Intergrated or discrete mobo for HTPC

[getafix33]

I need to make a decision.

I want to upgrade my HTPC. I don't know if I should buy a mobo with integrated graphics (on board HDMi) or a standard board and then a separate graphics card.
I won't be playing games, but will be going some video editing so onboard firewire port will be great.
I have 2 150mce cards which will take up 2 PCi slots and most boards dont have more than 2-3 so it needs to have onboard SPDIF out.
It must play back 1080p without a glitch. I have bought a internal dvd drive that plays blu ray as well as HD (from eBay R1280.00)

What are the ideas?

These are some links to boards that I am looking at.

This one. I know it is an Ausie site but I have family who are coming back in 2 weeks.

This one. No onboard SPDIF (will have to buy a connector) or firewire port - bummer

This one. I will then need to buy a GPU card, also no firewire port, but it does have 3 PCi slots so I can plug in a firewire card.

Any opinions would be welcomed. I am tending towards an intergrated system and if I am not happy I can still buy a separate GPU card later.

ANy ideas

 

[Gnome]

My opinion is that integrated video is a bonus with HTPC's because the PC, A) Draws less power B) Generates more heat and C) It fulfills every need of a HTPC.

Onboard audio on the other hand I don't like on a HTPC, because A) It doesn't sound as good as off board audio (I can list quite a few examples) B) It has far too few connectors and is therefore not as versatile and C) Off board audio doesn't require massive amounts of power or generate huge amounts of heat, only problem really is price.

So I think get a system with Integrated Graphics that suits your needs and get some decent off board audio, all HTPC cases I've seen support PCI cards and some of the cheaper sound cards (esp. Sound Blaster), specifically have low profiles, so they are perfect for those difficult cases.

 

[getafix33]

Thanks for the reply

I already have this audio card which I have been using for a while.

I think that I am going to go for the Giga-byte board (the one from Aus) as it has received excellent reviews. I might have to change my capture cards to a Hauppauge 500 (2 x 150's) to allow for the use of my audio card.

 

[Gnome]

Thanks for the reply

Cool

I already have this audio card which I have been using for a while.

I bought a sound card card from that company a few years back, was a solid product.

I think that I am going to go for the Giga-byte board (the one from Aus) as it has received excellent reviews.

The Mobo looks good, does it have HDMI tho? I'd go with a AMD board that's got HDMI and the extra's like IEEE1394 if you need it.

I might have to change my capture cards to a Hauppauge 500 (2 x 150's) to allow for the use of my audio card.

I haven't looked at the capture cards yet tho so I've got no advice on that

Good luck

 

[getafix33]

Do you run a HTPC? If so what spec?

Here is a link to the board that I want to get.

Just reading the specs now and is pretty impressive.

I want to run an AMD 6000+ x2 with 2gb DDR2 800.

Let me know your opinions on the mobo

Cheers
G

Have a great evening.

 

[Gnome]

Do you run a HTPC? If so what spec?

Nope, don't really have the cash, I've assembled a few µATX based PC's tho so I know the motherboards (not the cases tho).

But the last one I assembled used a Asus motherboard based on the same chipset as the Gigabyte you posted so it's very similar. Great motherboard, esp. considering the price.

Here is a link to the board that I want to get.

Just reading the specs now and is pretty impressive.

I want to run an AMD 6000+ x2 with 2gb DDR2 800.

Let me know your opinions on the mobo

K sounds good, the spec on the motherboard look pretty solid, if you put a sound card in there it'll make for a great HTPC.

On the topic of the CPU, I have a AMD 6000+ currently and they run quite hot so to avoid noise you should try get after market cooling. Zalman or Thermalright, I currently have a Zalman on my 6000+ works great but the Thermalright should perform better and it costs close to the same amount.

The difference is the Zalman comes with a fan whereas for the Thermalright you have to buy your own fan, now this is actually a positive point really because the only gripe I have with the Zalman is the fan they use, only a Zalman fan will fit it (which isn't the greatest fan ever really), whereas with the Thermalright ANY 120mm will fit.

So basically I would recommend this CPU Cooler:

http://www.prophecy.co.za/thermalright-xp120-aluminum-fins-with-copper-heatpipes-p-19666.html

I know it's quite a steep price but you can use that on any current CPU (so if you upgrade you can use it there), and you should be able to run the CPU fan on the lowest speed setting (IE. Low noise).

Apart from that you should get a 120mm fan, I'm not exactly sure what to recommend because I've bought quite a few different 120mm's and they all disappointed me in terms of noise (they aren't loud just not as quite as I had hoped), perhaps some other members can make a recommendation.

I have to say tho, the best fans in terms of noise I've encountered so far is those that came with my Gigabyte Poseidon Case, they are very silent so Gigabyte might be worth a try.

EDIT: I just had a careful look at that coolers specs and seems the only socket it doesn't support is AM2, so best go with this combo (unless you really want to splash some cash or another member has a better recommendation):

http://www.prophecy.co.za/zalman-cnps9500-pack-requires-optional-mounting-clip-p-21385.html
http://www.prophecy.co.za/zalman-optional-clip-am2socketfsocketl1-9500-p-19655.html

/EDIT

Apart from that, I'd get some DDRII-800Mhz modules. If you're in Johannesburg take a look at Cyberdyne Systems, they sell Super Talent 1GB DDRII-800 Modules with 4-4-3-12 timings R314 per chip, or a 2GB kit for R610, incl. comes with Lifetime warranty. Those timings are hard to beat for that price.

They also sell Western Digital Green Power drives, which I would recommend for a HTPC because those drives have very LOW noise levels and they use less power also.

Btw. just throwing some idea's your way since some of this stuff might be more than what you want to spend, as always make up your mind about your own needs

Cheers
G

Have a great evening.

Same to you

 

[getafix33]

Geez, thanks so much for the helpful info.

I have a Zalman cooler for my AMD 3000+ cpu. I know it's old, but I wonder if it will fit????

I have just downloaded the Cyberdyne price list which I am going to sit and read through.
I have an account at Frontosa, but because I don't buy to often, I think they quote me standard retail prices.

That processor should handle HD playback quite comfortably? I am also thinking when DSTV finally switches to HD. I don't have bucks to spend on a quad core and the likes, so I am hoping it will do the trick.

Thanks again
G

 

[Gnome]

Geez, thanks so much for the helpful info.

No problem man.

I have a Zalman cooler for my AMD 3000+ cpu. I know it's old, but I wonder if it will fit????

If it is socket AM2 then it will fit, else it won't, don't even try it

I have just downloaded the Cyberdyne price list which I am going to sit and read through.
I have an account at Frontosa, but because I don't buy to often, I think they quote me standard retail prices.

Cyberdyne systems don't have the cheapest prices on everything but the two items I mentioned, the Western Digital Green Power Drive and the Super Talent 2GB DDRII-800 CL4 Kit is a good buy from them. The CPU you can get cheaper from other places and I don't like MSI motherboards (I ONLY buy Asus) so I usually get the rest of the stuff from Prophecy.co.za but FrontoSA works provided it's cheaper than Prophecy.

That processor should handle HD playback quite comfortably? I am also thinking when DSTV finally switches to HD. I don't have bucks to spend on a quad core and the likes, so I am hoping it will do the trick.

The 6000+ will decode 1080p comfortable, CPU power isn't a problem trust me, if you have Cool 'n' Quiet turned it will probably still run the CPU at either it's minimum setting or the middle setting depending on the content and how much decode assistance the video card provides (that onboard video does do decode assist provided you have the proper drivers installed).

With my GF8800GTS I can watch 1080p with my 6000+ CPU throttled to 1GHz and it plays back no problem.

You shouldn't worry about CPU power rather focus on the noise levels with a HTPC

 

[cyberarmy]

Get yourself a MB using 780G chipset, the intergrated graphics card is more than enough to do 1080P and other HD decoding.

 

[Gnome]

Get yourself a MB using 780G chipset, the intergrated graphics card is more than enough to do 1080P and other HD decoding.

The one he wants is based on the 780g

That's why I said so long as he has the latest drivers (FROM THE AMD/ATI WEBSITE NOT THE CD), he'll be fine

 

[yeldoom]

Edit:
OP, did you upgrade yet?

Nice to find another HTPC user

I'm also planning an upgrade for HD/Blu-Ray playback. My current system plays HD (720p/1080p) trailers.

AMD 3500+, Socket 939
Gigabyte K8N PVMT - onboard Nvidia 6150

Are socket 939's scare now? Most online shops don't have them anymore.