Need new processor...

[atifsh]

here are my options..... would like cheapest performer for HTPC, xvids/divx and mkv's, so dont need overkill... what u guys think.

1. pentium dualcore E5200 2.5 Ghz 2 mb cache 800 bus
2. C2D E4600 2.4 Ghz 2 mb cache 800 bus
3. C2D E7300 2.66 Ghz 3 mb cache 1066 bus

im not going to overclock, no gaming, no encoding

[Chewy]

C2D E4600 2.4 Ghz 2 mb cache 800 bus

anything but a P4 dual core, that technology has been dead for 3 years

the amd 64 x2's work well also

[atifsh]

please explain, or ur talking bout Pentium D's those P4's glued to make burning dualcore p 4's

[atifsh]

or show me pentium 4 or pentium D running at this temp... :

[UncasMS]

all those processors should be fine for an htpc

try to select the one which is inexpensive, has lowest tdp and heat production


btw, here are my current temps:

[UncasMS]

here are temps from my media pc (amd x2 4000+, 320gb, 1gb ram) while running itunes and some other tools (firefox, total commander, everest + coretemp)

[admin]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what would be the normal core temp of a E8500, while idle using the stock HSF?

[atifsh]

now either coretemp not show correct or amd has beaten intel in heat... iv seen many doesnt show above 15 and hover round 8 and 9 idle
but same system shows way up with motherboards own tool.. like asus shows cpu 30 and core shows 9 and 10 with this friend of mine

[atifsh]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what would be the normal core temp of a E8500, while idle using the stock HSF?

should be around 30 deg +-2

[UncasMS]

now either coretemp not show correct or amd has beaten intel in heat... iv seen many doesnt show above 15 and hover round 8 and 9 idle
but same system shows way up with motherboards own tool.. like asus shows cpu 30 and core shows 9 and 10 with this friend of mine

you should take into consideration that amd's "cool&quiet" technology works fine

c.f. the core speed AND voltage in my screens

[Chewy]

I am always skeptical about temperatures below ambient, perpetual motion machines etc

All that physics and thermodynamics will do that to you

[admin]

should be around 30 deg +-2

I've been reading into this more, and it's all a bit confusing for 45nm CPUs, and I'm not sure if I've got everything right.

Real Temp seems to be the only one that tries to solve the puzzle of reading temperatures for Intel's 45nm CPUs. But I've also read that even using Real Temp, the reported temperatures at idle are too high compared to the real temperatures due to sensors not designed to measure temps at idle. So without calibration, the lower the load, the bigger the error in reporting temps. So you get high idle temps, but under full load, the temp may not even go up that much higher.

Unless of course your HSF is not installed properly, or airflow is a problem, then the high idle temp could indicate this. So you then test it at full load, and if the TJmax delta is above 30, then the HSF/air flow is probably not responsible for high idle temps, rather, it will be the lack of a proper idle calibration value.

So you then have to then calibrate at idle and low clocked (or with Intel SpeedStep), add an idle calibration value so that the idle temp is 5C+ above room temperature (with the case open), and then Real Temp will scale it for you (non-linearly, so that the offset value approaches 0 as load goes up) to give you the proper core temperatures .

Or something like this.

[atifsh]

ok i tried good old fashioned way to check the temp, i open the case and put my fingers on heatsink and it was very cool. good enough for me when im not getting bsod's or system restarts means all working fine

[atifsh]

all those processors should be fine for an htpc

try to select the one which is inexpensive, has lowest tdp and heat production

well the cheapest one i skipped is E2200, next is E5200 which im opting for, has really good performance and low tdp.

also skipping one c2d E4500 thats not available here now, but could buy this open boxed for round 15$ cheaper then E5200

[doctorhardware]

That is one item that I would shy away from, when it is an open box item. Unless that there may be an extended warranty on. Usually I do not buy extended warranties.