HTPC spec - A6-5400k or i3-3220?

saitrix · 5 Nov 2012 at 21:30

Hi,

I have a bit of dilemma, I am looking at a new htpc and I have found that both the A6-5400k and i3-3220 come out at the same costs as each other! This is due to the m-itx motherboards being so expensive for the AMD route.

I watch 1080p 10bit h264 which requires cpu so am I correct thinking the Intel route for me due to the extra cpu grunt? Also I won't be doing any gaming on it except for emulator based stuff, which I think is also cpu only?

The amount of heat either one gives off is very important to me too so that has to be a consideration there. So any opinions are welcome!

Edit - I imagine a 4gb 1600mhz kit is correct for the Intel and the AMD would want closer to 2000mhz?

Snax · 19 Nov 2012 at 09:17

I built an htpc with an (older) a6 and an ssd in it. It is awesome. It is lightening quick and plays everything i have thrown at it.

I am happy to test any files you want if that helps. Also i have no idea about heat because it is in an antect case in a small cabinet.

R088ieS86 · 19 Nov 2012 at 09:52

I'd be interested to see how the Llano's handle Hi10 files as they have a weaker CPU than the Intel options.

Snax do you have any 10bit 1080p files you could test for us?
I would say I would put one on my ftp for you to test, but I'd imagine that would be classed as file sharing :rolleyes:

Snax · 19 Nov 2012 at 20:34

urgh- i dont have any- I will go and have a search for one

Snax · 19 Nov 2012 at 22:06

http://web.hi10anime.com/ano-hana/

is this what you guys would like tested?

R088ieS86 · 20 Nov 2012 at 11:12

That should do fine, cheers

Snax · 20 Nov 2012 at 22:54

50% cpu usage on a 1080p file using madvr as renderer with mpc-hc. Butter smooth.

R088ieS86 · 21 Nov 2012 at 08:53

excellent

thanks very much for the test Snax.
Fingers crossed that means slightly lower usage, albeit not much, from the newer Trinity APUs.

Edit - Although becareful OP because AMD have cleverly change the A6 from a Quad to a Dual core between Llano and Trinity, so an A8 maybe better.

saitrix · 21 Nov 2012 at 12:15

Thanks for doing that Snax! Which A6 do you have as the A6-3500 is a triple core. I am a little bit worried about the cpu use though as that sample doesn't seem like the highest ever from the file size. Seems like the extra grunt of an Intel dual core could be helpful there.

Snax · 21 Nov 2012 at 14:19

It is a triple core CPU. I love it.

I don't think it uses 3 cores when decoding to be honest. I will check tonight. It just didn't break into a sweat when I played that anime. Super smooth and responsive.

If someone wants to link me a killer sample I will run it and report back

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 21 Nov 2012 at 16:46

The A6 5400K is a dual core,but single thread performance has gone up over a A6-3500 though. From comparing the Pentium G630 and A6-5400K reviews on TH with the common tests,I estimate single thread performance is similar to a G620 or G630 and multi-threaded performance is around G530 level I suspect. That is comfortably above the A6-3500 and moreover the IGP is only around 10% lower than a A8-3850.

malachi · 21 Nov 2012 at 22:53

Last week I upgraded both of my media centres. One uses the AMD A4-5300 and the other uses AMD A8-5600K Black Edition (used for light gaming downstairs)

Both play any HD movie and blu-rays at 1080 without any issues. Also Mame runs great on both of them even the 3D games such as Tekken and Soul Calibur run full speed.