CPU and/or GPU upgrade for HD (1 Viewer)

[finwen]

Hi.

Yesterday i upgraded my TV card and got a nice Floppy DVB-S2. I works fine but as i suspected i got some problems with my current htpc.

I can see the HD channels fine for about 10 seconds but after that it lags out take a break and thenn goes fine for a 10 seconds again. CPU usage is 100%



OS:Windows XP SP3
CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ (Socket 939)
GPU: Nvidia 6600


I Suspect i need a hardware upgrade to get it running smooth.
The big question is what to upgrade

Maybe as new GPU will be enough? HD 4550 might help or do i need to upgrade ta a dual CPU also (and new motherboard/memory)

 

[eetaylog]

i would be upgrading that processor if i were you, its probably lacking a bit of grunt.

also, how much memory are you running and are you running onboard graphics?

 

[finwen]

I have 2 GB Ram and no onboard gfx. I use NVidia 6600 (PCI Express)

 

[eetaylog]

running a seperate graphics card might help a bit by not using up any of your onboard memory, but you might get away with just a processor upgrade, tho you may need a change of mobo as well for a more modern processor socket.

 

[Spragleknas]

What codecs are you using?

 

[finwen]

I used CoreAVC yesterday.

 

[ichessblumen]

I'd prefer to upgrade for a better GPU like a HD 3650. that should do better than upgrading to a Socket 939 X2.

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

a x2 processor only if your motherboard supports it, check website, 2x1gb memory to take advantage of dual memory.

As good as the 6600 is, it needs to be a gt, not gs, we did some testing a couple of years back and found that was the minimal spec at the time for smooth HD.

It's always a problem when you have a decision to either upgrade or start a fresh setup.

 

[Spragleknas]

FYI:
If you want to continue using CoreAVC, then there is no reason to upgrade gfx, as CoreAVC uses CPU - only.
If you are having problems with HD, you could try a DXVA capable decoder, like CyberLink Power DVD - although I'm not sure about your GFX's DXVA capabilities.

 

[Kingfisher]

I would say upgrade both.

I tried running HD on an X2 3800+ (939), 2GB Dual Channel and an 8500GT. It stuttered like hell, even on 720p. (This was playing BluRay using Arcsoft TotalTheater).

x264 was reasonably ok, but struggled with 1080 using CoreAVC.