Direct competition for AMD 4850e

[dereksbelanger]

Hey everyone,

For its trivial power consumption, tiny cost, low low temperature and reasonable performance I think the AMD 4850e is a great HTPC CPU. In fact, I'm having a hard time finding an alternative CPU that is a direct competitor on all these key points!

That said, AM3 and Phenom II offer newer technology for providing performance and energy conservation. Will this platform usurp the 4850e in the HTPC CPU arena? If so, when will it be available?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[loneninja]

The new Athlon X2 chips based on the K10 45nm won't be available until June. Unlike the current X2 7750 they are suppose to be true duel cores rather than a crippled quad.

 

[someguy7]

That is a fine cpu no doubt. Just dont count out the Intel dual core chips. They have a higher thermal rating or whatever you wanna call it (65w compared to 45w). But keep in mind that they done use 65w. I think even the e8600 at max load is still under 65w. A e5200 will fall well under 65w also.

Keep that in mind. If you are really concerned about power usage. Look around for detailed power usages for systems with the cpus. Idle power usage/max load usage. Which one is more efficient and so on.

Again the AMD is a great chip for the htpc. All I'm saying is dont just go buy the thermal rating of 65w vs 45w. The AMD board will most consume less power and has better IGP if you want to use them instead of seperate card. Thats the type of stuff you should consider when building a machine. Againt not that stupid rating. Its just like a talking point in the poltical world

 

[Dekasav]

AMD's 780G is really the winner for HTPC builds. A 4850e is a great CPU to pair with it. Low cost, low power, should be quiet, and will decode blu-ray.

 

[amdfangirl]

That is a fine cpu no doubt. Just dont count out the Intel dual core chips. They have a higher thermal rating or whatever you wanna call it (65w compared to 45w). But keep in mind that they done use 65w. I think even the e8600 at max load is still under 65w. A e5200 will fall well under 65w also.

Keep that in mind. If you are really concerned about power usage. Look around for detailed power usages for systems with the cpus. Idle power usage/max load usage. Which one is more efficient and so on.

Again the AMD is a great chip for the htpc. All I'm saying is dont just go buy the thermal rating of 65w vs 45w. The AMD board will most consume less power and has better IGP if you want to use them instead of seperate card. Thats the type of stuff you should consider when building a machine. Againt not that stupid rating. Its just like a talking point in the poltical world

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 + Geforce 9400 chipset.

That's what it takes to beat the AMD Athlon X2 4850e + 780G platform. That is if you don't mind paying alot more for your HTPC.

 

[dereksbelanger]

Why use 780G instead of 790GX? Price? You can buy a decent 790GX MB for $99

...and since we've opened the topic of chipsets...

Which 780G and/or 790GX MBs do you guys like best for HTPC?

Thanks again!

 

[amdfangirl]

Most cheap 790GXs are ATX except a few more expensive Crossfire boards. 780G boards on the other hand...

 

[Dekasav]

780G is micro-ATX more often, and you can get a decent one for $79. It'll fully decode 1080p blu-ray, what more could you possibly want?

 

[someguy7]

I agree without a doubt that the AMD is the way to go for HTPC.

I was just saying dont base your choice on the rated power of a cpu. For a low power build or a HTPC

 

[amdfangirl]

If anyone wanted a low-power build they's probably end up with a Sempron LE and a 740G chipset.

 

[accord99]

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 + Geforce 9400 chipset.

That's what it takes to beat the AMD Athlon X2 4850e + 780G platform. That is if you don't mind paying alot more for your HTPC.

There's no need for a E7000 series CPU, which is faster than the fastest AMD dual-core and uses less power than the 4850e. A Pentium E2200 and Nvidia 9300 MB would beat the 4850e +780G platform for HTPC. So would the E2200 and G45 if gaming isn't important.

 

[someguy7]

The sempron would be a low power build. But it would be a complete piece of crap. The ONLY reason for AMD HTPC is its chipsets/igp's. The Intel dual cores beat AMD's in everything. Speed,power,efficiency...

 

[dereksbelanger]

So far "accord99's" comments seem to be the best because I can find benchmarks that back him up (more or less).

It seems the 4850e + 780G and E2200 + G45 are very similar in performance, power, thermal output and cost - each having small advantages/disadvantages when compared to the other, with the AMD being a little more well rounded.

I havnt found any good comparitive data for Nvidia 9300 VS 780G/79GX.