Can someone recommend...

[redmanmark86]

Hi there,

I'm looking to build a HTPC with a Micro ATX form factor, i have managed to choose all my parts, ram, case, processor but i can't decide on what motherboard to get? i don't mind the price as its gonna have to last a few years but i do want it to have HDMI out and Optical out so i can plug it into my TV and the possibilty of at some point having a Graphics card for gaming, looking at the ATI HD3870 cuz of the price...

so if anyone can suggest a really good Micro ATX motherboard it would be highly appreciated...

so far the main parts i have choosen are...

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (maybe the energy effeicent one, don't really know the difference)
Antec Black Fusion Case

[Woah Mama!]

I saw a cheap eVGA mATX motherboard on a Canadian site.. I can't remember which but it was one of the major ones. Ah, here (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26643&vpn=112-CK-NF72-K1&manufacture=eVGA) it is. There is another 2 eVGA mATX boards there too for decent prices I guess.

[Pinchy]

You simply CANT go past the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R.

Its got all the features of a normal motherboard; RAID, 7.1 audio, 4x DDR2 800 RAM slots, Q6600 support etc etc AND has crossfire :D!

Its relatively cheap as well, I picked it up for $132 Aussie.

edit: found a link for ya: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24780&vpn=GA-G33M-DS2R&manufacture=Gigabyte

[WarEagleAU]

Nvidia and ATI have some great new HTPC boards out. HERE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131174) is probably one of the best for AMD and socket AM2. It has onboard sound but Asus doesnt use the Realtek codec on this one. HERE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022+107191003+1071928272&name=AMD+690G) is the page with all the AMD boards with HDMI ports in them.

HERE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280+107172444&name=NVIDIA+GeForce+7000) is a page with Intel boards with HDMI out as well as normal boards without HDMI support.

Hope this helps. You didnt state what processor you had bought or anything like that.

[redmanmark86]

Hi WarEagleAU,

i stated i bought a Q6600 so need an intel based board...

what do you guys think of the ABIT Fatal1ty F-I90HD???

Also whats a good silent fan that will cool that processor silently but also fit in the case?

and thanks agianf or your help.

[redmanmark86]

You simply CANT go past the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R.

Its got all the features of a normal motherboard; RAID, 7.1 audio, 4x DDR2 800 RAM slots, Q6600 support etc etc AND has crossfire :D!

Its relatively cheap as well, I picked it up for $132 Aussie.

edit: found a link for ya: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24780&vpn=GA-G33M-DS2R&manufacture=Gigabyte

Hi Pinchy, it looks like a great board but lacks HDMI out :(

[Pinchy]

Hi Pinchy, it looks like a great board but lacks HDMI out :(

GA-G33M-S2H

No RAID, but HDMI!

:D

If you really need RAID, just get the DSR2 + a 2400 or 8500GT ;).

[redmanmark86]

i dont need raid at all... im not going to use it...

just good on board graphics for now (till i buy a graphic card), with HDMI and Opticla Audio out, thats my only two must have requirements

[redmanmark86]

GA-G33M-S2H

No RAID, but HDMI!

:D

If you really need RAID, just get the DSR2 + a 2400 or 8500GT ;).

I took a look at the motherboard you suggested and it got greeat reviews but apparantly the graphics is handicapped because the PCIe slot doesn't perform at 16x :(

[Pinchy]

I took a look at the motherboard you suggested and it got greeat reviews but apparantly the graphics is handicapped because the PCIe slot doesn't perform at 16x :(

I read that crossfire is handicapped because the second slot only runs at 4x. But, the first slot runs at the full 16x.

Thats from what I read. I still havent put a graphics card in mine, still running on onboard. (DS2R)

I'm going to put my X1950 PRO in it, but not until the end of Jan (when I buy the HD3850 for my comp :D)