Which AMD processor for 1080p?

[obohn]

Hi!
I am building a new HTPC.
I will be using the new Geforce 8200 mainboard: http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8200mgpu.html

Which AMD cpu will give me the best performance?
Does XBMC support more than dualcore (quad, tri)?
Clockspeeds for smooth 1080p playback?

[marlboroman1]

6000+ would be the one I Would go for anything less and you might find it dropping frames on hight bit rate material what ever cpu you get xbmc will only use two cores for video.

[shadowdragon]

I just built a xbmc pc and I used a 6000+ and I put on Stardust (1080p version) and it played fine.

[x5nder]

For a energy efficient HTPC you definitely don't need to go as high as a 6000+. I currently use an Athlon 4450E-processor and that works smoothly with whatever I throw at it (1080p mkv/wmv and even M2TS-streams, XBMC running on top of Vista w/2 GB of memory). Even if I downclock it to the level of a 4050E it works fine. If you do want to be on the safe side, the 4850E has a little bit more horsepower but the same thermal envelope & energy usage.

[supernoman]

Only time I have gotten slowdown is with the Planet Earth MKVs. Everything else so far is fine. AMD BE2400 45W CPU.

[logopolis]

I have an Athlon 5200+ in my HTPC, any I haven't noticed any slowdown with playing high-def video on my machine.

[direstrates]

Saying that your system plays HD smoothly is pretty much useless unless you state the video details (saying you play mkv says nothing about the video details). HD resolution does not necessarily make it HD in terms of PQ....bitrate is really the key. True HD has a bitrate > 15Mb/sec with most of it around 18-21Mb/sec at 60fps (OTA HD ts for example).

IMHO I would always go with as much cpu as you can afford. It certainly can not hurt to have more than you need at the moment and who knows maybe you will not have to upgrade again in the near future!

[obohn]

So the most expensive is the best?
Will the quadcore Phenom 9950 (2,6ghz) perform better than a X2 6000+ (3,1ghz)?

[mitul103]

XBMC currently can only utilize 2 cores, so the X2 would be the better option at the moment.

[NiggyG]

So the most expensive is the best?
Will the quadcore Phenom 9950 (2,6ghz) perform better than a X2 6000+ (3,1ghz)?

No, XBMC does not use utilise quads so the higher clock speed of the 6000+ would be better.

[direstrates]

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/cpu-charts-2008-q1-2008/3D-Studio-Max-9,369.html

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/

There is more to it than just cpu speed. FSB and DRAM matter as well. Also, even though XBMC may only utilize 1 or 2 cores there may be other things going on that can utilize the other cores.

[brulsmurf]

Please forgive me my ignorance, but wouldn't the 8200's MPEG2 and H.264 hardware acceleration ensure fluid 1080p playback - regardless of the CPU power?

[mitul103]

XBMC does not yet take advantage of GPU acceleration so no it would not.

[chepnut]

I built this before XBMC was a viable option, and had mediaportal in mind. Using avccore as my codec it can play the "killa sample" perfect and any of the planet earth 1080p mkvs without a hitch. I ditched mediaportal but have suffered a bit with some video files, but for the most part it plays 90% of my HD content smooth like butter.

Here are the specs of my machine.

MOBO - GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz
RAM - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) (just upgraded to 4 GB)
OS - Vista ultimate x64

Running any video in KM Player or media player with AVCcore as my codec, I have zero problems. But its only a matter of time that the problems in XBMC are ironed out even if that means letting us tell XBMC to use another codec or getting ffmpeg dialed in.

[smalls]

I am running a Sempron 3400 with a ATI 3650HD card and 1gig of ram. I am able to play 1080P *with* some dropped frames and about 70% processor usage.

[idlerobbo]

I am running an Athlon X2 4850e with 2GB Memory on Win XP Pro and all HD formats play fine - although there is the classic XBMC problem of stuttering on slow pans, but I feel this is XBMC that is at fault and not my setup as they play flawlessly in any other player...

[rernst]

I am running an Athlon X2 4850e with 2GB Memory on Win XP Pro and all HD formats play fine - although there is the classic XBMC problem of stuttering on slow pans, but I feel this is XBMC that is at fault and not my setup as they play flawlessly in any other player...

Exact same here. Nice Cool'n quiet technology, low power consumption and heat, miniature case. Plays all HD just fine.

[Duedate]

I have a GA-MA790GP-DS4H mobo (integrated Radeon HD3300), 4850e CPU, 4GB RAM and I am running WinXP 32bit. This setup can't play all 1080P mkv-files without problems running XBMC. It will be possible the day XBMC can decode 1080P movies with help of the GPU, and I hope that day comes soon. The 4850e is unfortunatley to slow for the job, a 6000+ should be enough though.

[rernst]

I have a GA-MA790GP-DS4H mobo (integrated Radeon HD3300), 4850e CPU, 4GB RAM and I am running WinXP 32bit. This setup can't play all 1080P mkv-files without problems running XBMC. It will be possible the day XBMC can decode 1080P movies with help of the GPU, and I hope that day comes soon. The 4850e is unfortunatley to slow for the job, a 6000+ should be enough though.

A 6000 draws too much power and runs too hot to make it feasible in a set top environment.

[xeonicxpression]

Since the whole dual core vs quad core issue was brought up; is it in the plans to add quad core support anytime in the near future? When I say near future I mean by the end of 2009. I would like to build a dedicated HTPC within the next 3 months or so. If there is no real plan to add quad core support, I'll just go for a faster dual core.

[Evanrich]

i second the info request on >2 core processors. I am looking at getting the acer aspire x1200 SFF machine, which is perfect for playing HD content, but its dual core 4850e. I could easily stick another processor in there thats faster, but i may wait if 3/4 core is going to be implemented anytime soon.

[x5nder]

I have a GA-MA790GP-DS4H mobo (integrated Radeon HD3300), 4850e CPU, 4GB RAM and I am running WinXP 32bit. This setup can't play all 1080P mkv-files without problems running XBMC. It will be possible the day XBMC can decode 1080P movies with help of the GPU, and I hope that day comes soon. The 4850e is unfortunatley to slow for the job, a 6000+ should be enough though.

I am running on a 4450e and have yet to see the first 1080p-movie that doesn't run fluidly. All hd-dvd/blu-ray-rips in mkv-format I have found on usenet so far run without a hitch.

[Evanrich]

I am running on a 4450e and have yet to see the first 1080p-movie that doesn't run fluidly. All hd-dvd/blu-ray-rips in mkv-format I have found on usenet so far run without a hitch.

What bitrate are your 1080p mkv's running at? I am looking at a acer aspire x1200 SFF box to use for my media center, and it comes with a 4850e (2.5ghz i believe) it wil play bluray discs with about 70% cpu usage...thats fine, but im wondering since XBMC is not GPU accelerated yet, would i have issues?


Can you check the bitrate on your videos, as well as let us know what cpu usage you see when using xbmc on your 4450e?

Thanks!

[rernst]

Hi!
I am building a new HTPC.
I will be using the new Geforce 8200 mainboard: http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8200mgpu.html

Which AMD cpu will give me the best performance?
Does XBMC support more than dualcore (quad, tri)?
Clockspeeds for smooth 1080p playback?

AMD *officially* recommends a 4400. My experience (I still argue) is that a 4050e also does on the right motherboard.

[soder]

I think this is the right place to ask a question, so here it comes. =)

I got an AMD 4850 and running on Ubuntu 8.10 with the ATI 8.552 driver.

Shall I install something from this page?

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html

drivers for the motherboard or cpu or something?

Thanks.

/Söder

[staticx]

For a energy efficient HTPC you definitely don't need to go as high as a 6000+. I currently use an Athlon 4450E-processor and that works smoothly with whatever I throw at it (1080p mkv/wmv and even M2TS-streams, XBMC running on top of Vista w/2 GB of memory). Even if I downclock it to the level of a 4050E it works fine. If you do want to be on the safe side, the 4850E has a little bit more horsepower but the same thermal envelope & energy usage.


I have 4850E 2.5@2.9 and still can't see high bitrate hd videos like M2TS files of 4.5gb (original Blueray rip) VC1... also with coreavc and bsplayer..
the 4850 is too weak.
regular 1080p files (8-30gb) works great

I should have bought an intel 7200 cpu..
anyway, my only option is to wait for the new Phenom II proc.

AMD SUCKS.

[staticx]

I think this is the right place to ask a question, so here it comes. =)

I got an AMD 4850 and running on Ubuntu 8.10 with the ATI 8.552 driver.

Shall I install something from this page?

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html

drivers for the motherboard or cpu or something?

Thanks.

/Söder



install AMD Dual-Core Optimizer Version 1.1.4
it improves video playback

[soder]

install AMD Dual-Core Optimizer Version 1.1.4
it improves video playback

But I see now that all downloads from that site isnt for Linux. Have you tried it for Ubuntu?

EDIT: wrong place =(
XBMC for Windows

/Söder

[veeco]

i second the info request on >2 core processors. I am looking at getting the acer aspire x1200 SFF machine, which is perfect for playing HD content, but its dual core 4850e. I could easily stick another processor in there thats faster, but i may wait if 3/4 core is going to be implemented anytime soon.

It's coming:

FYI; XBMC's video-player currently only uses one CPU core in XBMC for Windows due to some issue with the cabac patch (while the same XBMC video-player supports two CPU cores in XBMC for Linux and Mac, the developers are working on fixing that issue). Know also that FFmpeg are currently working on developing better multi-core support as part of a Google Summer of Code project: http://code.google.com/soc/2008/ffmpeg/appinfo.html?csaid=9FD2BF705A5D5DBB

[stacked]

Wouldn't a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz (Dual-Core) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272) be enough to run 1080p smoothly?

[supernoman]

I'll let you know soon. I bought one to upgrade a BE2400 which stutters at the bird scene in planet earth aka "killa sample."
Well it's actually a secondary build. The BE2400 is going to the bedroom and the 6000+ will be in the living room.
Note that the BE2400 plays pretty much everything else I have in 1080p just fine.

Wouldn't a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz (Dual-Core) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272) be enough to run 1080p smoothly?

[stacked]

I'll let you know soon. I bought one to upgrade a BE2400 which stutters at the bird scene in planet earth aka "killa sample."
Well it's actually a secondary build. The BE2400 is going to the bedroom and the 6000+ will be in the living room.
Note that the BE2400 plays pretty much everything else I have in 1080p just fine.

I'll be waiting...

[Louike]

Wouldn't a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz (Dual-Core) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272) be enough to run 1080p smoothly?

Yes plenty, i use an older X2 6000+ at 3.0ghz.

[supernoman]

Hmmm...Still stutters in "killa sample" but much less than the BE2400. I guess it doesn't like AMD processors. If I get annoyed with this enough, I'll switch to Intel. I know my old E4500 didn't have problems so I'll use a E7200 I have.

I'll be waiting...

[AndersUk]

I found this Benchmark Review (http://www.techpowerup.com/78298/First_Series_of_AMD_Kuma_Benchmarks_Posted.html) of the upcoming AMD Kuma CPU very interesting. It seems to hold it's own, but does really well in the wPrime test (which I read as a pure CPU grunt type benchmark).

As XBMC is a CPU intensive application this may be an option for people not wanting to go down the Intel route...

[dpassent]

stuttering can have NOTHING to do with CPU load... Your CPU can run at 50% load and you can still notice stuttering. I can be caused by refreshrate, jitter, etc...

DP

[supernoman]

The AMD 6000+ I put in is pegged at 90+% on both cores when running the killa sample. Unless I'm missing something else, I think it's the CPU. Has someone else gotten the killa sample to play smoothly on AMD?
My resolution is 1080P 60Hz.

My symptom with that sample video is that it will start, the pause a little, then "fast forward" a little to catch up, and then repeat. It's not unwatchable but I'm guessing there are dropped frames.

stuttering can have NOTHING to do with CPU load... Your CPU can run at 50% load and you can still notice stuttering. I can be caused by refreshrate, jitter, etc...

DP

[dpassent]

I don't know if it is your CPU but even if you get twice more powerful CPU - you will see judder. Killer Sample AKA Bird Clip is 23.98fps. Without changing refreshrate it won't ever play smoothly on 60Hz. Change your refresh rate to 24Hz (or 48) and try again...

DP

[supernoman]

BTW, I don't see this stutter problem in WMP and CPU usage is of course, lower.
I'll try to see if adjusting the refresh rate helps in XBMC.

I don't know if it is your CPU but even if you get twice more powerful CPU - you will see judder. Killer Sample AKA Bird Clip is 23.98fps. Without changing refreshrate it won't ever play smoothly on 60Hz. Change your refresh rate to 24Hz (or 48) and try again...

DP

[stacked]

BTW, I don't see this stutter problem in WMP and CPU usage is of course, lower.
I'll try to see if adjusting the refresh rate helps in XBMC.

How low is your CPU when you play the killa sample with players other than XBMC? (try MPC)

I've been reading from other forums and I think this cpu is powerful enough to play 1080p smoothly with the right player, codecs, and settings. Some people said that you need a really fast cpu to play 1080p in XBMC since XBMC doesn't support hardware acceleration.

[supernoman]

That's true. The XBMC does not currently use hardware acceleration that's why I tried upping the CPU from BE2400 (2.3 GHz) to the AMD 6000+ (3.1GHz).

I don't have any issues with 1080P in WMP for either processor. I usually install Cole2K codec pack and I'm good to go for windows playback.

How low is your CPU when you play the killa sample with players other than XBMC? (try MPC)

I've been reading from other forums and I think this cpu is powerful enough to play 1080p smoothly with the right player, codecs, and settings. Some people said that you need a really fast cpu to play 1080p in XBMC since XBMC doesn't support hardware acceleration.

[eriksmith200]

The AMD 6000+ I put in is pegged at 90+% on both cores when running the killa sample. Unless I'm missing something else, I think it's the CPU. Has someone else gotten the killa sample to play smoothly on AMD?
My resolution is 1080P 60Hz.

My symptom with that sample video is that it will start, the pause a little, then "fast forward" a little to catch up, and then repeat. It's not unwatchable but I'm guessing there are dropped frames.

If you can "almost" run the killa sample then you can play any properly encoded file without any problems. So AMD 6000+ is more than enough for 1080p unless you throw something broken like the killa sample at it.

[supernoman]

I know. I can pretty much play any 1080P material on the 6000+. With the BE2400, Appleseed 1080P did have some areas where it appeared to skip frames but one could easily miss it.
I still might go with my Intel C2D 7200 once I can find the board I want at a reasonable price or try a phemon. Any one have a phenom that plays the killa sample in XMBC without stutter? I would be interested in the lowest speed/cost phenom.

If you can "almost" run the killa sample then you can play any properly encoded file without any problems. So AMD 6000+ is more than enough for 1080p unless you throw something broken like the killa sample at it.

[popy]

Hello.

Ill have the 4850e and had also 1080p problems :sad::sad:

Please read my thread here:

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42233

My Mainboard just supports 6000+, is this enougth?

If not, then ill must buy a new intel mainboard and an C2D :sad::sad:

Thanks for your info
pOpY