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Thread ID: 61305	2005-08-31 06:09:00	Pentium D 3.0Ghz Dual core vs AMD 64 3800+ for HTPC	ephesus (2509)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
384944	2005-08-31 06:09:00	I am putting together a specification for a HTPC to be built in the near future. I have initially decided on the Pentium D 3.0GHz Dual Core with the AsusP5LD2 mobo. However on reading reviews on Pentium CPUS, I am starting to think if going with Pentium D (or any Pentium) is the right choice for a HTPC. Should I consider the AMD 64 3800+ 2.4GHz ? They are both around the same pricing but which is the best value for money??? Comments and feedbacks appreciated.	ephesus (2509)
384945	2005-08-31 08:39:00	Why do you need such a powerful cpu if its a HTPC? What are you going to be using the HTPC for specifically? (watching dvds,recording tv programmes,music jukebox,games.....) What are the rest of the system specs?	memphis (2869)
384946	2005-08-31 09:35:00	Is it really that powerful - I suppose I am just trying to buy the best technology available within budget. Yes basically just hooking it to my home theatre and plasma TV for general entertainment in the lounge..watching dvds, recording tv programmes - mostly, music jukebox, games - not much, wireless internet etc. Rest of the proposed system. 1 gig Corsair DDR2 PC5300 dual channel RAM Hauppaage PVR 500-MCE dual Tuner Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Extreme Seagate 250GB SATA Dual Layer DVD - possiblly ASUS DRW 1608P (good review on PCworld) Netgear Wireless PCI adapter Windows XP MCE - when available Microsoft MCE keyboard Case - yet to be decided. Quite like the Mcube HFX or D-Vine MCE-601. NOT sure if I need a fanless CPU cooling device or stick with what's with the CPU - heat and noise if one of my concern :(	ephesus (2509)
384947	2005-08-31 10:22:00	Intel are in catch up mode as far as dual core goes and probably will be for some time.	Murray P (44)
384948	2005-08-31 10:44:00	do you think the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2Ghz is a better alternative? :horrified	ephesus (2509)
384949	2005-08-31 11:52:00	AMD is doing really well at this stage in the game and I would go with them. HSF I would get a Zalman or Thermalright for the CPU,good quite coolers. ;) Get a fan controller to control the case fans (to make them quite). Motherboard get one that has a passive heatsink on the northbridge (no fan,or get a Zalman northbridge heatsink and put that on to replace the northbridge hsf.(check the clerance room with your graphics card before doing this mod. thats why its better the mb has a passive hs in the first place as they will have made sure of the clerance with graphics cards.) Use rounded IDE cables they provide better airflow and a tidy case interior and use cable ties to tie them in the case interior out of the way of the airflow or bend them behind the drive bay cages. Heat is more of a issure if you have a small case as all the components that produce heat are closer to each other and the heat build up from them should be expelled from the case in the most efficient way possible. Another consideration is the PSU,can you put any PSU in the case you buy or will the case only fit the one it comes with (HTPC cases I am talking about). The PSU should be a well known quality brand PSU with either a fan controller on the back of it or thermale controlled fan/fans. Check the wattage and the amps on the rails and get atx v2.0 and sleeved cables as well and 120mm fans/fan. :)	memphis (2869)
384950	2005-08-31 11:55:00	Geez... bit of a waste of money for an HTPC. Personally, why don't you consider a modded X-Box hooked up to a grunty file server in another room? Spend your money on the hard drives as opposed to a high end CPU, etc. Lo.	Lohsing (219)
384951	2005-08-31 12:14:00	Geez... bit of a waste of money for an HTPC. Personally, why don't you consider a modded X-Box hooked up to a grunty file server in another room? Spend your money on the hard drives as opposed to a high end CPU, etc. Lo. BIG Boys toys really...going to hook it up to my 50" plasma and Bose home theatre system. :D Thanks memphis for your comments. Will be using a full ATX case so it will not be cramped. Have used the Zalman on my current Prescot 3.2 but still find it a bit noisy. Had the fan controller on full just in case the CPU overheats. The Asus mobo has a "stackcool" option which effectively transfers heat to the underside - not sure how effective this will be but I quite like the idea. Does this contradict the idea of a heat sink on the CPU? Will take into consideration of the PSU - From memory the PSU comes with the case, only 250W - definitely not enough.	ephesus (2509)
384952	2005-08-31 12:21:00	Fair enough. To be honest though, I'm running an X-Box with the audio optical out, etc into a Pioneer AX-5i into my 5.1 Kef system (12" Polk Sub) and do consider myself a bit of a home theatre geek! My next upgrade is going to be an LCD projector... ceiling mounted, etc... Like you, I was going to build a multipurpose high def HTPC, but having a modified X-Box networked to a file-server ended up working out best. I still think you should consider that path, otherwise you will forever be wondering about issues such as the soundcard, the DVD player, etc. If you ARE stuck on the idea of using a PC, then you need to consider water cooling everything. It will be basically silent! Passively cooled PSU's are available (Thermaltake do one off the top of my head)... fan-less case, etc... The DVD tray will be the noisiest item in your PC. Best of luck! Lo.	Lohsing (219)
384953	2005-08-31 12:27:00	I grabbed myself another xbox,hooked her up to my projector and my altec lansing speakers. Kicking myself,its speed of operation,visual and audio out-put and interface are crapola. Still, I knew this beforehand. Once again I am getting rid of an xbox, One day maybe I will learn. Only had the current one half an hour before deciding to ditch it.....	Metla (12)
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