Building a HTPC and Video Editor

[sroorda]

I am building a new computer (it has been about 4 years) and I am out of the loop on the latest processor and other technology. I have built all of my own computers since I was 16 so I am no stranger to this. I have been doing some research but I would like to get an opinion on what I am trying to do.

The new machine will be primarily used for the following 2 purposes:
1. Streaming recorded shows, netflix, hulu, and other content to other DLNA devices in my house
2. Editing and playing back AVCHD video from my new HD camcorder (canon vixia HF100)

There will definitely be times I will be doing both at the same time and I need something that can handle that. From what I have read and understand about processor technology I should be able to do this with a quad core CPU. The 2 I have been looking at are:
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz ($225 on newegg)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 ($274.99 on newegg)

Does anyone have any recommendations of 1 over the other? Or maybe another I had not considered?

I have not researched any other components, so any motherboard recommendations would also be helpful.

 

[yomamafor1]

First of all, what is the total budget for the entire computer? Secondly, are you going to put the board inside a HTPC case (smaller), or a regular case (bigger)?

If you're going for a HTPC, then I highly recommend a mATX board because they're smaller, and this gives you a lot more options at selecting the right case. Aside from that, Intel is generally faster at encoding / decoding HD content, but AMD will be faster in other general areas.

Here are my motherboard recommendations:

1. Intel: ASUS P5N73-AM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131348

2. AMD: ASUS M3A78-EM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324


Personally I'll go for Intel, but that's just my personal preference. Hope these help.

 

[rwpritchett]

The PII 940 and the C2Q 9550 are pretty even in terms of performance and trade blows depending on the benchmark. Here are some benchmarks for video encoding that compare these and comparable CPU's:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/01/08/amd-phenom-ii-x4-940-and-920-review/9

Maybe you should wait until April 20th when AMD releases the Phenom II 955 @ 3.2GHz. That would give you more CPU horsepower and give you a better upgrade path since it will be an AM3 socket. Nevertheless, when the 955 comes out the price of the 940 should drop if you still want the 940.

For motherboards, look at good name brands (Asus, Gigabyte) using the 780G, 790GX, 8200, or 8300 chipsets. These onboard chipsets are able to handle high definition decoding.

 

[Wisecracker]

1) Sony (and Panasonic) established the AVCHD standard. I'll guess that your Can Cam will play nice with 'Sony' AVCHD so my first suggestion is to purchase a copy of Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. You just missed the 35%-off deal

Vegas uses MainConcept encoders which favor AMD processors - here are some benchies from Anand --->>
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?b=44

The rest is up to you and your budget.

The AMD Ph II 810 AM3 is $180 at the Egg and is comparable to the Q9550 in Vegas. The Ph II 940 AM2+ is $215 at ZZF and looks to be about 10% faster.

The Asus mobo above is a good 'un. I believe this G.Skill is on the Asus QVL list ---->>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033109&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033109-_-DesktopMemory-_-L0A-_-20231166

For an mATX it's hard to top the Gigabyte 780g - US2H --->>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128379


I 'heart' this Silverstone case ---->>
http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_spec.php?pno=LC13-E&area=usa

It's a monster but looks great in a component rack ....

 

[JohnnyLucky]

rwpritchett - thanks for posting the link to the video encoding benchmarks. I bookmarked it for future reference. The forum usually gets several inquiries a month about system requirements for video encoding.

I'll have to read the entire article when I get home from work.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

wisecracker - more reference material! thanks for posting.

nice case. what cpu heatsink are you using?

 

[Wisecracker]

wisecracker - more reference material! thanks for posting.

nice case. what cpu heatsink are you using?

I'm using the stock 'copper heat pipe' cooler w/ OCZ Freeze paste (it's actually more 'runny' than AS5). 3.6GHz on the PhII 940 (2.6GHz on a Phenom 9600 in that Sivlerstone case with the Gigabyte 780g) - stock volts on each - I haven't seen my temps over 45c.

I've got the PhII 940 on a MSI 790FX. The side panel is off most of the time but I've got some serious fannage in that rig so I'm not worried about the temps when it's closed up. I'm too busy (and lazy) to try and stretch the last 2-300MHz out of that proc ...

I don't do AVCHD (yet) but IIRC any version of Vegas (except the cheapest) will do AVCHD and AC3. I've got around 3Tb of HDTV *TP* files I'm converting before I invest in any more HD paraphernalia (but I sure would like a nice, new HD cam :lol: )

 

[sroorda]

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess it is not really going to be a true HTPC its going to be used to stream the content using PlayOn and Tversity as my media servers. I have a PS3 and a DSM-520 hooked up to my 2 HDTVs to receive the streamed content. The real horsepower is going to be needed for the AVCHD editing and playback.

I am partial to the AMD chipset as I have never built an Intel machine. As rwpritchett commented I think I will wait until the 955 comes out and see what the prices settle on.

My budget for this machine is about $800 but as with anything the lower the better that meets my needs. From the little research I have done I am pretty sure I can come in under that number rather easily. I need to do some more research on the motherboards as I need one that does HD decoding and I would prefer a built-in video card with dual monitor support.

The next thing I have to tackle is storage for all of this. I think a NAS might be a bit too expensive so I might just spring for 2 1 TB drives...

 

[JohnnyLucky]

If you can assemble an AMD based system, then you can assemble an Intel based system. It's still the same assembly process.

 

[sroorda]

Of course, my comment was only that I prefer AMD since I have always built AMD and unless there is a price/performance difference that is large I would rather stick with AMD since I have been very happy with my AMD machines in the past.

 

[sroorda]

Should I go 8 GB of RAM and if I do that I have to go 64 bit OS? Or would 4 GB be enough for editing AVCHD video and streaming content? It seems to me 4 should be enough.

 

[Wisecracker]

2x2Gb should be fine for your needs - a 64-bit OS will recognize the complete 4Gb.

 

[sroorda]

This is what I think I am going with, any comments or problems? Not sure about PSU, don't know the good brands there. Also need 2 find a good CPU fan.

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz - 214.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471

GIGABYTE GA-MA780G-UD3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX - 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128382

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit - 43.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231226

RAIDMAX APEX ATX-802B Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156074

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply - 59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner - 24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151171

WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Green WD5000AACS 500GB SATA II - 57.89
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010084

WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar® Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA II - 93.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10009901

Total about $626.63