Is is worth buying the low power cpus (such as I3-4130T) for a media centre that will plex/transcode/stream to other TVs?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Is is worth buying the low power cpus (such as I3-4130T) for a media centre that will plex/transcode/stream to other TVs?

new2nz

95 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#146659 25-May-2014 14:39

If the system is going to be idle most of the time (but on all the time too)?

I'm going to build something along the lines of http://blog.codinghorror.com/the-2013-htpc-build/ and I can't seem to find any online retailers in NZ.

Can anyone suggest where one looks to purchase something like that?

ukanian now in Albany, Auckland (I'm told that that's just North of NZ :-)

mjb125b

11 posts

Geek

#1115505 25-Aug-2014 21:18

I am about to build my second HTPC (correcting the mistakes of my first) and was on the lookout for this processor.

Found one eventually http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116947

TDP is only 35W so should run cool and quiet

Glassboy

851 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1115536 25-Aug-2014 22:01

What's the benefit over a NUC?

Disrespective

1934 posts

Uber Geek
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#1115645 26-Aug-2014 08:39

Glassboy: What's the benefit over a NUC?

More sata headers?

Inphinity

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Uber Geek
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#1115661 26-Aug-2014 09:15

Well, there's no real disadvantage to using a low power CPU for this sort of implementation, and the low power (and lower cooling) requirements are benefits. They are not typically stocked by NZ retailers though, as they are very low demand. Plenty of overseas sources though, especially now that NewEgg officially ship here.

mjb125b

11 posts

Geek

#1116832 27-Aug-2014 20:27

Storing my media locally and want to be able to play the odd Blu Ray as well. So went with my own build over an NUC. The I3 4130T should have plenty of power for an HTPC but very low heat (and cooling)