Intel Atom

alanw8555 · 4 Sep 2010 at 11:30

Hi All
I would like some help please....
I would like to build a new media centre and would like to use the Intel atom either n330 or d510 itx dual core motherboard and processor. I would like to ask if I was to add a graphics card with hdmi would it be capable of playing 1080p blu-ray and maybe the likes of hd youtube videos etc or would it stutter bad.
I have been looking at the Zotac ion n330 and d510 with nvidia graphics built in and they seem capable. But Intel do their own with the Intel chipset which is unable to cope alone.
All help and advise welcome
thanks again
Alan

celliott · 4 Sep 2010 at 11:47

If you get one with an ION chipset, 1080p should be fine.

Intel's 945GC chip can't handle anything above 720p

Most boards only have a PCI slot, no PCI-E so not sure how you would add an extra card?

alanw8555 · 4 Sep 2010 at 17:24

I have been looking around and it seems that the nvidia ion is only in either Zotac, Asus or POV. the Zotac seems to be better but cant decide on either the n330f-e or the d510

k3v · 4 Sep 2010 at 20:03

Iirc the 330 is better than the 510.

Barbaradavid · 6 Sep 2010 at 05:53

This processors enable a broad range of devices including netbooks, entry-level desktops, tablets, smartphones, and other companion devices, well it has many integrate features such as controllers for memory, graphics, video, and display for a host of new applications that deliver flexibility and innovation.

eddiew · 6 Sep 2010 at 13:26

Bear in mind that the Ion based boards were designed for media usage - their onboard graphics handles 1080p playback just fine, and in benchmarks fares better than the D510s. The Zotac (at least) has HDMI built in, so you won't need a separate graphics card.

Here's Anandtech's thoughts on the Zotac 330 with blu ray: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2765/3 - not a dropped frame

timciren · 7 Sep 2010 at 17:04

My Asus 1201netbook with dual core and 330 plays 1080 fine , but the POV single core netbook I bought struggled so I had to give it to my wife. I reckon you want a dual core for media, if you record tv and watch something else at the same time. Will you need to save the PCI for a Tv card ?

Cycrow · 7 Sep 2010 at 17:46

timciren said:
My Asus 1201netbook with dual core and 330 plays 1080 fine , but the POV single core netbook I bought struggled so I had to give it to my wife. I reckon you want a dual core for media, if you record tv and watch something else at the same time. Will you need to save the PCI for a Tv card ?

the processor doesn't matter if your using the GPU.
thats y the Ions are good, as they can do 1080p playback without needing the cpu