HTPC CPU Question

[BBB3000]

I am building my HTPC and trying to decide on the CPU. Any thoughts on the Intel Pentium Dual-Core G620T vs. the Intel i3-2100? There is about a $40 difference and I'm not sure if it makes a difference. I currently have the i3-2100 for another Desktop and couldn't be happier with it.

[adam1991]

I'm extremely happy with my i3.

what exactly will your HTPC be doing? Recording TV? Processing recorded TV? Decoding/playing movies--and in what format?

[BBB3000]

record tv (3 tuners max), playing live tv, playing recorded tv.

I don't have any ripped movies yet, so maybe ill get into that later, but that wont be the main use.

[adam1991]

Well, I always plan for the future...$40 to me doesn't seem like a stretch to help future-proof the thing.

If you're going to do any commercial skip processing, give it some oomph.

[thomtom]

Agree with Adam. Strech that extra $40 and you should be a bit more futureproofed in case you ever want to start ripping/encoding films.

I have a desktop with an old Core2Quad and a laptop with an i3 both are brilliant, if I was to build an HTPC right now it would be based on an i3.
i3 are good on power consumption as well so you should be able to keep things fairly quiet depending on the rest of the stup.

[BBB3000]

You guys made some good points, I'll go with the i3. I have experience with the Intel motherboards, but was considering the Foxconn motherboard for this HTPC. Any glaring reasons I should not use this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813186211

[adam1991]

Can't speak to that mobo, but I loves me my Intel DH55 board. Then again, I have simple needs--plus, I bought it off Ebay new w/out box for $50...

[newfiend]

I agree with the rest of the comments. $40 isn't much of a stretch for the added hp. With a PC there is nothing more frustrating than having a machine that won't do something you want it to do. As you get into the HTPC a bit more you'll find that ripping movies and converting files to other formats happens more often than you might think. Also commercial skipping software can come into play as well. Then you may want to add an extended or 3.. Maybe not now but you can see where this is heading..right? I built my HTPC with a quad core CPU a couple years ago and everyone said it was overkill..but glad I did. The extra hp has come in handy a few times especially during file conversions.
newfiend

Sent from my SGH-i937 using Board Express

[LuckyDay]

I have an i3 and a G620 on two different systems. Performance as it relates to HD viewing and recording in WMC7 is identical.

I would however recommend the 2105 over the 2100 if you go with the i3. The 2105 includes the HD 3000 integrated graphics instead of the 2000, which is a nice step up.

[BBB3000]

What is the difference b/w the graphics?

[LuckyDay]

Just a boost in performance, especially in 3D applications like games. Really depends on if you'll be planning on using the Intel graphics or even doing anything else than just HTPC stuff on the PC.

If you're not planning on gaming or doing anything with 3D in it, you shouldn't worry about it much. I use my living room HTPC for light gaming in addition to watching TV, so the 2105 was worth it to me.

[WarrenH]

If you go with intel HD3000 then 3d works fine