AMD E1-1200 streaming video and NFL Highlights

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J

JCHavlik

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May 18, 2013
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10,510
I bought a Gateway machine with an AMD E1 1200 chip to hook up to my TV so I could watch movies, Netflix, stream sport events, and watch highlights. I tried upgrading the RAM to 6GBs and got no real improvement in performance, but here's my question: would I get any improved function from adding a video card or would that be a waste of money because of the CPU bottlenecking the speed of the system as a whole?

I obviously should have bought a higher powered machine, but I didn't, so I'm hoping $50 will get the performance to where I need it to be.
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

Splendid
Jan 15, 2007
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Are you having an issue with video playback?

The UVD should off-load utilization of the CPU, and you should have few issues. In reality, your CPU should not budge much beyond idle.

If you are 'pegging' your CPU during video playback, the hardware acceleration of the UVD is not working correctly. In the past the only media player (that I'm aware of) that had an issue with the UVD was SilverLight. My understanding is the most recent version of the SilverLight player is better but I don't use it (so I don't know).

It is important that your video drivers are current. You should also enable the AMD codecs in the media player(s) that you use.

Spend your cash on an SSD. A new video card is unlikely to offer more performance than the UVD.

 
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J

JCHavlik

Honorable
May 18, 2013
6
0
10,510


1. Yes and no on playback problems netflix or youtube work ok unless I have the HD enabled. If I'm playing a movie every once in awhile it'll have an issue, but for the more part DVDs play good. Sports highlights play like crap from both NFL and NHL league sites

2. The CPU will show at max when a video starts and usually come down to 50% when a youtube video plays (unless it's in HD)

3. I'll check the drivers, I'm not sure what AMD codecs are exactly so I'll read up on it...

4. So a SSD would likely boost video playback? I've never had a SSD before, I'll check prices.
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

Splendid
Jan 15, 2007
8,106
17
31,965
An SSD is more for overall system performance.

If you use the Catalyst installer and CCC, the "Codec Package" should be automatically installed --- just be sure it's enabled.

What video format does the NFL/NHL use ? Verify that the format can utilize hardware acceleration.

I hate to venture a guess, but I suspect it has something to do with SilverLight.

 
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