AMD 4200+ X2 dual CPU- just FYI

[stevech]

Given you don't want to spend a lot on a better PC...
Old microATX PC chassis. AMD1800 motherboard.
I replaced it with

ASUS MX motherboard (microATX)
http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...38&modelmenu=2
on-board video (nVidia, good enough for me, I'm no gamer)

AMD 4200+ Dual CPU (good price point)
Name brand DDR2 800 low latency memory, 512MB x 2

Added new SATA-2 160GB boot disk, $59 on sale
Kept CD/DVD, Power Supply, etc.

Amazingly fast and low temperature CPU. Web surfing, CPU = room ambient. (heat sink/fan are generic retail box)

Ran Nero transcoding mpeg2 to mpeg4, to/from same SATA disk. CPUs (2) at 80%. Temperature at 38C. Concurrent Web surfing - slowed response to my surfing was almost negligible. Nero may not multi-thread.

Ran Google Earth, zoomed in, roaming the world with 45 degree tilt/warp. And viewing mpegs in two windows. CPUs 40%.

Lotta bang for da buck. (fast delivery from newEgg.com)

I'm an AMD supporter because: "What would a Pentium chip cost us were it not for AMD". And I've been happy with them for 10 years.

[Morgan111]

Nice little board! That would make a nice little server... or client! How does that Nvidia 6100 do with HD?

I just ordered an AMD X2 processor as an upgrade to the mobo in my server. should help alot with using an MVP, placeshifting and compressing videos.

[stevech]

HD - I dunno. Got none.

[dvd_maniac]

Ran Nero transcoding mpeg2 to mpeg4, to/from same SATA disk. CPUs (2) at 80%. Temperature at 38C. Concurrent Web surfing - slowed response to my surfing was almost negligible. Nero may not multi-thread.

Nero 7 is indeed multi-threaded.

[ben_95sl1]

Not to be nasty, but the M2NPV-VM with 6150 is the better choice for most; tv out bracket is included with component, svideo and composite, and the 6150 video has more power and features for video playback.

One thing I've noticed is how crazy cold the amd 64 cpus are vs my older athlon xp 2000+. Stock heatsink/thermal pad on my sempron (no cool+quiet) during a CPU burn with asus qfan enabled is ~42deg. I can barely get my athlon xp down that low idling with an aftermarket copper heatsink (with low rpm fan). I have the same motherboard at work with an 4200+ X2 which reports similar temps to my sempron. I'm very impressed that the stock heatsink with Qfan is quiet enough for an htpc.