HTPC Cheapest intel processor for 1080p playback

Then what do you stand to gain from offloading to the GPU?

 

I was talking 1080p on CPU only - CoreAVC is highly threaded so even the low clock will work on the 65W Phenom X4s. In some cases the 4850e wont handle 1080p on CPU only - it depends on the material being played and the player.

 

Lower cpu utilisation, which i would imagine would lead to lower heat and possibly less power usuage

 

really? ive not found any cases where the 4850e cant handle it yet, although to be fair i generally only go for 15GB material and less

 

Well Ive got an 8GB DTS 6.1 x.264 1080p mkv that chugs w/o GPU accel on a 4850e.

Everything else works perfectly fine.

 

Are you sure it uses the correct codec for video? As far as I recall there're some differences between H.264 and x.264. Also, did you try throwing DivX 7 at it? I have to admit I'm pretty wowed by the performance I've seen so far.

 

Probably not, but it will handle sound and video better and with less lag than the E5200