[mythtv-users] CPU recommendation instead of EPIA?

[Nick Rosier]

I'm running an AMD Sempron 3100+ as front/backend combo. It's the same
core as the AMD64 minus 64bit extensions (don't need them) and has
Cool 'n Quiet. 95% of the time the CPU is running at 1GHz @ 1.1V. When
transcoding/commercial-detecting it switches to 1.8Ghz @ 1.4V. Enough
CPU-power for me.
I read somewhere that the CPU only uses 7 to 8 W when in low-power
which is nice on the electricity bill. Less energy = less heat so the
fans turn at a low speed so fairly quiet (you can hear the difference
when the box is transcoding :-) ).

For me this CPU had the best of all worlds:
- fairly inexpensive (when compared to latest Intel of AMD64)
- less power-hungry thanks to Cool 'n Quiet
- fairly quiet thanks to Cool 'n Quiet

Hope this information will help you.

N.

On 8/1/05, Craig Hagerman <craighagerman at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am planning on building a mythTV box and need a recommendation
> regarding CPU. My original plan was to build around a mini-itx EPIA
> system (EPIA M-10000 or M-12000). However, after reading through this
> board (and having a previous question answered) I think that I should
> consider another system. I am concerned about transcoding performance
> with the EPIA CPUs.
> 
> I plan to use this box only as a back end to record TV and transcode.
> I understand that with EPIA CPUs performance for transcoding is
> terrible. What kind of CPU would you recommend? I don't want to spend
> too much (otherwise, I wouldn't ask here - I would just go buy the
> lastest from AMD or Intel). Also, I would prefer to build a system
> that is:
> - less power-hungry (uses less electricity)
> - is fairly quiet
> - has a smaller form factor
> 
> This is why I originally planned a mini-itx system. I know it is a
> subjective question, but what kind of (AMD / INTEL) CPU provides the
> 'sweet spot' for price vs. performance (vis. a vis. transcoding)?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Craig
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