Is MP slow because of my hardware? (1 Viewer)

[fokfokfok]

MediaPortal Version: 1.0.2.0
MediaPortal Skin: monocrome
Windows Version: vista
CPU Type: amd 5200+ 2.7Ghz
HDD: 500GB SAMSUNG SPINPOINT T166 16MB 7200RP
Memory: 2GB Kingston valueram
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AMD 690G
Video Card: onboard

Hi!

I've been using MP for a few years and love it. There's just one thing that really bothers me and that's the UI speed. There's a noticeable lag when I press buttons on the remote and sometimes when browsing my tv-series or moving pictures it freezes for for several seconds.

I don't know if this is a question of tweaking or if my hardware is too slow. Maybe it would help if I bought a low end video card?

Thanks

 

[Ventry]

Well.
The 2 things I would flag as suspect would be :
Vista
and
Whatever the onboard video is.
With an emphasis on the onboard video.
Bit of research: Radeon x1250.

My suggestions:
MP 1.1.3
Windows 7
Dedicated video card (i use a Nvidia 9600GT 512 Meg) something of similar ilk would suffice.

Cheers
Ventry

 

[fokfokfok]

Thanks.

I'm a bit surprised that you think the OS would make a difference though.

 

[NickName]

I'd have a tendency to agree. Vista is known for having extra bloat, so you could try turning off services that aren't needed, though Windows 7 would be a better choice.
The video card will definitley be hurting performance as the card will be using system ram (of which you have only 2gig). Therefore, say the card is using 500mb, then that leaves a bit over a gig (some ram is reserved for "system" use) for Vista and Mediaportal to run.
I'd get a new graphics and if still not happy, try 2 gig more ram and/or Windows 7.

Nick Name

 

[ryan20021982]

I noticed a huge difference going from Vista to Win7 when I did, with no change to hardware.

 

[Lehmden]

AW: Is MP slow because of my hardware?

Hello.
Of course Win7 needs lot less Power than Vista.
And an extra GPU will speed up the System a lot also. Especially as your CPU isn't one of the most powerful CPU available today.
You can use a Nvidia GT220 or higher. An ATI HD 5450 or higher also fits all needs a HTPC has. But get yourself a GPU with DDR3 Ram. The DDR2 Cards are a lot slower.

 

[pilehave]

I have the Radeon x1250 chipset on a test-PC with an X2 4800+ CPU, and my experience is that the gfx is in the low end and can't handle the load, especially if I run it in FullHD. Fanart is terrible slow to load.

Using a "light" skin like B3W is better than a "heavier" skin (Maya, StreamedMP) and still it feels a little to underpowered.

My HTPC with a Radeon 3200 onboard works without any problems.

 

[fokfokfok]

So an HD5450 with 512MB DDR3 ram would be fast enough? And would it run 1080p?

 

[mylle]

So an HD5450 with 512MB DDR3 ram would be fast enough? And would it run 1080p?

Yes. works perfect for me

 

[pilehave]

1080i is where most low-end gfx cards choke. 1080p should be a walk in the park for almost any DXVA-card. And the 5450 is most certainly up to the task without breaking a sweat