Intel Board with onboard CPU for HTPC?

[mevlutunlu]

I am considering to buy an Intel Desktop Board D2550MUD2 for my HTPC that will run under a 55" HDTV.

Here is the link of the product from Intel's site http://ark.intel.com/products/69042/Intel-Desktop-Board-D2550MUD2

I want it because it's fanless and silent. Intel says it has a PCI slot. So, can I install my GTX430 low profile Graphics Card on it? I can get a perfect picture quality on 1080p resolotion videos with this card on my panasonic hdtv.

As I said I just want it to play Full HD videos only. Will it be powerfull enough? And hey, it's cheap!

 

[shafe88]

I don't think it will be powerful enough as it has an intel atom paired with low end intel graphics, and I don't think your GTX430 will work as the board only has a PCI where as your GTX430 is most likely PCI-E.

 

[mevlutunlu]

Ok. Thanks for the reply. Is there a link about how to build a better performing and energy efficient HTPC? Can you recommend a configuration? Now I am thinking about building something like this:

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z77M-D3H (125$)
cpu : INTEL Core i3 3220 (136$)
an SSD (140 - 150 $)

which costs more than 300$. What about it?

 

[shafe88]

Ok. Thanks for the reply. Is there a link about how to build a better performing and energy efficient HTPC? Can you recommend a configuration? Now I am thinking about building something like this:

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z77M-D3H (125$)
cpu : INTEL Core i3 3220 (136$)
an SSD (140 - 150 $)

which costs more than 300$. What about it?

If your looking at a efficient HTPC I would take a look ECS NM70-I2 motherboard, it's less than $80 and includes a dual core celeron and PCI-E slot for your graphics card plus it's quiet. hears a list of part's from newegg of everything needed to build A HTPC. If you don't plan on using it for Blu-Ray playback you could get by with just a DVD drive, and if you don't need to run any windows programs you could just go with linux instead of buying windows.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108396
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136268
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1YV0SC8858
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986