HELP!! HTPC Mobo Question

[Rick3464]

Ok, i'm in the process of building a HTPC. now i've been doing a lot of surfing and reading but now i'm confused as to which motherboard to use. i really like the Foxconn Cinema Premium,but the MSI MS-7411 motherboard is geared more as a all in one type board with jacks on the board to support component video out and a optional 5.1audio amp,where as the foxconn has the add on router/wifi with it.I looked at the boards from gigabyte but none really will fit the bill for what i'm after. so which would you buy? they both cost about the same.

 

[MadScientist]

I have a Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H micro H55 ATX MB, an Intel i3-530 CPU, and 4GB DD3 G.Skill ram in my HTPC. I'm using the onboard Intel HD graphics, which looks fine for now.

Here's a HTPC setup guide from AVS forums that may be helpful: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18816470#post18816470

The MSI MS-7411 is an older MB. Except for eBay it's hard to find. The Foxconn MB looks like the better choice, but there are newer and better MBs out there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186180
The included wifi/router card with the Foxconn is a plus but it's full size which limits your choices for cases, and I've found that wireless USB adapters, like the TRENDnet TEW-648UB IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 mini wireless adapter, work much better than wifi adapter cards.

For an AMD MB in your price range this would be my pick: GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128445