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HTPC motherboard / CPU/ Video Card choices

M

mpchen

Member
Hi there:
After having encountered numerous problems in setting up the old ATO HDTV WOnder card on a low end Celeron D/ ATI 9250 video/ Asus P5VDC-MX system, I have decided to build a complete new mid-level HTPC system to watch HDTV on my monitor ( DVI-D ) and possibly connect it to a future widescreen HDTV LCD sytem in the future. My budget is flexible but probably not ready to spend too much on it. I would welcome your ideas and suggestions as to which Motherboard, CPU, Video Card and HDTV Tuner should I purchase. Is there any point of using my old ATI HDTV WOnder card which I have had so much trouble? SHould I pick Intel or AMD? Is a separate Graphics/Video card necessary? What CPU should I use? Any HDTV Tuner with good software DVR?

Thanks you in advance for your insights!

Michael
 
Either Intel or AMD are capable of working fine. For a semi-budget with great expansion capability, I'd look at the Nvidia 7050 based motherboards. Pair it up with a 65W 4200+ processor and it makes a great HTPC. This will give you nice DVI/HDMI output right from the board with nice onboard sound too. When you get ready for HD DVD or BluRay, you'll need something like an 8600GT or 2600Pro video card, but not until you go HD.

I favor the AMD platforms at the moment when not used with an external video card. If you don't mind spending ~$100-$130 on a nice 8600gt, then you open up the Intel options.

For motherboards, this looks interesting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813157116
 
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