HTPC - is Intel HD Graphics enough?

[nofarb]

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying this computer as HTPC:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops&a1=Category&v1=Slim+and+sleek&series_name=s5xt_series&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/Slim_and_sleek/s5xt_series

• Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 dual-core processor [3.3GHz, 3MB cache]
• 6GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs] from 4GB
• 500GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive
• Intel HD Graphics
• SuperMulti DVD Burner

is the graphic card enough? I'm going to use a 55" full HD tv.

there's an optional upgrade to:

* 512 MB AMD Radeon HD 7350 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
* 1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT520 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]

should I upgrade to something?

10x!

 

[jaguarskx]

Generally yes, but I recommend getting a Core i3-2125 which has the faster Intel HD 3000 graphic core to ensure the graphic core does not get bogged down. However, there are people who stated that you may notice slight stuttering when watching a movie. It seems there is some bug that causes anything with a frame rate of 23.972 to stutter from time to time. Not everyone notices it though. I believe Intel has stated that issue has been fixed in the upcoming Ivy Bridge Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs.

 

[nofarb]

thanks for your answer.

it's a 30$ upgrade to i3-2125 , won't it be better to pay 50$ and get the 512 MB AMD Radeon HD 7350 ?

(i know nothing on graphic cards, I assumed it's a better card...)

 

[jaguarskx]

As an alternative, you can buy a HTPC around AMD's Llano APU and the starting price is $50 cheaper. Llano have no such stuttering problems.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops&a1=Category&v1=Slim+and+sleek&a2=Processor&v2=AMD&series_name=s5z_series&a1=Category&v1=Slim+and+sleek&a2=Processor&v2=AMD&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/leftnav_processor_amd

Llano APUs have stronger integrated graphic cores than the Intel Core i3 CPUs. The tradeoff is the CPU core in Llano is weaker than in the Core i3 CPUs. However, for simply watching Blu-Rays the Llano APUs will be fine because the graphic core is doing most of the decoding.

If you ever plan to play games, then Llano APUs will give you better performance than the Core i3 CPUs. Just get one of the "higher end" Llano APUs which will have a faster CPU core and graphics core than the lowest end model for some possible light gaming in the future.

Just for comparison sake, the Intel HD 3000 is basically similar to the Radeon HD 5450 in terms of performance. Lowest model Llano APU has a graphic core that is a bit faster than the Radeon HD 5450. However, the highest end Llano APU's graphic core is a bit slower than the Radeon HD 5570. The Radeon HD 5570 is not really considered great for playing games.

 

[jaguarskx]

thanks for your answer.

it's a 30$ upgrade to i3-2125 , won't it be better to pay 50$ and get the 512 MB AMD Radeon HD 7350 ?

(i know nothing on graphic cards, I assumed it's a better card...)

Yeah, it should be better. But I recommend you read my above post about the HTPC built around AMD's Llano APU. In the end it is a less expensive option and you are not really giving much up if the most strenuous task is watching movies.

 

[nofarb]

I'm sorry , but I really don't understand most of your answer, all the models you mentioned means nothing to me... 🙂

I don't mind paying extra 50/100$ if that means I will not encounter any problems.

regarding games - the only game I care about is diablo 3 and I believe none of these cards going to be good enough for that. right?

If I go for the AMD comp, do I need to upgrade anything or just use the basic options.

10x again...

 

[jaguarskx]

I'm sorry , but I really don't understand most of your answer, all the models you mentioned means nothing to me... 🙂

That's okay, not everyone is as smart as me. But I do admit I need to drink 2 or 3 bottles of scotch to raise my IQ from 25 to 30.

Ahh... The miracles of alcohol...

Yeah, none of those card will be good enough for Diablo 3 to make it enjoyable; even the Radeon HD 7350. The AMD quad-core A6-3620 (lowest Llano APU choice for that HTPC) will be more than enough to play Blu-Ray movies without having to upgrade anything. If you plan on playing Diablo 3 on this HTPC, then that leads to some more discussion...