[Mini-ITX] Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz + HD2000 35W

bluray · 2012-04-17 00:02

(2012-04-16 23:29)Sdpbc Wrote: Cost aside, if one doesn't intend on gaming (ever) on their HTPC, is there an advantage at all the AMD A6-3500 chip with it's better GPU versus say this Intel chip? Seems the Intel chip would have more processing power based on CPU benchmarks.

Just curious if the GPU on the AMD makes a difference for anything other than gaming I guess? I.e., 1080p streaming, video editing, etc.

You can put it this way- A6-3500 and i3-2100T iGPU's are not for hardcore gaming. Botth iGPU's will play some lighter games. Both iGPU's is capable of playback 1080P and bitstreaming HD audio........here are complete tests of HD2000/HD3000 iGPU- The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested......

As I said, there is 35w all-in-one CPU that can top Intel i3-2100T.........it's insane that it can do everything with only 35w..........

(2012-04-16 23:56)tsp42 Wrote: OS: Mythbuntu 11.04

Have you try it with Windows 7 64-bit + XBMC?

Sdpbc · 2012-04-17 00:15

So the advantage is mainly cost (almost half) for the AMD I guess, while the i3 should stomp it from a processing power perspective (I think it rates higher than the A6-3600). I.e., if one plans on using the HTPC for video editing or other more intensive CPU tasks, I assume the i3 would perform much better.

Like the 35W spec, especially for something that one may want to keep on all day.

tsp42 · 2012-04-17 00:16

(2012-04-17 00:02)bluray Wrote:

(2012-04-16 23:56)tsp42 Wrote: OS: Mythbuntu 11.04
Have you try it with Windows 7 64-bit + XBMC?

No only linux due to lack of a proper filesystem for the storage (I use ZFS). I also use it as a MythTV backend, web server, VPN server and wireless access point in addition to a xbmc based HTPC. If only netflix and blu-ray support were better in linux but still impressive for a low power/cost system.

bluray · 2012-04-17 00:32

(2012-04-17 00:16)tsp42 Wrote:
(2012-04-17 00:02)bluray Wrote:

(2012-04-16 23:56)tsp42 Wrote: OS: Mythbuntu 11.04
Have you try it with Windows 7 64-bit + XBMC?
No only linux due to lack of a proper filesystem for the storage (I use ZFS). I also use it as a MythTV backend, web server, VPN server and wireless access point in addition to a xbmc based HTPC. If only netflix and blu-ray support were better in linux but still impressive for a low power/cost system.

My kids cannot live without Netflix HD streaming and RedBox blu-ray disc, and I have to be able to bitstreaming HD audio. Windows 7 is my only option to achieve it. If you ever want to try it with Windows 7, it is very cheap from here- Microsoft Windows 7.....