Recommend me an economical htpc motherboard

[Bulldog13]

I will be using this case http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WTDGQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER . I will be using an existing e8500 combined with DDR2 RAM I already have.

I will be installing xbmc on it and its sole purpose is an htpc. I want to be sure it can watch 1080i/p and I would like to do this with on-board HDMI, so I don't need to buy and additional video / sound card.

Any recommendations ?

 

[God Mode]

Best I could find with your required needs without resorting to used or unknown vendors.

 

[Bulldog13]

What about this one ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...yMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

Is the e8500 fast enough to do software decoding of HD content ? (I am assuming that is the difference between the 2 boards, not sure though).

 

[Magic Carpet]

Bulldog13,

I have an ancient Intel Dual Core (E2160) processor clocked just at 1.8 Ghz. It can decode HD video flawlessly.

E8500 is plenty. You must be kidding... if you think otherwise. Just get whatever is cheapest and be done with it. 775 Socket is still decent. Don't go crazy about extra 10-20w it would be consuming, there are plenty of other electrical appliances in your house that consume x-fold more.

 

[dfuze]

Like Magic Carpet said, don't worry about your e8500, my e2180 handles it all just fine. I'm also using a AMD 4350 for added "muscle" but could do it without, I just don't feel like taking it out.

BTW, I like your selected case, I just got the smaller version from Amazon, the ML03B, looks very good under the TV 🙂

 

[Bulldog13]

Thanks for the help guys!

I just pulled the trigger on the case and the mobo, hopefully the case will get here soon since it is on amazon back order. I ll post pics when I get her built.