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G630 vs G850 vs i3 // XBMC vs WMC

post #1 of 11
3/18/13 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
Three questions:

1 - For ripped blu-rays (lossless) 1080p + bitstream audio, does it matter which CPU between the G630, the G850 and the i3?

2 - I am debating on just going Openelec/Linux XBMC or WMC on Windows 7. Is there an simple answer for this?

3 - Will the G630 or G850 still run emulators on XBMC like MAME, SuperNES etc?


Thanks in advance
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post #2 of 11
3/18/13 at 6:05pm
1 - For ripped blu-rays (lossless) 1080p + bitstream audio, does it matter which CPU between the G630, the G850 and the i3?


Answer= No. The picture and sound quality will be identical and you could not tell a difference. All of them will do it without any issues.
(I own a G530, G620, G630, G860, i3, i5 and i7)



2 - I am debating on just going Openelec/Linux XBMC or WMC on Windows 7. Is there an simple answer for this?

If you only want XBMC then you can go that route. With Windows7 You can do a lot more and you open up for external players, and other options like mediabrowser. If you really wanted to do gaming, or downloading, surfing... using external players or add on like MADVR+reclock+SVP etc... windows just gives you infinite options.




3 - Will the G630 or G850 still run emulators on XBMC like MAME, SuperNES etc?

Yes. Both should. A G630 is 2.7ghz and plenty. You won't notice much between that and a 2.9ghz 850 or even a 3.0ghz i3. The noticable improvement won't show until a quad core. And even then you'll need a CPU intensive application like encoding or running SVP+MadVR to notice anything. (something you can't do with XBMC on OPENELEC)
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post #3 of 11
3/18/13 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 
Mfusick -- You are very helpful. Thank you!

I just wondered how big a difference Intel HD graphics were vs Intel HD 2000/3000/4000 when it comes to HTPC and emulators.

I am confused.. WMC can do "more" than XBMC? Skins? Plugins like HGTV, DIY, Documentary.net, etc? Emulators? Plays every FLAC/MKV/HD audio without installing and rigging 50 codec packs? I guess I've been out of the game too long smile.gif
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post #4 of 11
3/18/13 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

1 - For ripped blu-rays (lossless) 1080p + bitstream audio, does it matter which CPU between the G630, the G850 and the i3?


Answer= No. The picture and sound quality will be identical and you could not tell a difference. All of them will do it without any issues.
(I own a G530, G620, G630, G860, i3, i5 and i7)



2 - I am debating on just going Openelec/Linux XBMC or WMC on Windows 7. Is there an simple answer for this?

If you only want XBMC then you can go that route. With Windows7 You can do a lot more and you open up for external players, and other options like mediabrowser. If you really wanted to do gaming, or downloading, surfing... using external players or add on like MADVR+reclock+SVP etc... windows just gives you infinite options.




3 - Will the G630 or G850 still run emulators on XBMC like MAME, SuperNES etc?

Yes. Both should. A G630 is 2.7ghz and plenty. You won't notice much between that and a 2.9ghz 850 or even a 3.0ghz i3. The noticable improvement won't show until a quad core. And even then you'll need a CPU intensive application like encoding or running SVP+MadVR to notice anything. (something you can't do with XBMC on OPENELEC)

Some very good points.

However, I would add that you really can't compare one CPU to another based on clock speed anymore. Its now all about the architecture.

Passmark of each of those CPUs...

G630 2.7ghz: 2430
G850 2.9ghz: 2646
i3-3220 3.2ghz: 4283 (not 3.0ghz unless you are talking about a Sandy Bridge i3-2100 which is 3598)

So I would disagree that you aren't going to notice a difference between a 2.9ghz G850 and 3.2ghz i3-3220 when used for gaming or other CPU intensive uses --- even though their clock speed shows a minimal difference.
Edited by assassin - 3/18/13 at 7:27pm
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post #5 of 11
3/18/13 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys -- I forgot to mention that I wouldn't get doing ANYTHING CPU intensive in the box besides emulators. I have a separate Blu-Ray ripping box.

I booted up Openelec on an old box and it was pretty awesome. Can I run emulators on that?

Also, is there any reason I can't use this drive for all my Blu-ray rips? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136471

Thanks for all the random help smile.gif
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post #6 of 11
3/18/13 at 9:09pm
I think you can save a few bucks and go with the cheaper CPU if you want.
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post #7 of 11
3/19/13 at 4:59am
Agree.
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post #8 of 11
3/19/13 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dborgill View Post

3 - Will the G630 or G850 still run emulators on XBMC like MAME, SuperNES etc?
Thanks in advance

Old emulators shouldn't be an issue but if you want to run pcsx2 or dolphin then a more powerful cpu is probably a good idea. Better graphics is probably a good idea too.
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post #9 of 11
3/19/13 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Right, I am good on the emulators and CPUs. Thank you!

Still not quite clear on XBMC vs WMC 7. I tried Openelec and it seems pretty slick and very easy to maintain. Just don't know if there are limitation on that vs full Windows or Linux XBMC vs WMC.

Thanks again --
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post #10 of 11
3/20/13 at 5:45am
You could always start simple and upgrade to windows when you wanted.

Plain and simple is windows can do everything but if you don't need it then you.... Don't need it.
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post #11 of 11
3/20/13 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dborgill View Post

Right, I am good on the emulators and CPUs. Thank you!

Still not quite clear on XBMC vs WMC 7. I tried Openelec and it seems pretty slick and very easy to maintain. Just don't know if there are limitation on that vs full Windows or Linux XBMC vs WMC.

Thanks again --

If you want cable TV content then WMC7 is your best option. If you don't want cable TV content then XBMC is probably a better option. WMC has a better Netflix app also, if that's a concern.

If you are going to have a large movie library then an SSD is a great idea.
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