[Malosar]

I managed to obtain a new A6-3600 free with a recent printer purchase for work. My current HTPC configuration is an E-350 Windows 7 PC running XBMC 11, MCE+Ceton cable card on an SSD.

I can pickup a very cheap Gigabyte A55 motherboard for the A6 and re-use the rest of the equipment for a total investment of $40 for the upgrade. (edit: I'll need a CPU fan as well I guess)

The question is, will it be worth the hassle of re-doing the entire HTPC configuration? I'll gain 3D bluray support (if I ever get a 3D TV anytime soon) and it should definitely perform somewhat better in XBMC navigation.

Also will the A6-3600 be powerful enough to play 10bit MKV's with the latest nightlies supporting them?

[prawnee]

Is it worth the hassle? Well that's up for you to decide. Worth the upgrade? No question. Not knocking the e350 because I've got one myself as well as a A6. Of course if you can't be bothered you could always send it on to me

[Malosar]

Thanks. Seems it's quite an order of magnitude for pure CPU power between the 2 so looking like it's worth the time and money.

From some searches it looks as though it should be fine with high bitrate 10bit MKVs as well.

Trying to figure out what heatsink to buy. I have this Silverstone case so I do have some room to play with but most FM1 cpu fans I've been looking at are huge. Couple of low profile ones block RAM slots which is useless.

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah, for that cost it is worth it.

[Dougie Fresh]

Trying to figure out what heatsink to buy. I have this Silverstone case so I do have some room to play with but most FM1 cpu fans I've been looking at are huge. Couple of low profile ones block RAM slots which is useless.

This is always a good choice:

Scythe SCBSK-2100 120mm Sleeve BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835185174

[Malosar]

This is always a good choice:

Scythe SCBSK-2100 120mm Sleeve BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835185174

I was initially looking at that one but everything I've read (and from the physical size of it), indicates it will prevent me from installing any RAM in that motherboard.

Perhaps this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835185176

[Dougie Fresh]

Which RAM are you using?

If you need something a little taller and not quite as wide: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835185097

[poofyhairguy]

The BIG Shuriken 2 has clearance for RAM. If you are nervous get half-height sticks. It is a great cooler.

[Malosar]

I'm not going to be buying new RAM since I'll be reusing the rest of the components. I'm simply replacing the CPU + Motherboard.

That SCSK-1100 looks more promising, seems to be higher clearance and might be enough. This is my current RAM which has a height of 32mm.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231317

Given the 64mm height of the SCSK-1100 and its mounting atop the CPU, I think I might be good.

[Dougie Fresh]

That RAM will fit with the Big Shuriken without problem. It's the same height as the G-Skill DDR3 CL8 RAM I used with it for years.

See this thread:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=128009

This picture with taller heatsinks:

[lagledavid]

[quote='Malosar' pid='1130596' dateline='1340116066']
I managed to obtain a new A6-3600 free with a recent printer purchase for work. My current HTPC configuration is an E-350 Windows 7 PC running XBMC 11, MCE+Ceton cable card on an SSD.

I can pickup a very cheap Gigabyte A55 motherboard for the A6 and re-use the rest of the equipment for a total investment of $40 for the upgrade. (edit: I'll need a CPU fan as well I guess)

what im seeing here is no HDMI so i would assume that you would need to buy a griphics card or for a few bucks more you could get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157277 (ASRock A55M-HVS FM1 AMD A55 (Hudson D2) HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard) for $54 shipped

[Malosar]

Argh I didn't even notice that, used to assuming APU boards having HDMI out.

Thanks for the ASRock suggestion, looks good!

[Malosar]

I love newegg. They send me an email today with a bunch of AMD board suggestions, including that ASRock with a $10 off promo code. So I got it for $43 with free shipping.

[Mick1152]

Yes, Newegg is pretty good with coupons. Generally, if you find everything you want, add it to your cart while logged in and then leave it there for a few days they will email you additional coupons for some of the items to get you to pull the trigger.

[Beer40oz]

You can give me the A6-3600 I can give it a good home if you like....