I'm in the process of speccing out a HTPC to replace the cable boxes in my house (via HDHomerun Prime), and I am stuck choosing between these CPUs. The main function of the system is going to be streaming live TV to my main TV and bedroom TV (Xbox 360 extender), DVR functionality, streaming movies, and maybe some BR playback/ripping. I know the Intel is faster in everything CPU related, but the iGPU in the A8 is the part that has me second guessing. Is the APU going to have any noticeable difference in image quality or anything of that nature? There will be zero gaming done on this system, so I'd like to avoid a discrete GPU if possible.
Keep in mind price is a wash. I can get the i3 and mobo from Microcenter for essentially the same price as the A8 and mobo online (MC doesn't carry the cpu, unfortunately).
Keep in mind price is a wash. I can get the i3 and mobo from Microcenter for essentially the same price as the A8 and mobo online (MC doesn't carry the cpu, unfortunately).
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