[danszczerba]

You are correct that for similarly priced chips the AMD APU will have better graphics performance than an Intel, however the Intel chip will have more CPU power. None of the things you listed in the OP are really stressful on graphics and XBMC is really more dependent on the CPU than the GPU.

That said, you can't really go wrong with either option. I'd just go with whatever you can get the best deal on. An A6-5400k would be a very nice chip but you could just as easily get by with an A4-4400 or A4-5300. Similarly you could go with an Intel G1610, G1630, or G3220. Once you make the decision to go with a full desktop class CPU then it just comes down to a best value decision if you are doing basic XBMC.

ok, message received :-)
your suggestion of an Intel chip, the G3220, has got my attention. it's priced cheaper than the A6-5400k, so, going by the above quote, can anybody tell me:
1-is there a link to a thread discussing this cpu, and if not-
2-is this a cpu i could use WITHOUT a graphic card for Windows, XBMC, VLC player, Internet, light browser gaming, and other diverse multi-media software?
3-any reason NOT to get this for a htpc?
4-please tell me the items below will do the job so i can stop racking my brain-i can't take it anymore!!! ;-)
-----cpu-Intel G3220- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116950
-----motherboard-Asrock H81M- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157448
or---motherboard-Asrock H81M ITX- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...20H81M-ITX

[wsume99]

That CPU and either of those MBs will do what you are asking.

[dagatech]

ok, message received :-)
your suggestion of an Intel chip, the G3220, has got my attention. it's priced cheaper than the A6-5400k, so, going by the above quote, can anybody tell me:
1-is there a link to a thread discussing this cpu, and if not-
2-is this a cpu i could use WITHOUT a graphic card for Windows, XBMC, VLC player, Internet, light browser gaming, and other diverse multi-media software?
3-any reason NOT to get this for a htpc?
4-please tell me the items below will do the job so i can stop racking my brain-i can't take it anymore!!! ;-)
-----cpu-Intel G3220- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116950
-----motherboard-Asrock H81M- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157448
or---motherboard-Asrock H81M ITX- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...20H81M-ITX

1) I don't know of any threads on this forum, and I've been looking because I'm about to get the same processor. I've found it discussed other places online though (do a google search)
2) yes. the onboard graphics should handle all of that.
3) I don't think this processor can handle 3D? other than that, or if you thought you would be doing any video editing or serious gaming, there aren't any concerns.
4) would be fine. You might consider bumping up to a B85 board as it would give you 2 additional SATA ports on the board, plus a couple additional USB connections. Just good for future proofing - I started my HTPC with 1tb of storage and within a year was at 4tb, and I don't consider myself a heavy downloader. Those hd files add up quick!