Decent proccesor for streaming HD online with HDMI to HDTV

[pllee]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to build at the lowest price possible a cheep PC that I will use to stream HD shows from Hulu for example to my 40" 1080p HDTV. I was wondering if you guys knew a decent processor and video card requirements to do that. I wound't be running games or normal computer apps on it all I would be doing is streaming movies from online and from my computers in my network. So I guess price is really important to me I want to know the barebones processor and graphics cards then maybe take it a step up from there.

Thanks in advance.

Patrick

 

[gkay09]

^ You dont need a separate graphics card at all to do those tasks...The onboard video that comes with AMD chips is more than suffice to take care of the streaming...

Check out this config if you will do only only streaming HD...
CPU + Mobo
AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254106

RAM
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163

Total - $124

It is more than suffice for your requirements...And if you require more CPU power, then just Turn ON the ACC on the mobo,...It would unlock the 2nd core on that Sempron making it an Athlon X2 240

 

[Guest]

I would say any AMD Dual-Core over 2.4Ghz which I have. A 250$ PC would be more than enought. Make sure to get an HDMI motherboard.

Hers a suggestion:

hxxp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157162 84.99$ Motherboard with HDMI

hxxp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687 66.00$ 2.9Ghz AMD Dualcore 45nm

hxxp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220255 27.99$ 2x1GB DDR2 Patriot cooled.

Any power supply should work but if you want a quality psu get this:

hxxp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703017 49.99$

Will you use a lot of disk space? 1080p eats space like crazy my 500gb is nearly full lol

 

[Guest]

Unlocking the other core is not guaranteed tought.

 

[gkay09]

EDIT : Dint refresh...
But if you dont want to change any settings or anything, then get this CPU along with the mobo and RAM...
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

And just a note...I have not gone with AM3 socket because it would require DDR3 RAM and would slightly increase the cost of the overall PC though it is the way to go if you are considering a better upgrade path...But you wont notice any performance increase though...

If you want to go AM3, then
Mobo - Any of these...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157168

RAM
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148194

 

[daggs]

^ You dont need a separate graphics card at all to do those tasks...The onboard video that comes with AMD chips is more than suffice to take care of the streaming...

Check out this config if you will do only only streaming HD...
CPU + Mobo
AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254106

RAM
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163

Total - $124

It is more than suffice for your requirements...And if you require more CPU power, then just Turn ON the ACC on the mobo,...It would unlock the 2nd core on that Sempron making it an Athlon X2 240

+1
OT: I thought the Athlon X2 240 is a crippled phenom X4... am I wrong?

 

[pllee]

Thanks a lot guys I really appreciate it. Disk space isn't really important because I will be streaming from other computers in my network with bigger HDs. I am kind of new to this and looking to get better. Do the motherboards come with video cards or do I have to buy a separate one. I am assuming they don't come so which one would you recommend?

 

[Guest]

It comes with a video card so you dont need one.

 

[gkay09]

EDIT -
@Daggs No, the X2 240 and the phenoms are different cores...
The X2 550 and the X3 720 are the crippled Phenom II X4...
And the 7750/ 7850 are the crippled Phenom I X4...

 

[gkay09]

@pllee that is what I had said in my 1st post...
The onboard video chipsets that come with those boards can easily handle 1080p streaming without any issues whatsoever...

So you dont have to worry about adding another graphics card for just 1080p streaming...But might want to add those if you want to game...

 

[pllee]

Man you guys are awesome! Gaming is not a big deal so the card with the motherboard will do fine. While your at it would you recommend any dvd drives(burner is not nessary) or any cheep cases?

 

[gkay09]

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031

DVD burner for $10 more...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

CASE - This would be a good case as it can be placed horizontally or vertically...
COOLER MASTER Elite 360 RC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119195

Or choose any cheapo case...

As for PSU, the one that elie3000 suggested is good...But if you include in rebates, then this would be better...
Corsair 400CX
$49.99
($29.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card )
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

 

[gkay09]

@elie3000, you can post working links here...

 

[pllee]

Wow you guys are something else you couldn't have been of anymore help. I got everything I need to know now. I'll let you guys know how it turns out Kudos to all.