Good CPU for HTPC

[kbc]

Hi, Just wondering... what's a good recommended CPU for use in an HTPC. Doesn't have to be fantastic in gaming - just perform well in terms of viewing videos, playing a few basic games, responsive and so forth...

I was thinking of the following...

Intel Pentium 4 805 Dual Core "LGA775 Smithfield" 2.66GHz (533FSB) - Retail (CP-116-IN)

But the main thing is noise and heat... do these chips run hot and would I need a "loud" annoying fan for it (it's a cheap dual core CPU for its price)... as an HTPC is only worthwhile if it's quiet.

 

[NickR]

I use a A64 3000+ winnie in my HTPC with 1Gb RAM - copes fine and keeps cool using a Zalman CNPS 7000 AlCu on low fan revs (around 40C) (Case is an Antec Aria btw) so also fairly quiet

 

[Socaddict]

what about a mobile CPU? Much less heat and power than desktop chips.

 

[Mikey1280]

Those pentium Ds run pretty hot, I would go for an athlon 64 3000 undervolted and underclocked or a sempron if the cpu doesnt have to do much

 

[james.miller]

you dont need to undervolt or underclock an a64 to run in a htpc. even on the stock sink i was still managing 2.6ghz+ with an opteron in a silverstone lc03.

 

[squiffy]

I use a 3700+ AMD, runs 25 idle, 38 load (using Cool & Quiet) plays back MP3, OGG (be worried if it didn't!) AVI's and 1080P WMV at 55% CPU load (Nvidia 6150)
You don't need a dual core CPU.

 

[kbc]

Ah ok... well... if it were to be dual core - then it'll either be the Pentium mentioned or the more expensive 3800+. But it seems it might be worth looking at the single core chips? I'd like to use one of the Silverstone cases and a standard ATX board just to make things simpler.

This HTPC will be be replacing a VCR, DVD player, DVD recorder, DivX player, Karaoke player and so forth but would like to connect it up to an AMP and a cable box...

So as long as the CPU can manage that lot... I should be OK. Noise is a priority in this case... so a decent CPU with a low noise fan would be nice along with a passive graphics card? The 3700+ looks a good deal?

 

[kchakkar]

Wait until the 23rd May and get a AMD X2 3800+ AM2 - 35W version. They are designed for HTPC.

 

[kbc]

Wait until the 23rd May and get a AMD X2 3800+ AM2 - 35W version. They are designed for HTPC.

Yeps! I'm going to wait out a bit and see the new cores come out.