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Devices => PC's and Other Hardware => Topic started by: chriswimlett on February 07, 2019, 05:58:04 am

Title: Windows 10 laptop for MC
Post by: chriswimlett on February 07, 2019, 05:58:04 am

I've decided to replace my aging MacBook Pro with a Windows 10 laptop dedicated to music streaming.  Video is not important, as I've got a Dell XPS-13 for photography, video work and everything else. 

I stream high-resolution FLAC files, held on an external hard drive, via DLNA to a Naim SuperUniti.  I've ony got a budget of £400, so what would be a good configuration for MC?  Screen resolution and internal disc size are less important than processor and RAM - is 8GB good enough?

TIA

Chris

Title: Re: Windows 10 laptop for MC
Post by: Manfred on February 08, 2019, 03:25:04 am

8 GB for audio and video playback is enough. I have an i3-7100 (passmark 5700) and CPU utilization is always < 10% for audio and < 20% for video. There is one exception: If you want to convert pcm to DSD in real time a 4C4T CPU or better with highest available clock and DDR4-2400 or higher is required. 

Title: Re: Windows 10 laptop for MC
Post by: RichSingapore on February 08, 2019, 05:12:56 am

I have a pretty mediocre HP laptop with i3-3110M processor and 6gb ram running windows 10. JR Mark 1911. Laptop can playback FLAC and upscale up to 2x DSD with no issues. You'll be able to get something twice as fast for less than 400.

Title: Re: Windows 10 laptop for MC
Post by: chriswimlett on February 09, 2019, 04:43:01 am

Thanks both, that's very helpful.  I don't do much processing in MC so it's good to know I don't need to spend too much.