HTPC AMD cpu choice

[Iain1974]

Which processor would be a good choice for a htpc?

It seems the $88 5000BE would be a sensible choice but there are lower powered chips. I'm also moderately impressed with the Phenom's and would consider an X3 or x4 9150 so long as the heat wasn't excessive.

I'm settled on a micro 780G (or 790G) board to go into an Antec Minuet case so a full size cooler is out of the question.

I'd likely be supplementing the igp with a 3450 or perhaps a 4450 card.

Would a dual core be sufficient for HD viewing? Vista is hungry so perhaps X4/X3 makes more sense?

 

[runswindows95]

With the 780G, Tom's ran a Blu-ray DVD smoothly with a Sempron:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-780g-chipset,1785-3.html

My advice would be this 45w CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255

 

[Iain1974]

Thankyou. That chip seems a fine choice.

I'd read the article you linked to but had wondered if it was looking at lowest cost solutions. I'm amazed a Sempron will handle HD. The old A64 3200 might have squeezed by on a better board.

One further question, will adding a supplemental video card further reduce the work load on the processor?