HTPC: APU vs CPU + onboard GPU

[isaunier]

I'm building a low profile computer based on HTPC parts, I'm torn between purchasing a motherboard with an onboard gt430 and running that with an i5 quad core, or getting an AMD apu system with the radeon 6550d. I know a gt430 card is better then the apu, however I was wondering how big the difference between the gt430 card and the gt430 onboard would be. If possible I would much rather have the APU because the APU and motherboard cost close to the same as just the intel board.

For reference what I'm looking at are
-the Intel board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500070&fb_source=message

-the apu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103994

due to the size of the case I'm building in even low profile graphics cards are out of the question

 

[WR2]

Hello isaunier;

For a true HTPC a GT430 GPU or Llano APU is massive overkill.
Are you needing a system that will run some games?

 

[WR2]

how big the difference between the gt430 card and the gt430 onboard would be.

ZOTAC Intel LGA 1155 Z68 Supreme Mini-ITX WiFi spec sheet
There isn't enough detail in the spec sheet to know if the shader count core and clock/mem speeds are GT430 standard.

Just eyeballing the motherboard config it seems there might be enough room to squeeze a customized standard GT430 on the motherboard.

THG: GeForce GT 430: The HTPC Crowd Gets Fermi On A Diet

Have you thought about asking the same question over in the Graphics and Displays forum?

 

[Outlander_04]

some TV decoders are pretty demanding on cpu load but any modern quadcore is going to handle two tuners simultaneously .
The APU is probably has lower power consumption , but unless you are also gaming you wont need the A8 3850
The A6 3650 would be my choice

 

[WR2]

I'm liking Outlander A6 3650 suggestion. Or even a A4-3400 dual core Llano.

What's going on with the HTPC that you need a Z68 board & Core i5?
Usually with a HTPC it's 'less is better' and you seem to be going in a different direction.

 

[isaunier]

The goal is to have something that can play games, I understand I won't be able to pack all the junk into it to call it a "gaming rig" because I have pretty much enough room for the motherboard.
essentially what I want to do is http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Nintendo-64-Console-HTPC-Intel-Atom-Nvidia-Ion,11445.html with enough performance on it that I could bring it to a LAN party as kind of a kicks-and-giggles thing, but still be able to play games. (I'm also aware there are going to be cooling issues and power issues, but I'm going to slay those giants after I shove as much crap in the little case as possible, even if I end up having to rig up something external that needs to be carried around)

 

[WR2]

Going to have room in the case for a video card laying horizontal to the motherboard?
PCI-e x16 90-degree horizontal adapter

 

[isaunier]

nope, I already looked at that, essentially what I have to work with is 10.23" (260mm) X 7.48 (190mm) X2.87 (73mm) the 2.87in is the highest points near the edges it loses about an inch. These leaves room for a motherboard, a low profile fan, a hardrive, and some wiggle room for cables, which is why I can only do something on the motherboard.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

in that case, definitely go Llano. the 3850 can do most games at 720p at around 45 fps