Need HTPC C2D/LGA775 motherboard and GPU suggestion using this CPU, RAM and HD

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assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
Mar 27, 2005
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I've posted this over at AVS as well and haven't yet found an answer.

What do you guys recommend for a HTPC that is quiet, stable and able to play 1080p video (no gaming)? It will be hooked up to a primary 1080p HDTV via HDMI through a AV receiver and also to a secondary computer monitor via VGA.

My AV receiver does not decode HD Audio so this is not needed.

This is my original thread over at AVS:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1258153

"Thanks for the help. Looking to upgrade from a Zotac mATX board that has proven to be a piece of crapola.

Want to use this for watching 1080p and listening to music. I am not going to game on this. Looking for something quiet and stable.

I need HDMI hookup and possibly VGA as I have an old monitor that I like to use (in addition to my 61" 1080p HDTV).

My parts:

CPU: Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $64.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072
HD: Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136298
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231087

Thanks."
 
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perdomot

Golden Member
Dec 7, 2004
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Actually AMD is the best for this with their 785G mobos. Sell the cpu and get this combo to use with your ram and hdd:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.407416
The mobo is awesome and that cpu should have enough power for the HTPC although there are other combos with the mobo that feature a better cpu for a few dollars more.
 
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assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
Mar 27, 2005
394
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perdomot said:
Actually AMD is the best for this with their 785G mobos. Sell the cpu and get this combo to use with your ram and hdd:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.407416
The mobo is awesome and that cpu should have enough power for the HTPC although there are other combos with the mobo that feature a better cpu for a few dollars more.
Click to expand...

Well I am not going to do that.

Of the Intel options what is my best bet?
 
vailr

vailr

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,365
54
91
Check for available P45 chipset + DDR2 boards on Newegg; Gigabyte would be my first choice for brand.
For video card, a Geforce 210 card with HDMI + DVI outputs should be under $30; whatever brand is cheapest.
 
assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
Mar 27, 2005
394
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poofyhairguy said:
Of Intel 775 options in a Micro ATX form factor, this is your best bet:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500019

Got a really nice GPU in it for playback and HDMI. I have the smaller version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500035

If that doesn't work because you really want an Intel GPU, know that you might be better off moving up to a i3 with its better integrated GPUs.
Click to expand...

That is the same board that I have now that I want to replace!!!

It died on me after 5 months. Reading the reviews on newegg it seems that this is a known problem that many are having.

The chipset in it runs extremely hot.

I absolutely loved it when it was working correctly. But I need something with better durability and don't think Zotac is the answer.

Needless to say that is why I created this thread and question...
 
B

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
I'm assuming that you have the parts listed in the OP, and that you need a mATX board since your current board is mATX.

I'd suggest something in the old, boring, and stable G31 category like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131615

All of the mid-price brand G31 boards are around $50 shipped. They only vary by a few bucks, so grab what you're comfortable with. I've used a board like this asus for several years running 24/7 with zero problems.

You will need a video card to push 1080p with no problems. I'd suggest any fanless ATI 4XXX or 5XXX card. You don't need a lot of power. You just need HDMI and no (noisy) fan. Here's a powercolor that looks pretty good for $30AR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131339

If you want to save ~$10 there would be no harm in dropping down to a 4350 video card, but I'd go with the 5-series.

Alternatively, at the ultra-low price range, you could loook at this combo which is CRAZY cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.428298
 
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assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
Mar 27, 2005
394
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0
Thanks. I hope what I picked is ok.

Just ordered the following...

1 GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E1681312838

1 SAPPHIRE 100292L Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready ...Item #: N82E16814102876

Subtotal $112.98

Let me know what you think. The video card is fanless which was important for me since this is a HTPC.
 
assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
Mar 27, 2005
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