HTPC

[bleucharm28]

Hey Guys/Gals

I'm looking to build an HTPC. I'm still don't what iTX motherboard to buy, still looking.

My concern is video graphic. Since most iTX motherboard has GPU built in, I do not need another video card. I can simply use the HDMI port and connect it to my 50 inch TV? How will resolution work out? the Sound comes through HDMI as well right? What if I decided to play some games like WoW, MW, CS, so on. (nothing graphic intensive like Metro 2033) What would that be like? (gaming is not really a concern, just curious)

If I can get any feedback from you all, I'd greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[Conroe]

I see some Zacate boards at newegg. They seem to be a little better at gaming than ION. That's not saying very much.

 

[llee]

that's going to be tough. there still isn't a very good 'integrated' graphics solution on the market. if you want to be playing games, especially on an HDTV, you need to get a dedicated card.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, if you want gaming at all, then you are going to want a normal, full-size, mid-range video card at the least. Which means likely no mini-ITX, but instead, a micro-ATX, and a case that allows full-height cards.

 

[Lonyo]

Yeah, if you want gaming at all, then you are going to want a normal, full-size, mid-range video card at the least. Which means likely no mini-ITX, but instead, a micro-ATX, and a case that allows full-height cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161342

That's about the best you can get for a low profile, passively cooled graphics card that would work for an HTPC and manage light gaming.
Not the fastest, but somewhat passable.

 

[bleucharm28]

Ok. so no gaming. Which is totally fine. I already have gaming machine

But as far watching movies online from Netflix, Youtube, play B-ray DVD, Surfing the web. That should be ok right?

 

[llee]

Yeah, if you want gaming at all, then you are going to want a normal, full-size, mid-range video card at the least. Which means likely no mini-ITX, but instead, a micro-ATX, and a case that allows full-height cards.

The Silverstone SG-05/6 cases are very nice Mini ITX cases that support dual slot graphics cards. There are also the Lian Li PC-Q07/8/9/11 cases that look very nice as well.

 

[bleucharm28]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112293

I really like because is so small. Problem is it only houses 1 2.5 inch drive bay.

Can I use notebook hard drives? Or just get like 40g SSD, and add an external hard drive for storage?

My concern is the sata and power connector on notebook hard drive, are they the same as regular internal 3.5 inch hard drive?

 

[llee]

notebook hard drives should fit in 2.5" drive bays.

 

[busydude]

If you can.. wait for Llano to hit the market.. it is slated for released in July and should fit your needs pretty well.

 

[llee]

Zacate blew SB out of the water when it came to integrated graphics performance. Unless Llano can double the performance of SB, I don't see reason to wait that long. Go for a small dedicated card, like the low-end HD 5000 series cards.

 

[bleucharm28]

hard drive question: The notebook 2.5 inch internal harddrive power and sata port are the same ones as on the regular 3.5 sata hard drive right?

 

[mnewsham]

hard drive question: The notebook 2.5 inch internal harddrive power and sata port are the same ones as on the regular 3.5 sata hard drive right?

Yes.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I would AT LEAST get a MicroATX MB and a dedicated card. Keep in mind that just the Micro format itself suffers in performance....so smaller you go...worse off.

 

[Conroe]

Zacate blew SB out of the water when it came to integrated graphics performance. Unless Llano can double the performance of SB, I don't see reason to wait that long. Go for a small dedicated card, like the low-end HD 5000 series cards.

I guess I missed something then. I see Brazos is slower than a 5450, and HD 3000 is on par. It's a stupid comparison really due to price and CPU performance (although Quick Sync would be useful in a HTPC.) Both can't really play games anyway.

 

[llee]

I guess I missed something then. I see Brazos is slower than a 5450, and HD 3000 is on par. It's a stupid comparison really due to price and CPU performance (although Quick Sync would be useful in a HTPC.) Both can't really play games anyway.

Whoops, thanks for catching that. I meant to say ION, not SB.

But since you mention it, the HD 3000 series does look pretty impressive. I'm not sure if it's a smart choice to splurge on a 2500K for an HTPC, but the integrated graphics performance is impressive.