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<blockquote data-quote="1gkar" data-source="post: 1020077" data-attributes="member: 53076">Hi,&nbsp;I know there are numerous threads on the site, &amp; the web about this. I can't locate specific information relative to my dilemma.&nbsp;I would much prefer the AMD route, as in New Zealand, there are minimal 1155 motherboards at a reasonable price. Not to mention the CPU&nbsp; is also a better cost.&nbsp;I cannot find any specific inormation on power consumption of the AMD A8-6500 CPU. Have looked at over twenty sites from Google searching. I understand the i3-3225 processor is very lean on power useage. But to justify the cost difference of over $70-$80 plus (CPU+mobo), it would have to be substantial.The closest I have found so far is:<a href="http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/283/AMD_A8-Series_A8-6500_vs_Intel_Core_i3_i3-3225.html" target="_blank">http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/283/AMD_A8-Series_A8-6500_vs_Intel_Core_i3_i3-3225.html</a>But does not state accurate figures, only generalised statements.&nbsp;My intentions for HTPC usage are:&nbsp;-watch 3D blu-rays &amp; mkvs-upscale 2D .mkvs to 3D-watch recorded NZ FreewviewHD TV -I rarely watch liveTV, but require this function to operate fully-transcode any recorded 1080i TV programmes &amp; BDs I procure-browse the web-stream online flash video-all the other basic Mediaportal functions like:&nbsp;&nbsp; -listen to music&nbsp;&nbsp; -watch DVD TV series &amp; movies -upscaled to 3D, if I want&nbsp;I have narrowed my list to one CPU of each type:&nbsp;Intel:CPU: i3-3225 -55wTDPmobo: Gigabyte GA-H77-D3H-would prefer Realtek audio, but this mobo is VIA. Just a personal preference, given&nbsp;&nbsp; issues I have had with VIA. Is the VT2021 chip &amp; drivers stable?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; ASRock Z77 Extreme4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Asus P8Z77-V LK&nbsp;I would much prefer H77 chipset as I don't require all the bells &amp; whistles that go with the added cost, but they are very limited in NZ. Am not interested in the micro variant unless they can supply:&nbsp;-more than 1x PCI-e slot-at least 2x 6GB/s SATA ports-SPDif out on the back panel&nbsp;&nbsp;AMD:CPU: A8-6500 -65wTDPMobo: Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-D3H&nbsp;Does this APU, utilising HD 8750D GPU fully support H.264 FreeviewHD without drop-off or stuttering?&nbsp;Will also be using SSD for OS: Samsung 840 120GBRAM: Dependent on which way I go with CPU. Kingston HyperX -either 1600/1866- looks good&nbsp;Don't think I have missed anything crucial to this discussion. I would would greatly appreciate those with IT knowledge to comment, specifically on the CPU aspect; as this is what the topic is really about.Thanks for taking the time to look at this thread.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="1gkar, post: 1020077, member: 53076"] Hi, I know there are numerous threads on the site, & the web about this. I can't locate specific information relative to my dilemma. I would much prefer the AMD route, as in New Zealand, there are minimal 1155 motherboards at a reasonable price. Not to mention the CPU is also a better cost. I cannot find any specific inormation on power consumption of the AMD A8-6500 CPU. Have looked at over twenty sites from Google searching. I understand the i3-3225 processor is very lean on power useage. But to justify the cost difference of over $70-$80 plus (CPU+mobo), it would have to be substantial. The closest I have found so far is: [url]http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/283/AMD_A8-Series_A8-6500_vs_Intel_Core_i3_i3-3225.html[/url] But does not state accurate figures, only generalised statements. My intentions for HTPC usage are: -watch 3D blu-rays & mkvs -upscale 2D .mkvs to 3D -watch recorded NZ FreewviewHD TV -I rarely watch liveTV, but require this function to operate fully -transcode any recorded 1080i TV programmes & BDs I procure -browse the web -stream online flash video -all the other basic Mediaportal functions like: -listen to music -watch DVD TV series & movies -upscaled to 3D, if I want I have narrowed my list to one CPU of each type: [U]Intel:[/U] CPU: i3-3225 -55wTDP mobo: Gigabyte GA-H77-D3H-would prefer Realtek audio, but this mobo is VIA. Just a personal preference, given issues I have had with VIA. Is the VT2021 chip & drivers stable? ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Asus P8Z77-V LK I would much prefer H77 chipset as I don't require all the bells & whistles that go with the added cost, but they are very limited in NZ. Am not interested in the micro variant unless they can supply: -more than 1x PCI-e slot -at least 2x 6GB/s SATA ports -SPDif out on the back panel [U]AMD:[/U] CPU: A8-6500 -65wTDP Mobo: Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-D3H Does this APU, utilising HD 8750D GPU fully support H.264 FreeviewHD without drop-off or stuttering? Will also be using SSD for OS: Samsung 840 120GB RAM: Dependent on which way I go with CPU. Kingston HyperX -either 1600/1866- looks good Don't think I have missed anything crucial to this discussion. I would would greatly appreciate those with IT knowledge to comment, specifically on the CPU aspect; as this is what the topic is really about. Thanks for taking the time to look at this thread. [/QUOTE]

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