Mediacenter CPU advice

[Khrest]

I want to build a Mediacenter on a budget but I am unsure how much horsepower I need for decoding DVD and video from HD.

I am looking at an Abit IP-95 board and would like advice on the cheapest processor that will get me going.

Would I need to look at Core2Duo such as
Intel Core 2 Duo E2140 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail

or would a Celeron get me through for half the price?
Intel Celeron D 326 2.53GHz (LGA775) - Retail

TIA

 

[Vicar]

I want to build a Mediacenter on a budget but I am unsure how much horsepower I need for decoding DVD and video from HD.

I am looking at an Abit IP-95 board and would like advice on the cheapest processor that will get me going.

Would I need to look at Core2Duo such as
Intel Core 2 Duo E2140 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail

or would a Celeron get me through for half the price?
Intel Celeron D 326 2.53GHz (LGA775) - Retail

TIA

If your doing decoding and looking for saaving masses of time, go with the Core 2 Duo m8.... even that c2d chip will destroy a celeron hands down....

Regards

Vic

 

[Vertigo]

Go with the C2D.

If you're looking at decoding HD, look into getting one of the latest generation of cards which has hardware assistance for this.

 

[lay-z-boy]

E2140 all the way, decimates the celeron for speed, power consumption and heat output.

 

[BassPunk]

with the new generation of cards doing all the HD decoding you dont need a powerfull CPU anymore

 

[squiffy]

Any dual core CPU will be sufficient.

 

[jigger]

The new conroe based celeron-L mignt be worth a look, it should be avalible anytime now,


http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/conroe-l-preview.html