Good value setup purely for encoding using x264?

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8 Feb 2008
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Hi there, been looking into a new CPU with encoding using x264 in mind. Was expecting that 8 core CPUs would have hit mainstream by now but they haven't and still only available by going Xeon route (no thanks, I like my wallet full).

Anyway,

I encode a lot of 1080p video and the program I use can distribute and encode over more than 1 machine by sending an encode to a target IP address on my network.

Basically after some thinking it would make much more sense to scrap the CPU idea and just put together a very basic setup purely for encoding, sharing the job with my current setup. In terms of bang for buck I'm thinking of basing it around a Sandybridge 2600K overclocked to 4.5Ghz-ish, 4GB RAM (pointless getting less based on price)....I'm a little unsure on the rest of it though, the ideal would be to have it in a case as small as possible but still allow enough room for a full sized tower cooler that will give best chance of a 4.5Ghz overclock.

On the other hand am considering a 6 core Sandybridge-E but finding it quite hard to weigh everything up in terms of PSU needed, as graphics would hopefully just be the onboard ones etc. So I'm asking if anyone would be kind enough to recommend the cheapest and best I can get taking into account this will be used for encoding video - alone - no games - no graphics - no nothing. :)

Thanks very much for any help or pointers in right direction, as for example I'm not sure how well those 6 core Sandybridge-Es clock to for example on average and they cost £400+ Vs £200+ for the 2600K...
 
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