2012-08-23, 19:35
I may be wrong, but I think the G540 is just the updated/upgraded version of the G530. Very similar, but it has a 2.5 GHz frequency as compared to the 2.4 GHz for the G530, otherwise they are like the exact same. And it looks like you already found a purhcase option for the G540.
The G540/530 series only has the HD1000 as the iGPU, so I'm not sure if that would affect your decision to change CPUs. I'm doing a very similar HTPC build; I'm going to use the G540 + a discrete GPU, to easily handle any HD videos. I'm not suggesting the G540 isn't capable alone, since I don't really know myself - although I heard people comment on the iGPU of the G540/G620 (same iGPU) being able to handle 1080p content - I am just buying a discrete because I'm cautious. Here is a topic, created by the user Assassin, with videos showing the performance of the G620 when handling XBMC link.
Another suggestion someone gave me is to first purchase the CPU and if you aren't happy with the iGPU, then purchase a discrete GPU. If you are interested in doing something similar, like buying a discrete GPU, and are going to keep that case, you need to look out for "half-height" or "low profile" GPUs due to the dimensions of the case.
The G540/530 series only has the HD1000 as the iGPU, so I'm not sure if that would affect your decision to change CPUs. I'm doing a very similar HTPC build; I'm going to use the G540 + a discrete GPU, to easily handle any HD videos. I'm not suggesting the G540 isn't capable alone, since I don't really know myself - although I heard people comment on the iGPU of the G540/G620 (same iGPU) being able to handle 1080p content - I am just buying a discrete because I'm cautious. Here is a topic, created by the user Assassin, with videos showing the performance of the G620 when handling XBMC link.
Another suggestion someone gave me is to first purchase the CPU and if you aren't happy with the iGPU, then purchase a discrete GPU. If you are interested in doing something similar, like buying a discrete GPU, and are going to keep that case, you need to look out for "half-height" or "low profile" GPUs due to the dimensions of the case.
