Can someone recommend...

[redmanmark86]

Hi there,

I'm looking to build a HTPC with a Micro ATX form factor, i have managed to choose all my parts, ram, case, processor but i can't decide on what motherboard to get? i don't mind the price as its gonna have to last a few years but i do want it to have HDMI out and Optical out so i can plug it into my TV and the possibilty of at some point having a Graphics card for gaming, looking at the ATI HD3870 cuz of the price...

so if anyone can suggest a really good Micro ATX motherboard it would be highly appreciated...

so far the main parts i have choosen are...

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (maybe the energy effeicent one, don't really know the difference)
Antec Black Fusion Case

 

[Woah Mama!]

I saw a cheap eVGA mATX motherboard on a Canadian site.. I can't remember which but it was one of the major ones. Ah, here it is. There is another 2 eVGA mATX boards there too for decent prices I guess.

 

[Pinchy]

You simply CANT go past the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R.

Its got all the features of a normal motherboard; RAID, 7.1 audio, 4x DDR2 800 RAM slots, Q6600 support etc etc AND has crossfire !

Its relatively cheap as well, I picked it up for $132 Aussie.

edit: found a link for ya: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24780&vpn=GA-G33M-DS2R&manufacture=Gigabyte

 

[WarEagleAU]

Nvidia and ATI have some great new HTPC boards out. HERE is probably one of the best for AMD and socket AM2. It has onboard sound but Asus doesnt use the Realtek codec on this one. HERE is the page with all the AMD boards with HDMI ports in them.

HERE is a page with Intel boards with HDMI out as well as normal boards without HDMI support.

Hope this helps. You didnt state what processor you had bought or anything like that.

 

[redmanmark86]

Hi WarEagleAU,

i stated i bought a Q6600 so need an intel based board...

what do you guys think of the ABIT Fatal1ty F-I90HD???

Also whats a good silent fan that will cool that processor silently but also fit in the case?

and thanks agianf or your help.

 

[redmanmark86]

You simply CANT go past the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R.

Its got all the features of a normal motherboard; RAID, 7.1 audio, 4x DDR2 800 RAM slots, Q6600 support etc etc AND has crossfire !

Its relatively cheap as well, I picked it up for $132 Aussie.

edit: found a link for ya: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24780&vpn=GA-G33M-DS2R&manufacture=Gigabyte

Hi Pinchy, it looks like a great board but lacks HDMI out

 

[Pinchy]

Hi Pinchy, it looks like a great board but lacks HDMI out

GA-G33M-S2H

No RAID, but HDMI!



If you really need RAID, just get the DSR2 + a 2400 or 8500GT .

 

[redmanmark86]

i dont need raid at all... im not going to use it...

just good on board graphics for now (till i buy a graphic card), with HDMI and Opticla Audio out, thats my only two must have requirements

 

[redmanmark86]

GA-G33M-S2H

No RAID, but HDMI!



If you really need RAID, just get the DSR2 + a 2400 or 8500GT .

I took a look at the motherboard you suggested and it got greeat reviews but apparantly the graphics is handicapped because the PCIe slot doesn't perform at 16x

 

[Pinchy]

I took a look at the motherboard you suggested and it got greeat reviews but apparantly the graphics is handicapped because the PCIe slot doesn't perform at 16x

I read that crossfire is handicapped because the second slot only runs at 4x. But, the first slot runs at the full 16x.

Thats from what I read. I still havent put a graphics card in mine, still running on onboard. (DS2R)

I'm going to put my X1950 PRO in it, but not until the end of Jan (when I buy the HD3850 for my comp )