlon 64 3000 or 3200+ in most things, and about on the 3400+ level in video encoding. It was just that the A64s overclocked a bit better and ran cooler. Sort of like how things are now, only reversed.

EDIT : That cooler should be fine, $28 and free shipping, and the only other addition you need is the video card.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Rather than spend 60 on a heatsink, and more on a video card, I would spend the money on a cheap 780G mobo and AMD X2 low-power CPU. Shouldn't cost more than $160, including 4GB of DDR2-800 memory to go with it.

That's not a bad plan, but this guy doesn't really need anything other than decent video playback, which should work out fine with the $28 shipped fan, and the ~$45 4550 video. He has an i7 on the way for primary duties.

 

[nyfirefly11]

perfect...off to get the 1283.