Which chipset for P-4 Prescott (775 LGA)?

[Twitch22]

Hello all!

I have a Pentium 4 2.8 GHz Prescott, Processor Number 520, 1mb Cache 2, 800 FSB cpu. I am planning on using it in a HTPC/Media Center combo build. I have been looking at the Intel 915P chipset, specifically this Foxconn 915P7AC- 8KS board.

It looks like a decent enough board, but I am wondering if it's "current" enough when compared to what else is out there. IOW, is this board outdated and am I better going with a newer chipset? And if so, which one? I'm really looking for maxximum stability and a silent solution since this is going to go in my living room and will pretty much run 24/7.

Please feel free to name some specific brands and/or models...thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!

Twitch

 

[Peter]

Er, a Prescott in a silent solution? This does not compute, sorry.

 

[Twitch22]

LOL...I meant for the m/b. I hear you about the Prescott. I have a funny feeling that what I's going to end up with is a space heater rather than a HTPC! But, at any rate, still looking for any suggestions for what to pair this CPU with.

FWIW, here's the case and CPU cooler I'll be using for the build:

- nMediaPC HTPC 400SA w/Fortron 400 watt PSU
- nMediaPC Icecone CPU Fan/Heatsink

Thanks...

Twitch

 

[Peter]

If this media center is going to be about 2D media, then anything will do. 915 certainly will, and it's using considerably less power than more recent Intel chipsets (but still lots more than a contemporary SiS or VIA chipset does). But then the Prescott will be total overkill.
The rest is driver quality, which might bite you with high CPU load during DVD playback, video scaling or any such thing.

My own bedroom HTPC is a 1200 MHz Duron with integrated SiS graphics, and the worst thing I can do to it is DVD playback with software deinterlacing - and even with this it's twiddling its thumbs at 40% CPU load.

So, my #1 advice is: Don't overdo it. I'd even dare use something like this here:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-V21...89cc3363ed2237a8989b6555c31fa4b9ace5d8

Current chipset, solid drivers, good 2D acceleration, extremely low power processor. Power total for that board will be something like 30 watts under full load.