HTPC/ Small quiet PC for sale? - Page 2

Matblack · 28-08-2007, 12:39

Its a good point Stan

I'm not sure what I want really, the encoding isn't really encoding its more decoding i.e. PARing and WinZiping files back together to DVD ISOs.

I'd also like to be able to upscale video and post process before shoving it to the projector, however the quietness of the system remains a priority.

This is all very confusing

I'd really LIKE a quad core, but do I NEED a quad core, as I probably don't NEED to sell and upgrade the answer is probably no.

I'm going to have a look on the net and see what people are using for HTPCs at the moment and I'll get back to you ASAP

MB

Stan_Lite · 28-08-2007, 12:41

No hurry dude, I'll be stuck on this bloody rig for another 3 1/2 weeks anyway so I'm not in a hurry for anything

Mark · 28-08-2007, 13:01

PARing and WinZipping won't benefit from quad core (or even dual core for that matter).

Upscaling might but it seems unlikely - it depends on the software. Multi-threaded encoders (e.g. DivX Pro 6) do exist, but are rare, but I've not found a multi-threaded upscaler yet (ffdshow definitely doesn't qualify).

Of course, if you're doing more than one of these things (watching while there's downloads going on in the background), then you'll still benefit from at least a Core2Duo, so long as you have the disk bandwidth to avoid the whole lot grinding to a halt.

If quietness is a priority, then you're unlikely to go far wrong with a Core2Duo and a decent (i.e. big) cooler.

Stan_Lite · 28-08-2007, 14:18

One of the first things I did when I got the E6600 was to try to use it all so I set about encoding 2 DVDs at the same time, whilst listening to music and browsing the forums. I managed to pretty much max out both cores (also one of the few times, until I got Vista, that I managed to use over 1Gb RAM at one time

For multitasking, multiple cores are a Godsend.

Davey_Pitch · 28-08-2007, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstan

For multitasking, multiple cores are a Godsend.

Given that I've just ordered a Core2Duo, and I often play games and watch something at the same time, those are the type of comments I love to hear

28-08-2007, 12:39	#11
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Its a good point Stan I'm not sure what I want really, the encoding isn't really encoding its more decoding i.e. PARing and WinZiping files back together to DVD ISOs. I'd also like to be able to upscale video and post process before shoving it to the projector, however the quietness of the system remains a priority. This is all very confusing I'd really LIKE a quad core, but do I NEED a quad core, as I probably don't NEED to sell and upgrade the answer is probably no. I'm going to have a look on the net and see what people are using for HTPCs at the moment and I'll get back to you ASAP MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

28-08-2007, 12:41	#12
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	No hurry dude, I'll be stuck on this bloody rig for another 3 1/2 weeks anyway so I'm not in a hurry for anything __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

28-08-2007, 13:01	#13
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	PARing and WinZipping won't benefit from quad core (or even dual core for that matter). Upscaling might but it seems unlikely - it depends on the software. Multi-threaded encoders (e.g. DivX Pro 6) do exist, but are rare, but I've not found a multi-threaded upscaler yet (ffdshow definitely doesn't qualify). Of course, if you're doing more than one of these things (watching while there's downloads going on in the background), then you'll still benefit from at least a Core2Duo, so long as you have the disk bandwidth to avoid the whole lot grinding to a halt. If quietness is a priority, then you're unlikely to go far wrong with a Core2Duo and a decent (i.e. big) cooler. Last edited by Mark; 28-08-2007 at 13:06.

28-08-2007, 14:18	#14
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	One of the first things I did when I got the E6600 was to try to use it all so I set about encoding 2 DVDs at the same time, whilst listening to music and browsing the forums. I managed to pretty much max out both cores (also one of the few times, until I got Vista, that I managed to use over 1Gb RAM at one time For multitasking, multiple cores are a Godsend. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...