A Intel Core i3 2100T or a Intel Core i3 2120 for HTPC Help

[Meridiusuk]

Hi all

which chip should i go for to run xbmx windows 7 for very very high bitrate blu rays and mkvs the Intel Core i3 2100T or a Intel Core i3 2120 for a HTPC build.

i know one runs at 35w and the other at 65w but is there any difference ?

the price of the Intel Core i3 2100T 2.5ghz is £8 more than the Intel Core i3 2120 3.3ghz asht 2120 is on offer at the moment.

i dont know which to go for as i dont want any droped frames at all would there be much difference in heat and keeping them both cool and quiet.

thanks

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I have a Core i3 2100 but I would really consider waiting for the 65W Llano A8-3800 when it is released. The AMD IGP will be better at decoding video.

 

[Meridiusuk]

cheers but wanted to know about the 2 chips i am after as i need this build in a weeks time

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

cheers but wanted to know about the 2 chips i am after as i need this build in a weeks time

I would probably get the Core i3 2120 and undervolt it a bit.

 

[mmj_uk]

If power consumption is your main concern then the 2100T, otherwise I would go with the i3 2105 over the 2120... the cpu itself may be slightly slower but it has the HD3000 IGP and I think most video playback is GPU assisted nowadays?

 

[Meridiusuk]

the power is not the concern its keeping it quiet as possable and i was woundering if there would be much difference between the 2 ?

i already bought a ati hd 6570 passive gfx card.

 

[Meridiusuk]

just thought i would share this

there seems to be very littile difference in the chip and not only that if you underclock the 3.3 to 2.5 the same as the T version it has the same W apart from prime test

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=20523711&postcount=1473

I can get the 3.3 for £10 cheaper than the T version at the moment and get 800mgz more for backup and if i wanted the same W i can underclock it to be the same as the T chip Apart if i wwant to run prime all day which i dont , lol

 

[EniGmA1981]

As said, get the more powerful CPU, underclock it (with lower vCore naturally) and that should run cooler than the 2100T at stock volts - therefore it should be the quieter choice when it comes to cooling