AMD 890gx: for use as video card less computer, file server, and future htpc?

[legocitytruck]

I'm planning on building a computer that will be used as a light load computer (word, excel, email, no gaming), a file server (always on with 4 or 5 HDDs in some sort of RAID array, will provide photos to other computers in the house and files for myself at work), and eventually a simple HTPC.

Is it possible to build the machine around an AMD 890gx motherboard and not need to purchase a video card? Will the on board video/sound be adequate for blue-ray/ dvd playback on a HD 25in 1900x1080 screen?

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

yes

 

[xd_1771]

The HD 4290 on the 890GX is the most powerful integrated graphics solution on the market. It's definitely more than enough for blu-ray playback.

 

[deimos3428]

The HD 4290 on the 890GX is the most powerful integrated graphics solution on the market. It's definitely more than enough for blu-ray playback.

The 890GX is a perfect fit for your intended purpose.

 

[pitz]

Even a 790GX board if you can find a decent one on close-out, would do just fine. That's what I run here, Asus M4A78T-E.

 

[ModestGamer]

I've got a 760g board I built for the wifes parlor area in the house and hooked to our 47inch vizio and it has no problems playing bluerays with a lowly 9550 amd quad at 2.2ghz and 2gb of ram with win7 OS.

it'll be just fine.

 

[Vette73]

Yep I have a HTPC with the older 785g version. The 890gx would fit the bill well. It also should have 128mb of onboard memory for the video card.

Gigabyte makes good boards and asrock has some a little cheaper. Just make sure it supports the 6 core chip. That way the VRMs should be able to handle anything.