What CPU for video playback is best

[imagn]

I am plannning on building a new system an am trying to go low power. what processor would be better for video playback. I am looking to maximize my dollars and the most power possible with lower watt CPU

item 1: 1.8GH AMD Qaud core (65Watt)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Item number 2:AMD Athlon II X2 3.0 GH, (65 Watt)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Thanks any suggestions would be appreciated

[Reddwarf]

I'm running the Athlon-64 X2 3.0GHz on two gbpvr machines, and it is more than sufficient, both has been very stable too. So if it is a matter of price you can safely settle with this one.

[imagn]

thanks

I will most likely go with that there is really not much price difference between the 2 but i think for video playback faster processor is going to be better even if its just 2 cores not 4

[Reddwarf]

You'r right about that, 4 cores don't work four times faster than one, it can just do (almost) four jobs the same time one core does one job. So a faster cpu is to prefer, but two cores is required, else playback will be interrupted every time windows itself needs the cpu for something.

[whurlston]

Which graphics card/chip will you be using? That could have an impact, for example, ATI 3xxx/4xxx cards give much better performance with HT 3.0 processors.

[imagn]

Which graphics card/chip will you be using? That could have an impact, for example, ATI 3xxx/4xxx cards give much better performance with HT 3.0 processors.

And there begins the next debate so to speak, i was planning on going with at 785G with onboard D4200 (I have a 790G with HD3300 working), but i have been reading a lot and am not sure whether to get a descrete ATI 4650, i want a as silent as possible computer, and the case i will use only have a 270 watt PSU so i am not sure a discrete card will work. I am hoping the onboard works well. We shall see

[Reddwarf]

To tell you my experience, I have been running an EAH3450 (from ASUS) for a year and have been quite satisfied with it. Recently I decided to build a backup-htpc for the living room and bought an EAH4350, and I must really say I'm impressed with its performance, no sign of tearing or lagging in any render even with HD in four windows simultanously. Of cource it matters what decoder you use, I have so far used the Cyberlink decoder from Terratec that came with the capture card.

[imagn]

I dont think thats going to work for me as i watch mostly HD mpeg 2 for North America, and although i think the card could, after my experience with my first HTPC, with onbaord, i am looking for something that is assured to work, so i think it miht be over kill but i will probably go with the 4650, well i am going to try the onboard first, and hope and pray it works out, then move to the 4650 if needed.

I'll also be using win 7 so hoping the drivers will be up tp date for the card and win 7, i have had issues with ati and my onbaord HD3300 when testing with win 7.