*Noob Question* - Old CPU as HTPC
#1
Question 
Is there any reason (outside of maybe noise/form factor) that an old desktop cpu wouldn't work as a htpc? There seem to be quite a bit for sale on places like Craigslist for less than a newer pure htpc build would cost. Things to look for in particular? Things to avoid?
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#2
What CPU?
>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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#3
I found this online for under $200:

motherboard: IPIBl-l8
CPU: core2quad 3.0 ghz 8 cores
RAM: 4GB DDR2
HDD: 2x 360gb Seagate
TV Tuner and Wifi card.

I'd want it to be able to serve as a DVR for antenna channels, and I'd want to add a bluray drive.
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#4
(2012-09-20, 22:15)YolkiZelyoni Wrote: I found this online for under $200:

motherboard: IPIBl-l8
CPU: core2quad 3.0 ghz 8 cores
RAM: 4GB DDR2
HDD: 2x 360gb Seagate
TV Tuner and Wifi card.

I'd want it to be able to serve as a DVR for antenna channels, and I'd want to add a bluray drive.
Install AMD HD6570 discrete GPU in it, and you'll have a very powerful HTPC.....

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
Reply
#5
core2quad is way more powerful than other cpus people are using for htpc, like e350.
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#6
Core2Quad does not have 8 cores. You need to fine out exactly what CPU it is. Craigs list is known for exaggerating specs. But if its a Q9650 3.0Mhz its worth $200 by itself. So something is fishy. Who know what it is

Anything short of a single core P4 will do. like BR said just add a new GPU with HDMI and your good. The newer the more power efficient they are. I even did a build with a P4 3.2 and a Nvidia 210. It worked and played 1080p but it was hot and loud. I mean noisy and it caused some electrical interference with my LCD some how. Probably the PSU.

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#7
I'm running on a 2.8Ghz P4 (Northwood) single core with 512MB of RAM. Works just fine for streaming off the web (Netflix, YouTube, Free Cable, etc), my ripped DVD collection, and my home movies.

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#8
(2012-09-21, 09:19)Jetster Wrote: Core2Quad does not have 8 cores. You need to fine out exactly what CPU it is. Craigs list is known for exaggerating specs. But if its a Q9650 3.0Mhz its worth $200 by itself. So something is fishy. Who know what it is

Anything short of a single core P4 will do. like BR said just add a new GPU with HDMI and your good. The newer the more power efficient they are. I even did a build with a P4 3.2 and a Nvidia 210. It worked and played 1080p but it was hot and loud. I mean noisy and it caused some electrical interference with my LCD some how. Probably the PSU.

You're right, that cpu has 4 cores

However, because of hyper-threading, certain applications recognize it as having 2x or 8 cores.
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#9
yes, but that doens't make it an 8 core preocessor.
Core i3s aren't quadcore-cpus either and some people don't consider amds FX as 8 core processors.

But that doensn't matter, anything clocked over 3Ghz single core or 2.4 dual should be fine, as long as you got hardware acceleration for Hd
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*Noob Question* - Old CPU as HTPC0