Motherboard query...

[pbeverley82]

First off, I've searched around a bit through past posts and nothing really answers my question.

Is there a sort of "HTPC norm" motherboard that you guys are using or recommending?

What I want is to be able to watch anything in the usual 1080p, 7.1 surround, watch-one-record-one telly, and the occasional game here and there. Something with a fair bit of grunt for a fair price.

Thanks

 

[graham.myers]

gigabyte h67m-ud2h-b3 with an i3 2100 cpu. Zacate and Atoms probably wont cut it

 

[Stephen Neal]

What do you want to do with your HTPC and what capabilities do you need in audio output and refresh rate terms?

1. If you want to watch streamed online stuff (iPlayer HD etc.) then you need a decent CPU - as not all streaming can be hardware accelerated in the GPU.

2. Do you want to re-encode video on your HTPC - convert DVDs or Blu-rays to a form you can play on your iPhone or iPad for instance? If so, again, a decent CPU is needed.

3. If you want to stream lossless audio (Dolby True HD, DTS HD MA) from Blu-rays via HDMI to your amp, then you need something that supports that.

4. If you want to watch 1080p Blu-rays on a display that supports "24p True Cinema" or similar you need a GPU or IGP that supports 23.976Hz refresh rate (otherwise you're likely to get a repeated frame stutter every 40" or so)

Of the integrated solutions :

AMD Zacate meets 3. and 4. but not 1. and 2.
Atom + Ion meets 4, doesn't fully meet 3 (but can decode to PCM 5.1/7.1 with some limitations), and doesn't meet 1. and 2.
CULV + Ion meets 4, doesn't fully meet 3 (but can decode as above) and does a lot better with 1. and 2. (but is rare)
i3 Clarkdale meets 1,2 and 3 - but struggles with 4.
i3 Sandy Bridge meets 1,2 and 3, and can almost do 4 with some limitations - but not perfectly.
Skt 775 Core2Duo + nVidia 9400 can meet 4, 1 and 2 and not fully meet 3 (but decodes to PCM 5.1/7.1) - but are rare (possibly still Mini-ITX available)

If 3. and 4. are important AND you want some CPU grunt - you're looking at an ATI 5450/6450 or better (or an nVidia equivalent) graphics card as none of the on-board stuff will suit. Then you can chose an AMD or Intel CPU purely for performance (and power consumption and ignore video / audio issues)

 

[namuk]

HTPC = never Buy for current situation you will spend more in the long run, the Mb is one of the most important parts of the build Due to upgradable to current specs.

just get a highend i7 or even sandybridge mb. job done , see you in 5 years or more (depends if lesser Quality parts are used).

 

[pbeverley82]

What do you want to do with your HTPC and what capabilities do you need in audio output and refresh rate terms?

1. If you want to watch streamed online stuff (iPlayer HD etc.) then you need a decent CPU - as not all streaming can be hardware accelerated in the GPU.

2. Do you want to re-encode video on your HTPC - convert DVDs or Blu-rays to a form you can play on your iPhone or iPad for instance? If so, again, a decent CPU is needed.

3. If you want to stream lossless audio (Dolby True HD, DTS HD MA) from Blu-rays via HDMI to your amp, then you need something that supports that.

4. If you want to watch 1080p Blu-rays on a display that supports "24p True Cinema" or similar you need a GPU or IGP that supports 23.976Hz refresh rate (otherwise you're likely to get a repeated frame stutter every 40" or so)

Of the integrated solutions :

AMD Zacate meets 3. and 4. but not 1. and 2.
Atom + Ion meets 4, doesn't fully meet 3 (but can decode to PCM 5.1/7.1 with some limitations), and doesn't meet 1. and 2.
CULV + Ion meets 4, doesn't fully meet 3 (but can decode as above) and does a lot better with 1. and 2. (but is rare)
i3 Clarkdale meets 1,2 and 3 - but struggles with 4.
i3 Sandy Bridge meets 1,2 and 3, and can almost do 4 with some limitations - but not perfectly.
Skt 775 Core2Duo + nVidia 9400 can meet 4, 1 and 2 and not fully meet 3 (but decodes to PCM 5.1/7.1) - but are rare (possibly still Mini-ITX available)

If 3. and 4. are important AND you want some CPU grunt - you're looking at an ATI 5450/6450 or better (or an nVidia equivalent) graphics card as none of the on-board stuff will suit. Then you can chose an AMD or Intel CPU purely for performance (and power consumption and ignore video / audio issues)

Any Sandy Bridge MB recommendations? My amp takes 7.1 and optical... mini-ATX or ATX is fine.

 

[graham.myers]

see my post - thats a sandybridge board

 

[pbeverley82]

Helpful - thanks

Would 4gb RAM be enough do you think?

 

[graham.myers]

will be fine

 

[pbeverley82]

XFX HD 5770 1GB Single Slot Cooler Edition 850MHz Dual.. | Ebuyer.com

Any good?

 

[pbeverley82]

I'll take that as a no then, lol

 

[pbeverley82]

Can anyone recommend a video card? Would be grateful... Something suitable for HD content and the occasional game? Thanks

 

[TimOo94]

Really depends on what game you plan on playing.

If you don't plan on gaming the 5450 can be picked up for ~£25 which will easily be able to handle 1080p and can bitstream hd audio, however its not a card for gaming.

 

[Stephen Neal]

Any Sandy Bridge MB recommendations? My amp takes 7.1 and optical... mini-ATX or ATX is fine.

Do you mean your amp takes both HDMI audio and optical ? If HDMI does it support Dolby True HD/DTS HD Master Audio or High Resolution or multichannel PCM?

The Clarkdale and Sandy Bridge on-die graphics will also deliver HDMI audio with True HD/DTS HD MA/HR or PCM 5.1/7.1 decoded in PowerDVD etc.

However there are 24/23.976Hz output issues (important if you have a TV that accepts "24p") which means a 5450 would be the minimum if you need stutter-free 24/23.976Hz output and HDMI audio bitstreamed.