AMD or Intel for Media Center/Server

[mitra-]

Wich one would be the best choice for a micro atx media center / server?

With Intel I could buy an E2140/2160/2180 and a motherboard with G33, G35, Q35 or even RS600 / Xpress 1250.
On the other hand, with AMD I have the X2 BE-2350 and the AMD690G wich could be cheaper.

The CPU is an easy choice if I decide from one of the two platforms, Intel or AMD.
The questions are just two:

1. AMD or Intel?
2. For each platform, what is the best chipset? (G35 for Intel and 690G for AMD?) [don't forget the motherboard must be mATX, and it's for a Media Center / Server]

Thanks! :up:

[Northwood]

Intel has the performance crown so it's a no-brainer really.

[Serra]

Given that Intel currently has the better performance and a sweet price point, I can't imagine saying anything but Intel here.

[mitra-]

Ok then :P

But, wich one is the best Chipset?

- G33
- G35
- Q35
- RS600

I've made a "short" list of some motherboards if someone could help me choose one:

MSI G33M (G33)
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1184&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170#

GIGABYTE GA-Q35M-S2 (Q35)
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2728

GIGABYTE GA-G33M-S2H (G33)
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2600

GIGABYTE GA-G33M-DS2R (G33)
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2534

ABIT Fatal1ty F-I90HD (Xpress 1250)
http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=Fatal1ty+F-I90HD&fMTYPE=LGA775

ASRock 4Core1333-FullHD (RS600 + X1250)
http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=4Core1333-FullHD&s=775

ASUS P5E-VM DO (Q35)
http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=571&l4=0&model=1849&modelmenu=2

ASUS P5K-VM (G33)
http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=542&l4=0&model=1690&modelmenu=2

ASUS P5E-VM HDMI (G35)
http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=584

[zanzabar]

look at the gigabyte d3s and get a 2600xt or a 2900gt that will give u the best picture for the cheapest, if u want it to beable to do basic gaming get teh 3850, but dont get an nv card for video and media stuff it wont work out very good as well as costing about $50 extra

[Marvin_The_Martian]

look at the gigabyte d3s and get a 2600xt or a 2900gt that will give u the best picture for the cheapest, if u want it to beable to do basic gaming get teh 3850, but dont get an nv card for video and media stuff it wont work out very good as well as costing about $50 extra

Why those gpu's? hd3850 has way better specs ( uvd for instance ).

[zanzabar]

uvd just means that it dose h/x264, vc-1 and mpeg on 1 chip the 2900 uses 2 chips so its not uvd but it dose the same thing and the 2600 has it, those are just the cheapest that will get it going

[Marvin_The_Martian]

uvd just means that it dose h/x264, vc-1 and mpeg on 1 chip the 2900 uses 2 chips so its not uvd but it dose the same thing and the 2600 has it, those are just the cheapest that will get it going

2900pro does not offload the cpu, 2600 for the money isn't worth it imho. I would take the 3850 or wait for the lower models to be released ( or am I running behind lol )

[zanzabar]

thats what i would do or go for the 3600 its out in like 2 weeks and should have only 55W, but that or the 3850 will be ur best picks