GeForce 6100 - OK as a client?

[sixdoubleo]

I know some folks here were discussing the 6150 boards and some had success with it. What about the 6100 for use as a client? I have a GeForce 6100 board laying around and just came across a 4400 X2 processor to put in it. I was thinking about making it my new HTPC. (Currently have an A7N8X w/ATI 9600).

I have done PCMark05 comparisons, but in terms of real-life, how would a GeForce 6100 compare to say an ATI 9600 in terms of a Sage client running SD content?

[litkaj]

I don't think that's a very fair comparison. You're talking about comparing a system with an AthlonXP vs an Athlon64 X2. On the other hand, the ATI 9600 is going to crush the 6100 at pretty much any 3D-oriented task, particularly if it's a Pro or XT model.

That said, I'd still recommend upgrading as the boost in processing power will really help with the decoding of higher-res files.

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by litkaj

I don't think that's a very fair comparison. You're talking about comparing a system with an AthlonXP vs an Athlon64 X2. On the other hand, the ATI 9600 is going to crush the 6100 at pretty much any 3D-oriented task, particularly if it's a Pro or XT model.

That said, I'd still recommend upgrading as the boost in processing power will really help with the decoding of higher-res files.

Exactly. I under stand that and thus the prupose for my question. The 6100 MB/CPU will have a ton more processing power, RAM speed, etc. However, the 9600 will have an edge in 3D.

I'm wondering which is more beneficial with Sage viewing SD content. Processing power or 3D capability? And it's sounding like the processing power will provide the better benefit. To what extent does 3D capability matter?

[bcjenkins]

No need 3D for TV. (said with best caveman accent)

[litkaj]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

No need 3D for TV. (said with best caveman accent)

If you have 3D acceleration enabled in Sage and are using VMR9 then 3D processing power is important, particularly if you're viewing SD content in full screen with a high res monitor (like 1080p).

That said, either should be adequate with a processor like the X2 mentioned in the first post.

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by litkaj

If you have 3D acceleration enabled in Sage and are using VMR9 then 3D processing power is important, particularly if you're viewing SD content in full screen with a high res monitor (like 1080p).

That said, either should be adequate with a processor like the X2 mentioned in the first post.

Yeah, that's what I suspected, but wasn't quite sure what type of a strain the VMR/3D stuff was. If you're just simply WATCHING, and no menus are on-screen is VMR working very hard, or does it matter?

As a test, I ran the same show on both systems and just watched average CPU.... (1920x1080p TV)

Athlon 2600/ATI 9600 System: 22% to 39%
Ahtlon 64 X2 4400/6100 System: 6% to 15%

Hard to tell how much the GPU was working though. I imagine the 9600 was idling, while the 6100 was working its butt off.

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by litkaj

If you have 3D acceleration enabled in Sage and are using VMR9 then 3D processing power is important, particularly if you're viewing SD content in full screen with a high res monitor (like 1080p).

That said, either should be adequate with a processor like the X2 mentioned in the first post.

If you look at the first post, nothing indicated operating environment other than the content displayed would be SD. In my experience, FSE and 3D is not a requirement for smooth SD playback. However, if we're upconverting to 1080p I would not recommend a 6100 at all.

ciao

b

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

If you look at the first post, nothing indicated operating environment other than the content displayed would be SD. In my experience, FSE and 3D is not a requirement for smooth SD playback. However, if we're upconverting to 1080p I would not recommend a 6100 at all.

ciao

b

Yeah, maybe I didn't give enough info....

Current setup is:
Asus A7N8X Athlon XP 2600
2GB PC3200
ATI 9600 (Non-Pro, Fanless)

I'm running VGA to a 1920x1080p Samsung DLP.

I use 3D Acceleration, and VMR9...all content is SD.

The current system is very adequate....but since I had this other board lying around and got an X2 4400 for free, I was considering swapping out...but I wouldn't want to have to give up any quality.

As I said, initial seat of the pants test with Sage shows the 6100/X24400 combo to have an edge...yet in terms of raw 3D, PCMark05 shows the 6100 well behind the 9600 in almost every 3D benchmark.

Might just have to plug it in for a while and see...