So I'm looking at changing my HTPC around, and I'd like a good balance of performance and power savings, just like everybody else.
Here's where I'm having trouble. The system is mainly our HTPC, recording OTA hi-def, re-encoding video and the like, and it's also an occasional gaming machine for my girlfriend (Sims 2 right now, but in Sims 3 in the summer). There's two big options that I'm looking at, and they each have their advantages:
1) Hybrid Power with a GeFore 8200/8300 or 750a/780a. I like this option so we can have graphics powerful enough to run Sims 3 at 1920x1200 (the res of our future display, right now it's 1680x1050), and when we're just using the TV portions, it would turn off the discreet card.
2) MSI DIVA, with AMD Maui. The built-in amp intrigues me, and I do have some really nice speakers to attach to it (although I have a decent set attached to the current HTPC). This option would be fine if people think the 780M it would play Sims 3 at 19x12, or if somebody can recommend a discreet card with really low idle power.
The only other thing is I'd like to run a Phenom II, but it doesn't seem as if the DIVA supports it, does anybody know? I wouldn't mind getting a low power X2 to tide me over until there's a BIOS update. I have found a good 8200 that does support Phenom II.
Thanks in advance.
Here's where I'm having trouble. The system is mainly our HTPC, recording OTA hi-def, re-encoding video and the like, and it's also an occasional gaming machine for my girlfriend (Sims 2 right now, but in Sims 3 in the summer). There's two big options that I'm looking at, and they each have their advantages:
1) Hybrid Power with a GeFore 8200/8300 or 750a/780a. I like this option so we can have graphics powerful enough to run Sims 3 at 1920x1200 (the res of our future display, right now it's 1680x1050), and when we're just using the TV portions, it would turn off the discreet card.
2) MSI DIVA, with AMD Maui. The built-in amp intrigues me, and I do have some really nice speakers to attach to it (although I have a decent set attached to the current HTPC). This option would be fine if people think the 780M it would play Sims 3 at 19x12, or if somebody can recommend a discreet card with really low idle power.
The only other thing is I'd like to run a Phenom II, but it doesn't seem as if the DIVA supports it, does anybody know? I wouldn't mind getting a low power X2 to tide me over until there's a BIOS update. I have found a good 8200 that does support Phenom II.
Thanks in advance.
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