Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
On a related topic, how does one best balance the number of cores v. clock speed? I'll let Ken handle the AMD vs. intel thing since I'm not up the latest details there. In cores vs clock speed, additional cores will only be of use to software that is designed to take advantage of it. Some tasks are better parallelized (i.e. split into chunks that can be run simultaneously on mulitple cores) than others. Since computing power has been moving, in earnest, in a multi-core direction for about 3 years (on the consumer end of things, anyway), more an more developers are (or should be) taking this into account when they write their software. Ideally, you should know if the software you'll be running is written to take advantage of multi-cores before you make the call on which chip to get. Since we live in the real world, I'd say put a slightly higher priority on the clock speed at this point.
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
Thank you, gentlemen. That is helpful.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
As a further note, I have a Core 2 Quad Q9400 (2.66GHz). I'll never go back... It's very, very quick at normal operations.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
I have one Core 2 duo E6725(?)and one system running an AMD dual core of equivalent specs. The AMD system just seems to be faster than the Intel box, it boots up about 5 seconds faster and everything else just feels quicker, could just be me.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
Well, we really don't do gaming, so based on Peter's comment, I'm questioning the value of quad-cores. They also seem to demand quite a bit more power, and we typically just leave everything on. I'm trying to find a way to be "happy" with less than a E8400 (which I have in another machine, and am happy with).
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
If you don't mess with the BIOS, I think generally all of the modern quads power down cores. I know the Core i7s do, and I'm pretty sure the Phenom IIs do, but I'm not certain about the Core 2 Quads.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 117
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 117 |
I'm running my HTPC with a E6300(?) dual core and it runs fine playing 1080p content, bluray/hddvd rom drive plays HD content fine as well. As long as you're not re encoding videos or other intensive tasks while you're trying to play your movie you should be good to go... also running with a ATI 3870 graphics card. don't forget the CPU is important but you need to factor in a good video & sound card too!... having said that Quad core would likely make you more future proof when they come out with 5090p & super duper quad HDDDD DTS sound...
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
4 GB is overkill if you're just using Windows XP. To save some cash I would recommend going to 2 GB, or spending around the same amount on better quality RAM.
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
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Re: Looking into HTPC...general question.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
Good advice, Cam! Thank you!
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