Which intel CPU for media centre ? Help.

[Meridiusuk]

Hi all I hope you can help.

I am going to build a media centre pc and I was wanting to be able to play every single video format out there including 1080p mkv files and blu-ray.

The other thing is I want it to be silent as possable so I was looking at the 45nm CPU, the intel E7400 chip would this be the chip to buy to play every single video format with ease.

I don't want a chip that can just manage it but not over the top to just somthing that will run it without a sweat but also not to get to hot so it's still sillent.

Going to get a ati gfx card to but I am going for a passive cooler so no fans on it but what motherboard should I be looking at ?

Thanks for any help

 

[RJC]

I use the E2220 chip on mine which plays blu-ray without a problem, so in my mind the E7400 will be fine

 

[alex24]

The E5200 with its high multiplier is very popular as it is easily overclocked if more power is needed, and a fairly sweet spot for price/performance.

 

[Meridiusuk]

its just the lg blu-ray player spec said min was the e6500 ?

and i want to make sure i can play the most demanding movie files like that hard pushed 1080pmkv files as even my 3.6 single core prescott can not play them

 

[OzZie]

Your old CPU is not even close to the performance of even the lowest core2 series (1.6ghz is the slowest iirc).

I'd also go for an E5200/E5300, and see how low you can get the volts/noise

 

[Meridiusuk]

so will these chips play 1080p mkv files E5300 and above ?

 

[PistolPete]

I've got a E5200 in mine, all stock, and I can play 1080p MKVs on the onboard video card no problems whatsoever

 

[kppanic]

Even my E2180 stock played 1080p mkv fine. 

 

[Meridiusuk]

are the dual core cpus noise levels low as my prescott sounds like a jet becasue hese chips where very hot. what are the new chips like is it ok to use stock fan or a better one or is the stock silent ?