GA-H55N-USB3: Mini-ITX mobo with USB 3.0

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tokenz

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Looks like it will be a capable htpc. I wonder about the graphics on it though. Will it do 1080p at a good bitrate through the graphics card on the processor?
 

crom

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It needs more PCI Express slots. If you want it to be a real HTPC it needs slots to put your TV tuner cards. I also wonder how the integrated Intel can handle Blu-Ray decoding.
 

most_wanted

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it looks good, with numerous capacitors..and the price is acceptable as a product from gigabyte.
though $100 will be a much more favourable price of course
 

traken

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This is going in my next computer, as long as the reviews are decent to it. The only other recent Intel mini-itx boards are from DFI and Zotac. The Zotac one is apparently plagued with bios problems, while the DFI one has some problems of its own. Hmmm
 

johnb4467

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The i3 / i5 igp's are actually quite good for blu-ray playback. I have been eyeing them for a potential HTPC for a good while now, and with them, the cpu utilization is extremely low. Couple that with being able to output lossless HD-audio formats, and it's quite a great little board.
For gaming, this will not be enough GPU power. For htpc, which it was made for -- or even for a htpc / render station combo (which I'm looking into one for), this might be a perfect solution. The only thing I don't like is only having one pci-e port...but if you need more, then that's not what the mini-itx build is for; not a fault of its own, just not what you need. :)

As far as raid, well...there are esata solutions for that. :)
 

gsacks

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[citation][nom]crom[/nom]It needs more PCI Express slots. If you want it to be a real HTPC it needs slots to put your TV tuner cards. I also wonder how the integrated Intel can handle Blu-Ray decoding.[/citation]

That is kind of a silly comment, since the mini-ITX form factor only supports one expansion slot. And a tuner is not essential for an HTPC. First, not everyone who has an HTPC uses it as a DVR, and second the HR-Homerun is an excellent HDTV tuner and work over your network. Does not require an PCIe slot.
 

huron

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[citation][nom]tokenz[/nom]Looks like it will be a capable htpc. I wonder about the graphics on it though. Will it do 1080p at a good bitrate through the graphics card on the processor?[/citation]

From everything I've seen, full HD playback is not a problem. I believe I read the original articles at Anandtech...I'm looking at i3/ITX for another HTPC - seems very capable.
 

huron

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[citation][nom]crom[/nom]It needs more PCI Express slots. If you want it to be a real HTPC it needs slots to put your TV tuner cards. I also wonder how the integrated Intel can handle Blu-Ray decoding.[/citation]

I think the ITX form factor is pretty limited in the number of slots it can have...for the small size, you have to make some sacrifices
 
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I used mine with i7 860 and managed to get just 3.2ghz on it... but I only spend 10 mins by increasing the multiplier SPD... nothing else... I did not mess with other memory settings, TRAs, etc etc.. it is also cool at 36-40 degrees Cel. Anyone knows additional settings I can change?
 
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