In search of COLD HARD FACTS of IGP chipsets

[PeterAlt]

I've just about had it. Just when I've thought I've figured it all out, I would read another conflicting internet report. I've spent countless hours trying to decide which integrated graphics chipset I'm going to stick with for the computers I build, and just when I thought my mind has been made up, I would read a report on the net claiming a fact discrediting a "fact" which I had based a decision on!

PLEASE, someone, point my way to COLD HARD FACTS on all the technical details of Nvidia's 6150 chipset, ATI's Xpresss 200 IGP chipset, and even Via's new chipset!

I need a chipset capable of dual display engines, one being HDTV component and DVI output. Also, I would prefer if the chipset has an onboard APU capable of actually processing HD audio (like the Sound Blaster chips do). And my dream chipset would also be Dolby certified (with both Dolby Digital Ex and Dolby Digital Live).

Is it true that ATI's chipset has an actual APU, while Nvidia's is just a non-processing codec? And what are the COLD HARD FACTS of what happens when an external GPU is added to either chipset?

Also, I've been seeing conflicting reporting about ATI's HDTV capability. Does anyone know the truth as it what it is capable as well as what its limitations are as for HDTV output?

Please someone HELP! Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[rbV5]

I need a chipset capable of dual display engines, one being HDTV component and DVI output.

I've a little experience using my MSI RS480 board for the past year.
Xpress200 is single RAMDAC only. The best you could have is cloned secondary output, however the implementation in my board doesn't allow for concurrent output...VGA or TV out, not both.

And what are the COLD HARD FACTS of what happens when an external GPU is added to either chipset?

Xpress200 uses "Surround View" for the IGP when an additional graphics card is added. Again, this may vary by manufacturer, but in my implementation..."Surround View" is a reduced functionality mode with reduced resolution refresh support. My 17" LCD won't support 32bit color in "Sourround View" at native 1280x1024 resolution for instance...I use it for utilities GUI and Web browsing.

Does anyone know the truth as it what it is capable as well as what its limitations are as for HDTV output?

Xpress200 on my MSI RS480 board was somewhat boarderline for HDTV decoding in MCE using HDTV Wonder and a stock clocked AMD64 3000+ (1.8GHz). I used HD-15 for connectivety (VGA D-Sub) and it was enough "Most" of the time.

Unsuitable for WMV HD, it supports DXVA acceleration, however the 2 pipelines just don't have much shader power if your CPU isn't fast enough, and the lack of dedicated memory hobbles it. I've heard the models with onboard dedicated memory fare much better.

Xpress200 can be matched with ATI or ULI Northbridge, so the audio implementation difers for the different products.

 

[PeterAlt]

Thanks for clearing some of this mess up for me. So, for video, Nvdia wins at this level. For audio processing, ATI's chipset wins, I guess (can anyone verify?).

 

[plonk420]

if you're going for HTPC, go Chaintech AV710 or better. 96kHz (cough cough) at 20-bit 2.0 (center/sub/surrounds aren't as high quality) analog out, but you can also stream 24-bit/96kHz (or was that 192kHz?) thru the optical SPDIF out or DTS or DD to an a/v amp.

zOMG acronym hell! X)

 

[tcsenter]

I need a chipset capable of dual display engines, one being HDTV component and DVI output.

VIA's UniChrome II or Pro (e.g. K8M800 or P4M800) has rather good hardware support for HDTV decoding and DVI output, but you'd be hard pressed to find a mainboard that actually implements it. I know of none and I've looked at most of them.

Also, I would prefer if the chipset has an onboard APU capable of actually processing HD audio (like the Sound Blaster chips do). And my dream chipset would also be Dolby certified (with both Dolby Digital Ex and Dolby Digital Live).

Nobody does chipset integrated hardware sound engines and DSP vis-a-vis NVIDIA APU, anymore (including NVIDIA). Its all host accelerated stuff.

Good chipset integrated HD audio controllers with plenty of bandwidth to the CPU are available from just about every company, but there currently are few HD audio options for AMD platforms unless a discrete audio chip is used (e.g. Creative or VIA Envy24). The weak link of integrated audio is usually low-end consumer grade audio CODECs and inattention to audio circuit design.

And what are the COLD HARD FACTS of what happens when an external GPU is added to either chipset?

What happens is, you get graphics from the external GPU and unless you install a very low end product it is almost always better than IGP.

 

[RobsTV]

Originally posted by: PeterAlt
Thanks for clearing some of this mess up for me. So, for video, Nvdia wins at this level. For audio processing, ATI's chipset wins, I guess (can anyone verify?).

As stated, depends on the motherboard.
nvidia also can not do two video outputs at same time with 6100/6150 onboard.
Add a video card, and both can do more than two. It used to be when you added a video card, it disabled onboard. Not any longer.

Using Jetway A210 Pro here (6 of them).
ATi runs 3 fully independent monitors in Surround View, with no restrictions like rbV5 has with his MSI. Works great. Surround View here only works when using an ATi based add on card. Cheap $35 x300 did the trick.

With Jetway A210 Pro, it actually has some built in onboard memory dedicated to video (plus whatever you share). WMV-HD at 1080P (yes "P") also plays flawlessly, even if only equipped with the Jetway onboard video. Read somewhere that the dedicated onboard memory greatly increases bandwidth compared to using only shared. Works great. Check out AVS forums on the 6150 for HDTV performance. Sucks, and many are not too happy. HDTV is what I do, using both sat DVB-S cards and OTA cards in HTPC's using small mATX cases that fit well into any living room. I normally only equip the systems with onboard. Easily switch displays with hotkey on remote control. Use addon when required, such as when heavy gamers or multi-display is needed. (for gamers, onboard is better than 9200 and much better than 9200se, with 3dm2k3 scores of about 2100).

Jetway uses ULi southbridge, and has great HDA 8 channel audio. Sorry, no Dolby encoder.

 

[Zap]

Here's your solution. Use a PCIe video card that supports HDTV-out and a PCI sound card that is Dolby certified. Then, you can use any chipset in the form factor your case needs that has at least one PCIe 16x and one PCI slot.

Problem solved. Please pay the cashier as you leave.

 

[imported_kenyee]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
nvidia also can not do two video outputs at same time with 6100/6150 onboard.

AFAIK, yes it can...that was one of the big advertising bullet points from nVidia.

It can't do two simultaneous analog or digital, but it can do one analog and
one video and folks in the avsforums have done this...


ken

p.s., I agree w/ Zap...the OP really wants to get any board, then throw in a PCI-e graphics card and a good sound card. Forget the onboard stuff...won't meet the OP's requirements. Maybe in about 2 years, it will, but this round doesn't...