CPU for HTPC use

Xuestor · Post by **Xuestor** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:04 am

Hello!

I'm building a HTPC, and have a Intel C2D 6850 lying around. I was wondering if that one will run hotter than a E5200? Those are pretty cheap, but if it doesnt make a difference tempwise, I dont see a reason for putting out cash for it. as far as I see, it uses the same wattage, 65W?

Shamgar · Post by **Shamgar** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:59 am

Specifications comparison: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 vs Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200

On Power:
Manufacturing Process 65 nm vs 45 nm
No deep sleep mode vs Deep/deeper sleep modes
Max. core Voltage 1.5 V vs 1.3625 V
Min. power dissipation 8 W same
Max. power dissipation 105.15 W vs 98.89 W
TDP 65 W same

On Performance:
Frequency 3000 MHz vs 2500 MHz
Bus Speed 1333 MHz (333x4) vs 800 MHz (200x4)
L2 Cache 4 MB vs 2 MB
Virtualization and Trusted Execution Technologies vs N/A

C2D E6850 is better performing processor all around, albeit at expense of running slightly hotter. It has benefit of VT which E5200 does not have. E5200 is popular because of very cheap price for Intel dual core and for well known overclocking potential.

Unless you want to keep E6850 for a main PC separate from HTPC use, then I suggest you to keep it and use it instead of spending money on a new CPU. E6850 can be kept reasonably cool with good performing LGA775 heatsink. Heatsink choices depend on what other hardware you intend to use and what case will house it.

croddie · Post by **croddie** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:57 am

Shamgar wrote:Manufacturing Process 65 nm vs 45 nm
No deep sleep mode vs Deep/deeper sleep modes
Max. core Voltage 1.5 V vs 1.3625 V
Min. power dissipation 8 W same
Max. power dissipation 105.15 W vs 98.89 W
TDP 65 W same

If I remember E5200 is <<5W idle, hard to measure, and about 20W at full load.
Definitely will run cooler than a 65nm processor but if you can cool the old processor quietly then keep it.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:36 pm

If you plan using you're E6850 then you need good motherboard. If you need to change Processor and motherboard I recomend AMD due its cheaper and AMD chipset's are extremely capable for HTPC as you can do anything from light gaming to playing HD content with integrated graphics.

If you keep your Intel E6850 pairing it with G43 motherboard might be sound choice or older G31/33 board which are fairly cheap and pairing it with low-end Ati / nVidia gaphics card ( HD 4350, GF8400gs ) would offer more power and HD decoding features which are poor at least G31/33 board.

Xuestor · Post by **Xuestor** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:23 pm

I'm planning to use a mATX Intel G45 motherboard, hope that will be enough for HD-playback. I'm gonna use a pci soundcard and the video-output has to be HDMI.

I've been looking at the Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H.

Shamgar · Post by **Shamgar** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:02 pm

croddie wrote:
Shamgar wrote:Manufacturing Process 65 nm vs 45 nm
No deep sleep mode vs Deep/deeper sleep modes
Max. core Voltage 1.5 V vs 1.3625 V
Min. power dissipation 8 W same
Max. power dissipation 105.15 W vs 98.89 W
TDP 65 W same
If I remember E5200 is <<5W idle, hard to measure, and about 20W at full load.
Definitely will run cooler than a 65nm processor but if you can cool the old processor quietly then keep it.

Power dissipation and actual power consumption are different things as far as I'm aware (feel free to correct me). I'm just quoting the spec'sheet, so don't shoot the messenger.

Xuestor wrote:I'm planning to use a mATX Intel G45 motherboard, hope that will be enough for HD-playback. I'm gonna use a pci soundcard and the video-output has to be HDMI.

I've been looking at the Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H.

G45 is a good solid chipset, albeit onboard GPU is not as good performing as ATI and Nvidia's in same bracket. Price for G45 is usually dearer too. But if you are happy with staying with Intel, it will do the job well for you. Also consider the ASUS P5Q-EM along with the Gigabyte. If the price works out to be too high with all things considered, it may be good to look at other options as well.

Xuestor · Post by **Xuestor** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:48 am

Shamgar wrote:
croddie wrote:
Shamgar wrote:Manufacturing Process 65 nm vs 45 nm
No deep sleep mode vs Deep/deeper sleep modes
Max. core Voltage 1.5 V vs 1.3625 V
Min. power dissipation 8 W same
Max. power dissipation 105.15 W vs 98.89 W
TDP 65 W same
If I remember E5200 is <<5W idle, hard to measure, and about 20W at full load.
Definitely will run cooler than a 65nm processor but if you can cool the old processor quietly then keep it.
Power dissipation and actual power consumption are different things as far as I'm aware (feel free to correct me). I'm just quoting the spec'sheet, so don't shoot the messenger.

Xuestor wrote:I'm planning to use a mATX Intel G45 motherboard, hope that will be enough for HD-playback. I'm gonna use a pci soundcard and the video-output has to be HDMI.

I've been looking at the Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H.
G45 is a good solid chipset, albeit onboard GPU is not as good performing as ATI and Nvidia's in same bracket. Price for G45 is usually dearer too. But if you are happy with staying with Intel, it will do the job well for you. Also consider the ASUS P5Q-EM along with the Gigabyte. If the price works out to be too high with all things considered, it may be good to look at other options as well.

So, if going for a AMD combo, what would your pick be? criterias are hmdi output and one pci slot. I'm really lost in this jungle

EDIT: mATX is the only option cause of the tight fit in my tv-bench.

croddie · Post by **croddie** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:40 am

Xuestor wrote:So, if going for a AMD combo, what would your pick be? criterias are hmdi output and one pci slot. I'm really lost in this jungle

EDIT: mATX is the only option cause of the tight fit in my tv-bench.

For AMD I'd go for a 780G/785G microatx or mini-itx motherboard, and a new 45nm X2 240.