ZOTAC A75ITX-A-E WiFi SKT FM1

[cadaveca]

To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/A75-ITX_WiFi/

[Daimus]

Thank you Cadaveca for one of the most exciting revue, which i read.
Nice board! Who cares about overclocking on HTPC. Will order a board, had long wanted to build a small media center.

[NHKS]

Nice review Dave!.. as with your other reviews, the quality and angle of photos is top notch and makes the read even more involving..

I would like to know if you have any plans to review the P8Z77-I Deluxe.. thanks!

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by Daimus

Thank you Cadaveca for one of the most exciting revue, which i read.
Nice board! Who cares about overclocking on HTPC. Will order a board, had long wanted to build a small media center.

Yeah, for that, it's nearly perfect. WiFi, Bluetooth, Dual LAN, lots of USB 3.0 for external HDD, and decent GPU and CPU grunt, while sipping the power. IF you ahve any issues, let me know, but I doubt you will.

Originally Posted by NHKS

Nice review Dave!.. as with your other reviews, the quality and angle of photos is top notch and makes the read even more involving..

I would like to know if you have any plans to review the P8Z77-I Deluxe.. thanks!

Can't comment too much about what boards I'll be doing...I do have hardware here to cover about 8 weeks of reviews, so you'll just have to read them all!

[LTUGamer]

6X USB 3.0 at back and two at front panel + 2X USB 2.0 in front. Not bad for mITX

In my opinion there is no point to pay 140$ for HTPC motherboard. I would take cheaper without additional features ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA ... (+Wifi 10USD if you need this)

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by LTUGamer

6X USB 3.0 at back and two at front panel + 2X USB 2.0 in front. Not bad for mITX

In my opinion there is no point to pay 140$ for HTPC motherboard. I would take cheaper without additional features ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA ... (+Wifi 10USD if you need this)

I've never tried any AsRock product, and they don't send me samples, so they are a factor that does not exist me.


Plus, that board does not have Bluetooth/WiFi, where the $40 increase in cost is easily explained. Also one more LAN port on the ZOTAC, the USB stuff, etc...

[LTUGamer]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

I've never tried any AsRock product, and they don't send me samples, so they are a factor that does not exist me.


Plus, that board does not have Bluetooth/WiFi, where the $40 increase in cost is easily explained. Also one more LAN port on the ZOTAC, the USB stuff, etc...

4X USB 3.0 + 2.0 USB on rear is all I need. It is impossible to use eight USB 3.0 in one moment. And I have no idea why there are two LAN ports. USB + BT costs 26 USD.

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by LTUGamer

4X USB 3.0 + 2.0 USB on rear is all I need. It is impossible to use eight USB 3.0 in one moment. And I have no idea why there are two LAN ports. USB + BT costs 26 USD.

Sure, there is good reason for the number of different board makers, as each will have an audience no matter the function. To me, the difference in function and the parts used more than justifies the added cost. You are right, you don't NEED to spend so much, but at the same time, you don't NEED a HTPC.

With less functionality, the AsRock board you linked is a lesser product. It also has a lesser cost, so that's cool. That doesn't mean the ZOTAC board is bad because of it, it's just different, and that difference has a price. Maybe the VRM on the AsRock board draws more power, and then cost of ownership and usage is higher....

LAN ports, to me, are good, as well as required. Many TVs and such have network ports and such, and the ZOATC board has the ability to act as a wireless access point for the TV, or other net-enbabled devices, such as bluray players. TV and Bluray player net-enabled, means that AsRock board cannot support them all., even more so, since it doesn't have wireless.

The function is there for a reason, IMHO. If you want more out of your HTPC, the ZOTAC can do it. The Asrock, simply, cannot.