Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

Last post 03-04-2010 7:14 AM by mikinho. 25 replies.
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  • 01-04-2010 12:13 PM

    Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    Intel has officially launched the new "Clarkdale" CPU line.  The new CPUs include intel's latest GPU on-package.  The on-package GPU supports bitstreaming Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio, and offers a significant improvement in graphics quality over previous intel IGPs as well as competitor IGPs.  The Core i3 appears to be the chip to build your HTPC around.  Now let's get an truly integrated blu-ray player in W7 MC that supports bitstreaming with these IGPs and playing from folders and we'll be set!

     Anand's review and benchmarks are linked below:
    http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3704&p=3

  • 01-04-2010 12:22 PM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

     Wow! I have been waiting for something like this for a long time. I sure hope it delivers on what it promises!!  Smile

    NMedia Wooden HTPC 8000 Case,64 bit 7 Ultimate,Core i7 860 3.15 gigahertz,Gigabyte P55-UD4P MB,4 GB DDR3 Cosair memory,74GB Raptor (OS),2 WD640GB Caviar Blacks (Raid 0) storage,LG GGC-H20L BluRay drive,ASUS D2X Sound Card,Fusion HDTV5Gold tuner card,Hauppauge HVR - 1600 tuner card,HD Homerun Dual Tuner,Nvidia 8600 GTS video card,Zenith 32V37 HDTV,OTA / Dish Network~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  • 01-04-2010 12:43 PM In reply to

    • teddyboy16
    • Top 75 Contributor
    • Joined on 03-16-2006
    • Oceanside, CA USA
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    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    There is an excellent review of the platform at missing remote from an HTPC perspective.

    http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4489&Itemid=236

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  • 01-05-2010 7:21 AM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    The folks at Arcsoft pointed me to this older piece as well.  It looks like the bitstreaming capability has been developed for TMT3 - hopefully we'll get some news from CES on when it will be released. 

     http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3648&p=8

    I realize PDVD9 already has bitstream support - but the inability to play from files is a show stopper for me.

  • 01-08-2010 12:43 AM In reply to

    • oesi
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 10-27-2009
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    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    Is it possible to connect in future the system to a 3d projector?

    My problem is that there are no connectors for hdmi 1.4. Have anyone information about 3d DVB, etc.?

     

  • 01-08-2010 11:44 AM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    With this processor, there will be no need to use codecs to play h.264 movies?

  • 01-08-2010 12:10 PM In reply to

    • mmatheny
    • Top 25 Contributor
    • Joined on 12-12-2008
    • Dickinson, TX
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    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    Well, the MB has the same failing as my current MB - the PCIex1 slot in front of the PCIex16 slot, blocking the GPU fan with anything you put in the PCIex1 slot. Unless the built in graphics are good enough to run hard core games, this will be an issue.

    Mike

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  • 01-19-2010 6:28 PM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    mmatheny:

    Well, the MB has the same failing as my current MB - the PCIex1 slot in front of the PCIex16 slot, blocking the GPU fan with anything you put in the PCIex1 slot. Unless the built in graphics are good enough to run hard core games, this will be an issue.

     True - but I doubt anyone into hardcore gaming would consider the on-board.  There will likely be multiple layouts to suite various user needs though.

     Does anyone have one built yet?  I'd like to get some owner experience reports.  I'll likely not be upgrading anytime soon as I typically buy 1-gen behind for all client PCs in the house.

  • 01-27-2010 5:29 PM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    Anand has a recent review of an actual core i3 vs. the underclocked i5 previously reviewed by multiple sites.  See below.

     http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3724

     So has anyone built a core i3 system?  Please post your experiences. 

  • 01-29-2010 8:58 AM In reply to

    • hbcondo
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    • Joined on 09-07-2006
    • Huntington Beach, CA
    • Member

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    It says DirectX 10 is built into the chip but DirectX 11 is practically here. Does this mean this chip is already out-of-date or can it be upgraded to support DirectX 11?

    HBCondo

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  • 01-29-2010 9:33 AM In reply to

    • mcewinter
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    • Joined on 04-09-2007
    • Chicago, Il.
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    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    I wouldn't rely on this chip for gaming, bit is ideal for MC.

    OS - Windows 7 64bit / MB - MA785GM-US2H (Gigabyte) / CPU - 705e X3 (AMD) / RAM - 4G DDR2 800 (Mushkin) / HD - 250gb(AAKS) + 1tb(FALS) (Western Digital) - AHCI Enabled / TV - HDHR (x2) + ATI550 (x2) / Moneual 301 HTPC Case

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  • 02-01-2010 10:50 AM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    mmatheny:

    Well, the MB has the same failing as my current MB - the PCIex1 slot in front of the PCIex16 slot, blocking the GPU fan with anything you put in the PCIex1 slot. Unless the built in graphics are good enough to run hard core games, this will be an issue.

     

    This setup is not really intended for gaming at all. The power of the GPU and CPU really don't lend themselves to the power hungry games of late.

    My VMC setup:
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  • 02-03-2010 5:42 PM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    rgreenpc:

    mmatheny:

    Well, the MB has the same failing as my current MB - the PCIex1 slot in front of the PCIex16 slot, blocking the GPU fan with anything you put in the PCIex1 slot. Unless the built in graphics are good enough to run hard core games, this will be an issue.

     

    This setup is not really intended for gaming at all. The power of the GPU and CPU really don't lend themselves to the power hungry games of late.

    Actually - the CPU looks ideal for games, when paired with a discrete GPU.  It overclocks like a beast - and most (all?) of today's games won't benefit from more than 2 cores.

    See:

    http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3724

     

     

  • 02-20-2010 10:47 AM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

    The last piece of the puzzle is in place for full featured blu-ray experience w/ your core i3 system.  Total Media Theatre 3 (TMT3) finally suports bit-streaming to the Core i3/i5 motherboards.

     http://www.arcsoft.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5194&PN=1

     

  • 02-20-2010 4:10 PM In reply to

    Re: Intel core i3 launched - the "holy grail" for HTPC

     

    anyone built an i3 system yet? i am SO fed up with ATI and RC runs out soon - my official w7  dvd is not going on my current motherboard cos ati can't sort their sh#t out ....
    Intel DH55HC, Intel Corei3 540 , 2GB DDR3 1033mhz(skint need more!), Nova-T500, Nova-S2, Skystar HD2 with CI (running motorized dish).
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