HTPC needs a faster CPU. AMD is confusing.

[Rilot]

I've got an HTPC that I built a year or so ago but I'm finding that both cores of it's CPU are maxed when decoding 1080p video. I'm also getting the odd frame drop because of it.

These are it's specs:
Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Gigabyte GA-VA69VM-S2 - http://www.giga-byte.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2500
2GB Corsair XMS2
Blueray/HD-DVD combo
nVidia 8500 with passive cooler
Couple of DVB-S cards
Twin tuner DVB-T card

All running Windows 7 RC.

So, I figure I need to upgrade the CPU. No OCing ability with the mobo unfortunately.
What can I use? The Gigabyte support site seems to think I can use AM2+ and AM3 CPUs in it but with lower HT speeds. Is this true? How bad will the performance drop be?
Or, should I just bin the mobo and buy a nice Core2 mobo and CPU?

 

[siumatfung]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-246-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

and

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-194-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1274

 

[Rilot]

Why do I want a better video card?

 

[DreXeL]

Why do I want a better video card?

You don't, my £25 HD3450 copes just fine with 1080p (E6300 @ 3.0ghz).

 

[siumatfung]

Why do I want a better video card?

sorry it was just a suggestion:LD but that cpu should be fine

 

[Sparky__H]

what codec are you using for the h.264 decoding?

 

[siumatfung]

shopto.net it is 32£ but u get quidco and erm it took them 30secs to send me the code via SMS

 

[Rilot]

what codec are you using for the h.264 decoding?

Well, I installed a codec pack so I'm not entirely sure.
It's possible that the codec I'm using doesn't support GPU accelleration.
Can you suggest one?

shopto.net it is 32£ but u get quidco and erm it took them 30secs to send me the code via SMS

Huh?

 

[Sparky__H]

Try CoreAVC. That's what I use to decode h.264 (BD video format).

Your HTPC spec is very similar to my own and should be more then capable.