[jamesm113]

Currently I have an E-350 in a mini itx case. I want to upgrade CPUs. I'm currently looking at the A6-5400K or Pentium G2020, though if another CPU is lot better or worth extra cash, feel free to slap me with a piece of fish and tell me what I should get.


What my HTPC does:

• Windows Media Center 7
• Streams/Records live TV from HD HomeRun prime
• Netflix HD (this kills the E-350)
• Youtube HD
• SMB file server w/ USB external HD (this kills the E-350 sometimes)
• Media center extender for an xbox (this kills the E-350 as well)
• Sling catcher HD
• MLB.TV HD
• Plays 1080p H.264 DD/DTS 5.1 movies
• Outputs 1080p & DD/DTS 5.1 via HDMI to Yamaha RX-V573 AV receiver. No 3D, nor do I plan on needing 3D.

EDIT: Specs:

• MSI E-350 APU on Mini ITX board (want to upgrade)
• 2x4GB DDR3-1333
• Antec ISK300-65 Mini ITX case. Will upgrade power brick to around 120 watts - included mini PSU is 135W but stock power brick is 65 watts
• 120 GB Kingston SSD
• 1 TB USB 2.0 HD

 

[jamesm113]

Bump... Anyone?

 

[jamesm113]

Yes, I plan on using integrated graphics. Good to know about the 24hz problem. I don't plan on doing any gaming.


Although I like the idea, I don't think upgrading to win8 is enough, because even though it solves the netflix HD problem, I'd still have issues with the USB CPU %. The E-350 simply just isn't powerful enough for what i need this to do. It's constantly under heavy load, and I'd rather have a CPU than can handle it easily.


How are intel drivers? I know AMDs are bad.

 

[jamesm113]

Is the 24hz Intel issue still a problem? Anandtech says it's solved


Bottom line though, I want to have enough processing power left over to decode Netflix HD while watching an 1080p movie on one extender and watching a 1080i HD home run stream on another extender. The E-350 falls way short of that. How would the A6 or G2020 handle those loads? What about the A8-5500?


Thanks!