Advice: What to replace/improve (1 Viewer)

[PureLoneWolf]

MediaPortal Version: 1.2.2
MediaPortal Skin: Streamed MP
Windows Version: Windows 7 32 Ultimate SP1
CPU Type: AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640 2.7ghz
HDD: Seagate ST380011A 80gb
Memory: 2gb Crucial PC2-8000 DDR2
Motherboard: MSI MS-7309 (v1.3)
Video Card: Sapphire HD6450 1gb
Video Card Driver: 11.12
Sound Card: Over HDMI through Graphics card
1. TV Card: TBS 6981 PCI-E Dual Tuner
1. TV Card Type: DVB-S2
1. TV Card Driver: v2.0.1.3
MPEG2 Video Codec: FFDShow
MPEG2 Audio Codec: FFDShow
h.264 Video Codec: FFDShow
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Astra 2D, Astra 1N
HTPC Case: Techsolo TC-400
Power Supply: Techsolo Micro 350w
Remote: Microsoft MCE
TV: Samsung UE40D5700
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

Hi all

I think I already know the answer to this, but figured I would confirm anyway I converted a spare desktop into a HTPC when I got my new TV, mainly as I don't have a lot of free cash floating around at the moment.

I am noticing some slight (very slight) stuttering when watching HD channels and I am pretty sure it is the hard disk that is causing the bottleneck. The motherboard supports SATA-II, so I figure that replacing the drive should be my priority, along with another 2gb of RAM.

Obviously, Windows 7 32bit won't properly address the full 4gb, but would moving to 64bit make that much more of a difference to this setup? I have 64bit available.

Regarding the hard disk...in the main, affordable drives seem to be 7200rpm, and I can't stretch to the extra for 10k rpm

What would be the best to do and in what order of preference?

Cheers

 

[mm1352000]

Hi again PureLoneWolf

10000 rpm drives are unnecessary; 7200 rpm is more than adequate; even 5400 rpm can work. I would possibly suspect the CPU before I suspect the HDD - if you're using normal FFDShow (non DXVA) then the decoding load is on the CPU rather than the GPU. I'd suggest you try codecs that support hardware accelerated decoding (DXVA) before looking for new hardware.

About 64 bit: I think it is important to consider driver compatibility/stability under 64 bit. Other than that, it doesn't really make much difference. MP is 32 bit software so it can't use the extra RAM even if it is available.

mm

 

[PureLoneWolf]

Ok, that sounds good. What codecs do you use? FFDShow have served me well over the years, so I tend to install/use them out of habit more than anything else.

I am quite happy to switch to something better suited

 

[PureLoneWolf]

Hi MM

I am still getting sticking on files streaming across the LAN and some stuttering on Live TV - Only once per 45 minute show..and normally about halfway through, it stutters for about 5 seconds and then recovers. It feels like it is buffering and the buffer is basically empty.

I have added an additional 2gb RAM, a SATA-II hard disk, a Gigabit LAN adaptor (the server is also on Gig and in the same switch). I guess it is the processor that is causing these issues. A single core AMD LE-1640 just doesn't cut the mustard.

So I found a dual core 5200+ that the motherboard can take, which should be here tomorrow.

In an effort to really make it run as sweet as possible, I am also considering a rebuild to Windows XP SP3....

What do you think?