Playing mp4 files - Intel core I3 3220 vs Celeron G1610

[PeterTaps]

Folks,

Background: I am building a budget HTPC. The only purpose of the PC is to run VLC and display mp4 files that have 20Mb bitrate. The system will run minimal Ubuntu - just enough to run VLC.

My motherboard will be ivy-bridge based mini ITX.

For the CPU, between Intel core I3 3220 and Celeron G1610, I am inclined towards the latter one primarily because of the cost difference. However, my concern is whether Celeron G1610 can keep up with 20Mb bitrate mp4 files. Last year, I tried to build Atom based HTPC but media playing was so jittery that I just gave up.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Peter

 

[Matt1970]

You should have no problems with that Celeron. Most of the Celerons lately are not like the ones 10 years ago. They will keep right up with the Pentiums.

 

[Charlie98]

My thought is you could split it down the middle with a Pentium... say a G2020. I have a G620 in my HTPC and I'm quite surprised at how well it does. Originally I debated between it and an i3, but I'm glad I saved the money.

That is not to say a Celeron isn't capable, either.

 

[lagokc]

The G1610 will be more than fast enough, if you're worried the Pentium G2020 is pretty quick as well for not much more. Another nice thing is that the Celerons and Pentiums may be advertised as "55W" TDP but they're typically even cooler than that thanks to low clock speeds.

Have you looked at Linux Mint with Cinnamon? IME it's pretty quick and a bit better than Ubuntu.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Most of the Celerons lately are not like the ones 10 years ago. They will keep right up with the Pentiums.

That is not to say a Celeron isn't capable, either.

The G1610 will be more than fast enough

You all got that right... 😉

My "mini" media centre is based on a Celeron G465 (SB single core with HT @ 1900MHz). When playing MP4/MKVs/bluray (yes that happens occasionally) the CPU load is somewhere between 10-15%. HD video is not that demanding for any recent (Nehalem/SB/IB) core. Especially with HW-acceleration. Just don't expect too much post-processing, the HD2000/2500 simply does not have the shader horsepower for that.

 

[PeterTaps]

Thank you all for your help.

Regards,
Peter

 

[garym]

The G1610 is a sweet little processor. I have done two builds with it so far and have been blown away with what this little guy can do. Save your money and buy the Celeron!

 

[gmaster456]

Today's ivy bridge celerons are more or less equal to the Core 2 Duos of yesteryear.

 

[mindless1]

Did the Atom build have an Intel IGP? If so I suspect that was the problem. G1610 + remotely modern nVidia or ATI GPU should leave plenty of margin, even underclocked/undervolted for less power and noise... maybe even with an Intel IGP today, supposedly they have this sorted out now.

You could save even more money though if you haven't bought the mainboard yet. An AM2 / AM3 platform with AMD 785 chipset or better, running an Athlon II x2 (eBay) should also do fine. Something like a used Athlon II x2 240e goes for a bit under $30 on eBay right now.