Topic: What performs better - Intel Duo or Quad cores with Media Center? (Read 4200 times)

MarSies · « **on:** August 09, 2007, 02:40:26 am »

Guys,

I'm busy building a new PC and want to choose between:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750

I wonder if Media Center supports the quad cores. Some apps do and they run extremely faster on quads. Does anyone have experiences with this or can JRiver say if they support all these cores.

I will start with XP first and may switch to Vista somewhere end this year!

Marsies .....

jmone · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2007, 04:31:46 am »

I'll let you know,

I'm building a new HTPC on a Shuttle SG35G5, Q6600, 2gb ddr2 800mhz mem (from a PentD 820, 1gb). Also have a 6300 with 2gb. All run MC12 just fine! I've found that for HTPC use selection of the video card is more important. All on Vista.
Thanks
Nathan

MarSies · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2007, 06:38:44 am »

Cool, I'm very interested to know what you'l find out.

If Media Center supports the 4 cores it will run superfast. For example when converting ape to MP3 to my iPod with multiple conversions. If for every conversion a core is used I'll be happy and get me the Quad.

Prices are the same

Marsies .....

JimH · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2007, 07:04:38 am »

Quote from: MarSies on August 09, 2007, 06:38:44 am

If Media Center supports the 4 cores it will run superfast. For example when converting ape to MP3 to my iPod with multiple conversions. If for every conversion a core is used I'll be happy and get me the Quad.

MC12 does.

glynor · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2007, 07:20:22 am »

MC is very thoroughly multithreaded. It responds quite well to additional cpu cores.

If only the DirectShow filters were so well written...

hit_ny · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2007, 11:47:54 am »

Quote from: jmone on August 09, 2007, 04:31:46 am

I've found that for HTPC use selection of the video card is more important.

Recommendations ?

jmone · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2007, 02:13:41 am »

I'll write up my finding on the new PC in the Hardware forum, but let me say the Quad Core is not troubled by anything MC12 throws at it (or would the Dual Core). I built my new HTPC, was coping files, playing with DirectDraw filters, building thumbnails, playing videos etc and the cobmined CPU useage was under 10% all the time with the odd peak up to about 25%.....

Edit - The peak is when pushing High Def Video (HDV) with hardware acceleration off - you get one core up to around 45%....turning on hardware acceleration and it drops back down!

jmone · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2007, 02:24:27 am »

Quote from: hit_ny on August 09, 2007, 11:47:54 am

Recommendations ?

OK - it seems the biggest issue with the Graphics Mfr is that HDTV is a second priority in getting good jitter free 720p/1080i output to a TV AND support for HDTV issues like Overscan Compensation and PAL support - NOT the processing power of the card itself. To me it seems the drivers are the biggest weak point so far that I have come across.

1) nVidia - I've tired a couple of nVidia cards (6200TC and 7600GS) on both Vista and XP with varying drivers and find them hard to recommend due to jitter (most noticable on live TV Sports) and lack of proper overscan compensation and geometry adjustment for HDTV (especially for us PAL users).

2) INTEL - My Shuttle has a G33 chipset so includes the Intel integrated GMA 3100 on the motherboard (nothing more to pay!). This is proof that unless you're a gamer the "fancy" high end cards can be put to shame for HDTV by something more modest. So far I've only had it a day and for HDTV I would say it is a step above the nVidia products with the latest driver. Apparantly it will do overscan compensation but I've yet to find it!

3) Other - ATI etc? No idea as I've not tried.

Thanks
Nathan

MarSies · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2007, 06:32:44 am »

MC works with the Quad and Dual cores

Then a Quad core it will be. Intel, you will sell another Q6600

Marsies .....

benn600 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2007, 12:15:44 pm »

It would be great if we could get some people who own the quad core chip to test various encoding processes. That is one area that would justify the extra cost. I was thinking: why would you care if MC runs a little faster? It seems to run very well on my lower-end Core 2. The encoding part would be a great benefit.

hit_ny · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2007, 02:04:08 pm »

I find it hard to justify a quad-core for just HTPC use !

Surely a low to mid end dual-core would be more than adequate for the purpose, going up to 1080p if required.

jmone · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2007, 03:15:42 pm »

The Q6600 halved in price not long ago puting it down around $300. I'd have prefered to swap the CPU with my main PC (Core 2 Duo 6300) as I encode Video on that box but but the Mobo will does not support the Quads (Mmmm no reason why I can not do my encodes on the HTPC box...).

That being said, have you ever heard someone complain after a year that their PC was too fast?

Thanks
Nathan

PS you should see this thing build Video Thumnails now!

benn600 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2007, 03:48:43 pm »

Lol. Not for a HTPC! When I built my HTPC, I put very low end components in it. I did happen to have a decent video card laying around, though--$160.

hit_ny · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2007, 04:16:08 pm »

Right, put the savings to a good graphics card, you'd get more bang for the buck right there.

As far as use is concerned, you'd be none the wiser.

So what's the minimum config that would give acceptable 1080p for CPU + graphics card ?

Encoding jobs are best left overnight, batch them up, not like you're missing anything is there

benn600 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2007, 05:56:34 pm »

Where exactly do you guys get 1080p content on your computer? I would love to have a good source but high definition discs aren't great because I can't rip them to my server. I want the ease of accessing them through Media Center.

hit_ny · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2007, 06:26:05 pm »

Its not readily available now, but will in a few yrs time.

So taking that spec into consideration, HTPC should be good for a long time.

MarSies · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2007, 03:46:43 am »

MC runs good enough on a AMD 3800. But as soon as you start using other things like G-force on my 30" screen things start to slow down. Responseness in MC can be very slow, even without G-Force activated. Ripping CD1 while doing playback from CD2 still gives MC problems, even with the dual core.

I'm going from a 3800 to a Q6600. The version I have now is a AMD 4200 dual core, which shows some benefits while converting. Haven't done a real test yet.

This week I'll buy my new configuration with a PCI-X raid card to protect my music which I have lot 2 times already. And I'll be happy to test things if you want. I'll probably also go to Vista 64. Would be cool to have some MC conversion rating tables for CPU's (single, dual and Quad cores).

That brings me to 2 questions I forgot:

Does MC run faster on Vista64 or is there no difference at all ?
Is there any reason to buy the Vista media version when you have MC ?

Marsies .....

jmone · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2007, 04:29:30 am »

I'd be cautious of 64bit due to the patchy driver support. You can always try the 64 bit version first (before activation) as all versions are on the disk but you will need to reinstall if you change your mind.

You don't need versions with their MC but you do get the MS MPEG2 Video decoder that is pretty good. Also I found that turning off Aero caused tearing for some reason in playing Digital TV but I don't know why this would be.

Nathan

JimH · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:48:21 am »

I wouldn't recommend a 64bit Windows OS. It would not be faster and could cause problems.

skeeterfood · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2007, 04:07:29 pm »

Quote from: hit_ny on August 12, 2007, 04:16:08 pm

So what's the minimum config that would give acceptable 1080p for CPU + graphics card ?

Look at this thread over at the AVS forum for a complete answer.

-John

MarSies · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2007, 06:32:07 am »

My system is not ready yet but I first tried Vista 64, seemed to work fine with MC. What a relief how drivers are installed so easily with Vista.

Went back to XPsp2 and did a few minor test to see the performance on converting for my iPod with 1 or 4 conversions smultaneously. The only thing I can say is

Everything works better with this Q660, Abit IP35 PRO board and 4GB RAM. There are still some points where MC does not respond very fast but overall , it's much better.

If you are looking for an upgrade, take a Quad COU if you do many conversions for your handheld. I will test again under Vista64. Despite the presented problems I want to do it 64 bits wide. Sooner or later we will all be at 64 bits.

Marsies .....

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Author Topic: What performs better - Intel Duo or Quad cores with Media Center? (Read 4200 times)