My media pc for the last 3 years has been the following;
Abit AN-M2
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ @2.0ghz
1gb RAM
Radeon 3400 gfx
It has done okay but I have to be careful with the bitrates on mkv files; 720p stuff plays fine, some 1080p works but most stutters. Now I have started streaming media to my PS3 I have the same problem in that most of my stuff plays, but I cant stream full 1080p at high quality without stutters.
Analysis reveals it is the processor maxing out that appears to be halting the playback, the network never goes over 50% utilization (100meg Cat6). I always thought it was the basic Radeon causing it, but the streaming problem probably proves its the CPU.
What sort of build (CPU, RAM, MB, COOLER, PSU) could I achieve for around the £200 mark (less if possible!) that would handle 'everything'? I dont need the case (have a large Antec desktop case that looks okay under the TV), OS (will go to Windows 7) or any drives (1.5tb already present), but I would like a new, quiet economical power supply that can run 24/7. The cooling also needs to be quiet as a mouse wearing carpet slippers!
Abit AN-M2
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ @2.0ghz
1gb RAM
Radeon 3400 gfx
It has done okay but I have to be careful with the bitrates on mkv files; 720p stuff plays fine, some 1080p works but most stutters. Now I have started streaming media to my PS3 I have the same problem in that most of my stuff plays, but I cant stream full 1080p at high quality without stutters.
Analysis reveals it is the processor maxing out that appears to be halting the playback, the network never goes over 50% utilization (100meg Cat6). I always thought it was the basic Radeon causing it, but the streaming problem probably proves its the CPU.
What sort of build (CPU, RAM, MB, COOLER, PSU) could I achieve for around the £200 mark (less if possible!) that would handle 'everything'? I dont need the case (have a large Antec desktop case that looks okay under the TV), OS (will go to Windows 7) or any drives (1.5tb already present), but I would like a new, quiet economical power supply that can run 24/7. The cooling also needs to be quiet as a mouse wearing carpet slippers!
