HTPC mobo for new build

[rogerther]

Hello all.

I would like some advice on a mobo for htpc that I want to assemble.
What I would like is something that include graphic card, sound card, lan card (if possible wireless).
I will use it to connect to a led tv (the tv has a vga and hdmi ports) and I will use it to watch movies, tv and play some not graphic intensive games(SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT).
I will probable only connect a tv card (have to choose one so if you have good tips they are also welcome) and if necessary the wireless card and I'm trying to minimize space but that's not a important factor(miniatx is better then atx for me... but if there is a good atx motherboard I will take it).
I'm looking for good deals like the smallest price for the best hardware... nothing expensive nor too cheap... (maybe aroud 150 USD less is better : ) ) I believe AMD is the best choice for quality/low price option...

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Anything. I will source from local sites or stores anyway so I don't mind.
OVERCLOCKING: No

Thanks all for any advice!

 

[MadAdmiral]

Do you want a full build, or just the motherboard? If it's just the board, we need to know what CPU you're considering, or at least the socket (AM3, AM2, etc). I know you said you'd prefer mATX, but that's really going to limit your options. We need to know if mATX is a preference or if you already have a case that will only use mATX. If you want help for the full build, we need the entire budget.

A few general notes. A terminology thing first: if it's included on the board, they're not cards. They're just onboard graphics, sound and LAN. All boards today will have some kind of onboard sound and LAN. A few will have graphics. None that I know of will have wireless built in. For that, you'll need to buy either an internal wireless card or an external reciever.

Assuming an AM3 CPU, and ATX case, a good board with onboard graphics, HDMI output is the Asus M4A785TD-V EVO. It's about $90.

A good AM3, mATX board is the Asus M4A785TD-M EVO. It's about $95.

 

[rogerther]

thanks MadAdmiral for the quick reply!

Do you want a full build, or just the motherboard? If it's just the board, we need to know what CPU you're considering, or at least the socket

Just the motherboard. I will choose the processor based on the motherboard since I believe most processor can deal well with video processing. Don't know if this is the best approach though...

I know you said you'd prefer mATX, but that's really going to limit your options.

I didn't knew that mATX would limit the options so much... But then again it can be a ATX case since I don't have the case yet.

I don't have a fixed budget but something like 400/500 USD

And once again thanks for all the replys.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Generally, you do the reverse. But given your full budget, you're pretty much stuck on an AM3 CPU. I didn't know if this was a build using older parts, as HTPCs don't need much processing power.

mATX doesn't limit boards to an extreme manner, but it does limit it. Looking for a mATX only case does limit those options. Keep in mind that true HTPC cases are quite expensive. My current build is mostly an HTPC for now, and I absolutely hated the HTPC cases, as you could find better, elegant looking regular cases for much less cash.

Either of those boards would be good, regardless of the case size.

 

[rogerther]

Well, after some research I will probably buy the following configuration:

mATX board is the Asus M4A785TD-M EVO - 71,90 €

AMD Sempron 140 - 2,7 GHz - 31,90 €

OCZ Platinum Low Voltage 2 x 2 GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10666 (OCZ3P1333LV4GK) - 99.90€

I went to OCZ page to see the ram specifications and they say that this ram was designed specifically for the Intel P55 Chipset . Will this ram work in this configuration?

 

[rogerther]

Adding a hard drive, the final system is:

Asus M4A785TD-M EVO - 71,90 €

AMD Sempron 140 - 2,7 GHz - 31,90 €

OCZ Platinum Low Voltage 2 x 2 GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10666 (OCZ3P1333LV4GK) - 99.90€

SAMSUNG SpinPoint F3 HD103SJ - 1 TB 77 €

Total: 280.7 Euros. Not bad I guess. Just need to find a nice case... but my wife will choose it ; )

Any thoughts on this:

I went to OCZ page to see the ram specifications and they say that this ram was designed specifically for the Intel P55 Chipset . Will this ram work in this configuration?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The RAM will work just fine on an AMD build. The only reason they specify P55 compatibility is because it runs under the 1.65v RAM limit for Intel chips.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

The best way to check RAM compatibility is to go to the ASUS website and look up the motherboard you want to buy. They have a link to a document with all the RAM they've tested right there on the product page.