choosing a low power cpu+mb w/ integrated

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bbzidane
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choosing a low power cpu+mb w/ integrated

Post by bbzidane » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:17 am

hi all

i got the bug for wanting an upgrade
i can probably live without it but im just itching for new hardware

i have most of the parts figured out but still on a hunt for a low power cpu+mb w/ integrated gfx

the system is mainly for playing hd video and some downloading of vids (i currently find playing 1080i mpeg2 vid with high cpu usage (~100)

choosen hw

ram: 4 x 2GB
fan: 2 noctua 120mm
usb: 3 (kb/mouse/iphone)
hdd: 2 western digital 2TB (i can probably do 1 if need be)
p/s: picopsu (need to look up what power adapter i have)

current cpu/mb: gigabyte 780g with amd be2300

any idea what cpu/mb will suit my power consumption


thanks

Klusu
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Post by Klusu » Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:55 am

780G the best

bbzidane
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Post by bbzidane » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:32 pm

Klusu wrote:780G the best
so you are saying that there is no intel or nvidia equivalent integrated graphics that is comparable?


if so, what new amd process has the same power consumption profile as a be2300?

AlexNC
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Post by AlexNC » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:47 pm

why not go the new 330 Atom/ION dual core route? Especially now that Adobe has announced GPU acceleration support.

Greg F.
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Post by Greg F. » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:35 pm

The op wants to play video and the Atom has a difficult time with Flash video.
The nividia 9300 is going away, likely due to the fact that the 775 cpu is going away. That is too bad as I think that is a good chipset. Handles Linux and has Pure Video, etc. But they are usually considerably more expensive.
I think the 785 would be preferable to the 780. Just newer and might unlock a cpu's cores, if you are into that thing.
I don't know anything about the Intel G31 or G41, but I am considering a G41 for a new Linux build. I don't know if the Intel video compares in quality to Nvidia or AMD. but they run on low wattage and do well with Linux. So I am told.
Clarkdale is going to be about US$300 for the cheapest processor and then another 100 for the board.
If any of this is wrong please let me know for as I stated I am contemplating a build, too.

psiu
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Post by psiu » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:58 pm

Are you getting (it should be I think) hw acceleration from the 780g? Seems like it should be helping with that--could it be a driver/codec issue?

I'll try to find the posts I made with some power/cpu% numbers this year.

psiu
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Post by psiu » Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:17 pm

viewtopic.php?p=462885&highlight=#462885

I tested some 720p video playback there with both 780G and HD4670.

bbzidane
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Post by bbzidane » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:45 pm

when playing h264 vids, the hardware acceleration kicks in and the cpu usage is really low.
it is only when playing 1080i mpeg2 vids that i have issues. not sure why this is. im using microsoft's mpeg2 codec that comes with vista, which according to most supports hardware acceleration, though im not really seeing it kick in.

i remember reading about intel G31/G41 uses more power as a motherboard/gfx combo when compared to 780G. and i rarely see people suggesting the intel chipset when asking to build a low power system, usually amd is suggested

Klusu
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Re: choosing a low power cpu+mb w/ integrated

Post by Klusu » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:34 pm

bbzidane wrote:...i can probably live without it ...
Exactly.
Try another decoder. But I think be2300 should be able to play mpeg2 with any decoder.
5050e would be a little better. Buy an Athlon II or Phenom II, if you must and if your MB supports, but the power draw may go up.

JamieG
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Post by JamieG » Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:40 pm

bbzidane wrote:when playing h264 vids, the hardware acceleration kicks in and the cpu usage is really low.
it is only when playing 1080i mpeg2 vids that i have issues. not sure why this is. im using microsoft's mpeg2 codec that comes with vista, which according to most supports hardware acceleration, though im not really seeing it kick in.

i remember reading about intel G31/G41 uses more power as a motherboard/gfx combo when compared to 780G. and i rarely see people suggesting the intel chipset when asking to build a low power system, usually amd is suggested
<off topic>
If you check out the results from SPCR's motherboard reviews of recent AMD, Intel G35 and Intel G45, you can see that in stock configurations with a low power CPU, Intel is actually a little ahead on power usage.
</off topic>

Anyway, it seems a little strange that the OP is only having problems with playing 1080i back. I've had no problems playing back HD video of any sort with the 4850e and Gigabyte 780G combination in my HTPC or even my underclocked E5200 and G31 general use PC.

I'd try downloading a codec pack first. I've used the klite codec pack (google it) in the past with good results.

Oh, and 4 x 2GB sticks of RAM is excessive for a general use / HD video playing PC. 4GB total would be fine.

You'll have to watch what ampere rating your power brick has - a 5A (=60W) brick wasn't enough to support my 4850e + 780G combo.

ghitz
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Post by ghitz » Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:45 pm

Klusu wrote:780G the best
YES I second 780g chipset boards. I just got burned with a Gigabyte 785g motherboard only to find out it needs 8 pin power connector and my Antec Earthwatts 380 does not have such connection...I know there are adapters but it's such a hassle. I'm back to 780g board.

loimlo
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Post by loimlo » Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:53 pm

ghitz wrote:
Klusu wrote:780G the best
YES I second 780g chipset boards. I just got burned with a Gigabyte 785g motherboard only to find out it needs 8 pin power connector and my Antec Earthwatts 380 does not have such connection...I know there are adapters but it's such a hassle. I'm back to 780g board.
I think it's more of a Gigabyte's design issue than a general 785G bug. Nevertheless, I'd still get a 780G board for its lower price and rich features -- features that meet most users' demands. 78xG, coupled with X2 240, will make an energy-efficient, decent performance, and fairly low price platform for video playback and download usage. Just my 2 cents anyway.

Klusu
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Post by Klusu » Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:05 pm

ghitz wrote: it needs 8 pin power connector
Did you try with 4 pin?
I have a board with 8 pin and a PSU with 4 pin.
If the CPU is like 140W, then yes, 4 pin may be not enough.

jackylman
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Post by jackylman » Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:18 pm

Based on this: http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3615&p=3 , I would go with a 785G board with DDR3 and sideport memory.

barefootzero
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Post by barefootzero » Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:52 am

In defense of 785g I like my MSI 756gm-e65 pretty well. As long as your system doesn't need more then one fan or you are willing to get a fan controller its great. Unlike some other boards this one allows undervolting while still using C'n'Q.

I guess some people with special needs might go with something with integrated wifi or something which might mean 780g. 780g is cheaper as well.

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