Need some AMD 64 help??...

[tfunk02]

I'm a newbie, so I'm sorry if I ask any stupid questions...

I plan to use my computer as a home theater PC. I will be playing many DVD's including the Windows Media HD DVD's (I already have T2).
I will play some games, but play more on my xbox then on my computer.
I will also do some video editing on the computer.

I have a ATI AIW 9700 Pro video card. Everything else is up in the air.

Are the AMD's good for home theater PC's? Do they play windows media HD well?

Also what's the difference between these two 64's?
64 3200+
64 Opteron Model 146

Should I get the old ClawHammer core or the NewCastle core?

Hopefully that's not too much. Thanks for any replies!!

-TFunk

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Forget the Opteron, just grab a A64 3000+.

 

[Avalon]

When he said home theatre PC and video encoding, Intel came to mind before AMD did. AMD is typically better for games, while Intel is typically better for audio/video encoding and other multimedia type stuff. Just depends on what you'd prefer. A chip that will play your games a bit better (AMD) or a chip that will encode a bit faster for you (Intel). You could probably go either way and not go wrong, since you do a bit of both.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Avalon
When he said home theatre PC and video encoding, Intel came to mind before AMD did. AMD is typically better for games, while Intel is typically better for audio/video encoding and other multimedia type stuff. Just depends on what you'd prefer. A chip that will play your games a bit better (AMD) or a chip that will encode a bit faster for you (Intel). You could probably go either way and not go wrong, since you do a bit of both.

I agree with everything you said, but you've forgotten one thing: the A64's have "Cool & Quiet", which allows them to run at a lower speed when you don't need full speed. That's perfect for an HTPC, since quiet is a good thing with an HTPC.

 

[tfunk02]

Yes, quiet is very good, but performance is key.

Can somebody with a 64 3000+ and a decent video card (mines an ATI AIW 9700 Pro) go to the windows site, download a 1080p movie and tell me if it is perfect and smooth on your computer?

Windows Media High Definition Trailers...

My old 2100+ can't even come close to handling it and is at 100% on the 720p movies.
If a 64 3000+ can handle a 1080p movie well then I think that will be the chip for me, otherwise I will be looking at the P4 3.0 or 3.2.

Thanks for the info so far!