Looking for integrated graphics good enough for an HTPC...

bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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I've been deciding between three motherboards for a budget computer with basic HTPC functions.

The IGPs they have are an ATI Radeon HD 2100 and 3200, and an NVidia 8100. Are all these satisfactory for HTPC functions?

The individual who will be using this will probably never play anything more demanding than Solitaire for games, and will watch movies.

Here are the mobos I've been looking at--but any other suggestions are welcome!

Asus with ATI Radeon HD 3200

Biostar with ATI Radeon HD 2100

Biostar with NVidia 8100 series
 

mpilchfamily

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Jun 11, 2007
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Either of them will be fine. SO go with the ones that looks to suit your build needs best. Personally i pay specail attention to the layout of the motherboard since it effects how easy the build will go and how good i can do on the cable managment.
 

s44

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Oct 13, 2006
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Of those, I think only the HD3200 will handle HD 1080p decoding.

As an alternative, I'd look at Nvidia 8200 boards.
 

bovinda

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Nov 26, 2004
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Thanks guys...Nerp, why would you go 780G? I don't know the difference between these chipsets at all.

I'll take a look at some 8200 boards as well...any suggestions there?
 

Cookie Monster

Diamond Member
May 7, 2005
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There are plenty of reviews on AT. You should check them out as they compare 780G/790GX/8200/8300 and G35/45. Also with the current release of the 9300 IGP from nVIDIA (this IGP is compatible with intel CPUs) you should check it out also.
 

WT

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Sep 21, 2000
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9300 IGP .. wish the price was around $20 less tho. Read Anand's article on it and see if it doesn't look like a viable option.
 

daveybrat

Elite Member
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Jan 31, 2000
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We use a Gigabyte 780G motherboard at work hooked up to a 47" 1080P Vizio LCD with a blue-ray player in the pc and the HD 3200 onboard graphics play it flawlessly. (with an AMD 5000+ 2.6GHz X2 cpu).

 

bovinda

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Nov 26, 2004
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Thanks guys, I will check those out. Daveybrat, any idea what model mobo that is specifically?
 

Falloutboy

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Jan 2, 2003
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780G in my mind is the way to go for a budget HTPC, match that with a BE-2400 and it will play basically anything you need to play for under a 100 bucks.
 

nerp

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Dec 31, 2005
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Originally posted by: bovinda
Thanks guys...Nerp, why would you go 780G? I don't know the difference between these chipsets at all.

I'll take a look at some 8200 boards as well...any suggestions there?

Basically because it's very power efficient, you can get a great board in mATX format and the IGP on it is mighty powerful. You can decode 1080p bluray with a lowly sempron. Chuck in a good low power AMD chip, the the BE editions or a 4850e or something, and you're good to go for under $100 or just over.

The 780G has the HD3200 chip on it. I have a 780G board in my work box at the office just for light office style work and it's more than powerful. I can fire up CS:S and game with decent FPS when nobody is around.
 

bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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Thanks guys. I'm probably going to go with this Gigabyte board with an HD 3200 on it. The 9300 sounds good, but I couldn't find any boards on NewEgg with the 9300, and even Anand's article recommends holding off on it "until the kinks are worked out." This person will be building this computer in a week or so, so I would need to order it tonight.

Thanks for all the feedback and help guys!