best processor for a Transcoding\storage system

[wannabedamned]

I know that rule of thumb at the moment is go for a sandybridge\ivybridge. But is that the case with regards to transcoding 1080p content?

I'm not looking for a gaming rig, this is literally going to be a small HTPC running windows 7, It will display directly to a TV using XBMC, and it will transcode content for Xbox 360 and PS3 in other rooms.

I'm looking at the phenom IIs, as I imagine 6 cores in full swing overclocked could do the job flawlessly and for a smaller cost, especially if I go fishing on the second hand market\MM.

No real budget, but I just dont want to be buying a 2500k, if it'll make zero difference to buying a 1055t\1090t\1100t at cheaper cost.

Keep in mind i'm not talking encoding here. So I'm not looking to covert a movie and time it. I just want to sit and watch a 1080p movie with zero buffering on the 360\PS3 regardless of its inital container\codec type

 

[Flashheart]

Dude, I used to do this flawlessy using an overclocked Pentium E2160 dual core back in the day.

I would think you won't have any issues with any modern quad + cpu

 

[SeraphX]

don't even need quad cores tbh
I used to transcode stuff for playback via PS3 on my old MBP with a core 2 duo chip, always worked fine

 

[wannabedamned]

Well thats good to know.

My rips are straight bluray rips, I like the MKV containers as they work great, with 5.1 codecs and x264. Unfortunately not the case with consoles.

I rip to keep max quality and bitrate, so I usually end up with about a 15-20gb file size. I can imagine that would be a stress on an older chip, So may pick up a phenom 2 anyways, I mean they're a steal price wise now second hand.

I just wanted to make sure they would cope, and if old C2D's are capable, I'm sure a Nice phenom would be.

I've probably missed the 1100t i saw on members market the other day now though

I just wanted to make sure it would be capable of on the fly transcoding, or whether there was a cheap option.

You think the older chips, C2D could handle Rips of the size I'm talking about? I have an 805D in my "stuff" drawer

 

[SeraphX]

yup i had a couple of BD rips, both at 1080p weighing in at 10Gb or so a piece and it worked just fine with transcoding, both MKV too.

if you already have a AM2 AM3 board, dual or tri core will do a perfectly adequate job, it really isn't worth laying out for a hex core, apart from proper encoding.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Look at the 95W Phenom II X6 1045T.

Edit!!

Read the OP again - an Athlon II X3 would probably be fine.