Motherboard /video for HTPC

[mdonovan]

I've been researching for my HTPC, and I can't decide which motherboard to get. I was figuring on getting a motherboard with onboard HDMI, but the reviews I've read about these were not very good, so now I'm looking at mobo/video card. What are the experts here using for your HTPC? I want 1080p output to a 52" LCD. I'll be using Vista Media Center to play ripped music and video. The G45 chipset apparently has very immature drivers. I have a motherboard for my regular PC with a new nVidia chipset that has bad drivers too and crashes when I play a ripped DVD.

So, what are the experts using?

Matt

 

[GraysonPeddie]

I played Blu-Ray movies with 128MB shared memory and no problems with my AMD 780G chipset.

Here's what I'll suggest:

Motherboard:
Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G mATX Motherboard
Price: $66.99

Processor:
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz AM2 Processor
Price: $66.66

Memory:
AllComponents 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Price: $67.99

Hard Drive:
WD 1TB GreenPower Hard Drive
Price: $129.99

Computer Case (w/ 270w PSU)
hec Black 7KJ9 mATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Price: $49.99

DVD Burner:
ASUS DVD Burner
Price: $23.99

Total price: $405.61

 

[Sacedog]

A lot of HAPCs are built using the Abit IP35 (they now have an IP45 with a few more bells and whisltes). I used this board, and it is VERY stable, and has a lot of great features. Take a look at the Sage TV forum for more opinions (It's not WMC, but they all build Media Center PCs just the same).

 

[mdonovan]

I played Blu-Ray movies with 128MB shared memory and no problems with my AMD 780G chipset.

Here's what I'll suggest:

<Snip>

Total price: $405.61

Thanks for that list. Although I'm more of an Intel person I'll take a good look at what you suggest (especially for ~$400! I was looking at $1000!) Do you use Vista Media Center? Do you play ripped DVD's from a hard drive? (that's where my current mobo has a big problem).

Matt

 

[GraysonPeddie]

For legal reasons, I don't rip DVDs, however I do watch movies that came from Netflix (Blu-Ray). Plus, I do take advantage of Windows Media Center. For example, I've rented movies from CinemaNow for $3 (depending on a movie), and it's great! I once use TVTonic for watching content (mostly technology, but it takes a while to download content with a very fast cable modem). I plan to get an ATSC tuner, so I can record shows that came from broadcasting towers through the antenna (I get CBS HD, ABC HD, FOX HD, CW (within Fox's subchannel), and PBS, but can't get NBC due to broadcasting real channel 2 which is remapped to 40.1). I like to go to Hulu.com or Joost.com, even ABC.com or NBC.com, but my experience is not worth it because I am very comfortable with Windows Media Center.

Anyway, it's important to be open-minded. Yes, I can list the CPU and motherboard from Intel, but I'm very familiar with AMD and its pricing. With a 4850e, playing Blu-Ray is no problem. I could even rip DVDs (again, I don't want to get into legal trouble in USA). I once bought a 4050e, but could've got a 4850e for $20 more (I bought it for ~$59). So, even with a 4050e, still no problem. 780G chipset comes with a Universal Video Decoder (UVD, for short) if I remember correctly. It frees up CPU for Blu-Ray playback.

By the way, that 780G chipset supports Hybrid Crossfire.
Here's a good video card: SAPPHIRE 100233HDMI Radeon HD 3450 256MB Video Card

If you have more money left, you can exchange the DVD Burner and go with a Blu-Ray drive if you want to watch movies.

 

[CollinR]

That Abit IP35 is the best advise you have gotten.

Nvidia 85 or 8600GT specifically something ~like~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814500049
However I have never used that specific card, it has all you want with nothing you don't.

EDIT: Oh yeah run XP and get SageTV and a bunch of extenders and use any old video card.

 

[mdonovan]

That Abit IP35 is the best advise you have gotten.

Nvidia 85 or 8600GT specifically something ~like~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814500049
However I have never used that specific card, it has all you want with nothing you don't.

EDIT: Oh yeah run XP and get SageTV and a bunch of extenders and use any old video card.

Looks like NewEgg "deactivated the Abit MB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813127030

After looking over the reviews of the FoxConn AMD MB, I'm starting to lean that way. Plus the CPU is cheaper, and runs at a lower wattage. Decisions Decisions!

Matt

 

[IVB]

Sage HDExtender, and a cheapo tablet for the CD/XM/HA portion.

Matter of fact, i'm selling one 3400, and about to pull the second one off the wall and sell that off as I just got a nicer unit...

 

[felixrosbergen]

There is no real need for Crossfire and SLI in a application of a HA server with a possible future connection via HDMI to a HDTV right?

I mean a single videocard should be able to play back a DVD.

 

[IVB]

Yeah, can't imagine needing that just for SD-DVDs. That's more for 3D performance, which is more of a gaming thing.

 

[Micah]

I recently installed an Asus P5Q-EM. I know you said you weren't impressed with the current drivers for the G45 chipset but I haven't run into any of the issues that some others have reported and am quite happy with it's performance and features.

So far it's been an excellent replacement for a Gigabyte board I had been using before. You might give it a shot if you're still willing to try the G45 chipset.

 

[CollinR]

My only problem with that board is expansion, it only has 2 PCIe x1 and 1 PCI slot. For HTPC use you want the more the merrier when it comes to that area.

ICH10R southbridge is a nice feature.

It would probably be very nice for client box but a server IMHO needs more expansion.

 

[mdonovan]

I recently installed an Asus P5Q-EM. I know you said you weren't impressed with the current drivers for the G45 chipset but I haven't run into any of the issues that some others have reported and am quite happy with it's performance and features.

So far it's been an excellent replacement for a Gigabyte board I had been using before. You might give it a shot if you're still willing to try the G45 chipset.

I currently have an Asus motherboard with the G45 chipset. I use it for general computing. I used it to rip my DVD's to the hard drive, and as a proof of concept for the media center pc, and when I play ripped DVD's, it will play fine for a while, then the video will start stuttering and the screen starts blacking out, then the whole thing hangs and has to be powered off and back on to use it again. I know certain video types do not trigger this problem (don't recall off hand which ones), but for what I want to do with it the G45 chipset is a no go as it stands now. For general use and playing a couple games, it works great. It's just when I try to play videos the thing goes haywire.

Matt

 

[CollinR]

Your system has a config problem as MPEG2 480p is no sweat for that system. Also if it were a hardware limitation it would be the X4500HD rather then the G45 itself.

 

[Micah]

My only problem with that board is expansion, it only has 2 PCIe x1 and 1 PCI slot. For HTPC use you want the more the merrier when it comes to that area.

ICH10R southbridge is a nice feature.

It would probably be very nice for client box but a server IMHO needs more expansion.

Not to be obtuse, but why would you need more? In my setup, the media server and htpc are two different beasts. I was using a normal ATX setup with separate video card, which worked fine but now that you can get HDMI and decent on board sound, what else is needed that this flavor of motherboard can't do?

I currently have an Asus motherboard with the G45 chipset. I use it for general computing. I used it to rip my DVD's to the hard drive, and as a proof of concept for the media center pc, and when I play ripped DVD's, it will play fine for a while, then the video will start stuttering and the screen starts blacking out, then the whole thing hangs and has to be powered off and back on to use it again. I know certain video types do not trigger this problem (don't recall off hand which ones), but for what I want to do with it the G45 chipset is a no go as it stands now. For general use and playing a couple games, it works great. It's just when I try to play videos the thing goes haywire.

Sorry to hear you're having that kind of trouble, Matt. Don't know what to say other than the Asus I linked to has been rock solid for me when playing ripped DVDs via ZP. I haven't had to do anything with it in nearly a month (including reboot it) since I set it up and I usually watch a few movies a week with it.