CPU vs GPU for 1080p and 3d blu ray
#1
So i want to build a mid to high end system. I don't want any stuttering in full 1080p playback and i want something that will support 3d blu rays. What is more important to spend money on a higher end CPU (sandy bridge i5-ish?) and cheapo GPU or even integrated vs lower end CPU (celeron-ish) and higher end GPU (7000 series radeon)?

Im going to use windows 7.

would something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814102994 with a 2nd gen i5 or i3 be enough horse power?

Thanks!
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#2
If you plan on using a dedicated GPU then anything over a sandy bridge Pentium is overkill IMO. With a SSD even the G530-550 is probably enough. I don't even think you need a dedicated GPU. The iGPU's from AMD and intel are fine for HD playback. Although for 3D you'll need HD 4000 which I believe is only on i3 and up.

If I were you I'd get an Ivy bridge Celeron or Pentium. You'd have to look at the price difference but one of the best GPUs for htpc is the GT640M. How that + a Celeron compares to an i3 with HD 4000 I'm not sure. I don't care for 3D so HD2000/2500 meets my needs fine.
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#3
well it seems like you dont need that much of a GPU ($50-$100) to drive blu ray and 3d blu ray so i'm leaning towards an i3 or celeron and something like that gt640 you mentioned. I guess i'm just wondering what would be best for playback a nice CPU or nice GPU.
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#4
For simplicity, power consumption, heat and noise I would go with an i3 w/ HD 4000 graphics over CPU + GPU. Since you apparently budgeted for an i5, if you find the playback performance isn't what you like you can then buy a graphics card. If you poke around the forum you'll see a lot of folks running set ups with the G530 Celeron and G620 Pentium. The iGPU is more than capable of playing back full 1080P blu ray rips and even ISO's without issue. I would imagine HD 4000 is much the same, but with 3D capability.
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#5
would something like
http://www.microcenter.com/product/38755...otherboard
and
http://www.microcenter.com/product/39800..._Processor

be capable of using the intel HD4000 graphics? microcenter has a bundle for $215 seems like a decent price.
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#6
That would be a sweet system. That is a very nice board. You could probably spend 1/2 that on a decent 1155 socket board with HDMI, but yes that combo would definitely get the job done.

Also if you are just doing xbmc playback you may want to check out the i3 NUC with hd4000. It's 299 on amazon. Add a mSATA drive and some ram. It is pretty quick. Has dual HDMI 1.4, USB, and inboard gigabit Ethernet.
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#7
For 3D, you need at least a desktop i3. 3D is not supported in desktop Celeron/Pentium.
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#8
(2013-03-20, 16:00)cobolstinks Wrote: would something like
http://www.microcenter.com/product/38755...otherboard
and
http://www.microcenter.com/product/39800..._Processor

be capable of using the intel HD4000 graphics? microcenter has a bundle for $215 seems like a decent price.
If you don't mind the ATX size for HTPC, it is a great choice.....

(2013-03-20, 16:04)Busenheimer Wrote: Also if you are just doing xbmc playback you may want to check out the i3 NUC with hd4000. It's 299 on amazon. Add a mSATA drive and some ram. It is pretty quick. Has dual HDMI 1.4, USB, and inboard gigabit Ethernet.
+1....it's probably the king of mobility HTPC....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#9
I don't think i will mind the full ATX size, cause it will sit next to my receiver (which is not small by any means), but it kinda limits my case options obviously.

I was looking at either:
http://www.amazon.com/Apevia-X-Master-De...s=nmediapc

Or
http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Tek-Al...stone+htpc
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#10
Silverstone looks more like a piece of AV gear IMO... Looks good. More $ though.
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#11
nMediaPC makes decent inexpensive AV-looking cases. Check out the 2000 or 6000.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811204032
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811204037

I have the 1000B for my living room HTPC. It matches my Onkyo receiver.
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#12
This thread got me thinking.

Is there any quality or performance difference when say using my G860 with or without my 6450 when bitstreaming HD audio and watching 1080p content?
XBMC specs: MINIX U9-H LibreELEC 4K all day

Home Theater - Samsung 65KS8000 - Denon 3200- Ascend Acoustics speakers - Maelstrom 18in sealed sub 7cu ft - Behringer EP2500

UNraid Server – Pentium G3258 – MSI - H81M-P33 – Antec HCG-400M PS - 8Gb RAM
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#13
(2013-03-20, 17:30)cobolstinks Wrote: I don't think i will mind the full ATX size, cause it will sit next to my receiver (which is not small by any means), but it kinda limits my case options obviously.
If you have room, larger case is always better. You'll more room to grow and better air flow too.....

(2013-03-20, 17:30)cobolstinks Wrote: http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Tek-Al...stone+htpc
From the look of it, this is a very nice case....


(2013-03-20, 18:42)joe_sun Wrote: Is there any quality or performance difference when say using my G860 with or without my 6450 when bitstreaming HD audio and watching 1080p content?
I uses both Intel and AMD GPU's, and I cannot tell any different in PQ/AQ with my eyes and ears.....if you are bitstreaming un-molested HD audio codec to AVR for decoding, GPU shouldn't have anyting to do with audio quality....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply
#14
(2013-03-20, 21:45)bluray Wrote:
(2013-03-20, 17:30)cobolstinks Wrote: I don't think i will mind the full ATX size, cause it will sit next to my receiver (which is not small by any means), but it kinda limits my case options obviously.
If you have room, larger case is always better. You'll more room to grow and better air flow too.....

(2013-03-20, 17:30)cobolstinks Wrote: http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Tek-Al...stone+htpc
From the look of it, this is a very nice case....


(2013-03-20, 18:42)joe_sun Wrote: Is there any quality or performance difference when say using my G860 with or without my 6450 when bitstreaming HD audio and watching 1080p content?
I uses both Intel and AMD GPU's, and I cannot tell any different in PQ/AQ with my eyes and ears.....if you are bitstreaming un-molested HD audio codec to AVR for decoding, GPU shouldn't have anyting to do with audio quality....

Right but I also ment in terms of CPU useage, menu speeds, Amazon plug in, etc

I had my 6450 from an old build so it didn't cost me anything, guess it's just costing me the extra electricity to run it.
XBMC specs: MINIX U9-H LibreELEC 4K all day

Home Theater - Samsung 65KS8000 - Denon 3200- Ascend Acoustics speakers - Maelstrom 18in sealed sub 7cu ft - Behringer EP2500

UNraid Server – Pentium G3258 – MSI - H81M-P33 – Antec HCG-400M PS - 8Gb RAM
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#15
(2013-03-20, 21:55)joe_sun Wrote: Right but I also ment in terms of CPU useage, menu speeds, Amazon plug in, etc
Menu navigation and streaming rely heavily on CPU....

(2013-03-20, 21:55)joe_sun Wrote: I had my 6450 from an old build so it didn't cost me anything, guess it's just costing me the extra electricity to run it.
If you have it, use it....I wouldn't worry about electricity consumption by using HD6450....
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply

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