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

assassin24

assassin24

HTPC Moderator
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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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.
 
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...
 
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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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.
 
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