*Official* Intel G45 DG45ID microATX HTPC Motherboard Thread

NOTE: There are two Intel G45 motherboards: DG45ID (microATX) and DG45FC (mini-ITX).
Click here to go to the sister thread for the smaller, mini-ITX version of this motherboard.




Finally! The wait is almost over for the Intel DG45ID microATX motherboard. The SKU for the Intel DG45ID showed up in a distributor database this morning, and due to hit retailers as early as 7/24/2008. This is one of the "next gen" HTPC-oriented boards many of us have been waiting for. Why?

√ Full hardware-accelerated decoding of MPEG2, H.264 AVC and VC1 (all three Bluray codecs) thanks to the Intel GMA X4500 HD IGP
√ 8 Channel (aka 7.1) uncompressed LPCM audio over HDMI output (HDMI v1.3a)
√ Integrated HDMI/DVI/PAVP/Display Port
√ Dual memory channel support (8Gb max memory - 4 x 2Gb DIMMs)

As soon as I get my hands on it, a build log with pics will commence, along with a build log for the mini-ITX version. I think this microATX version will be the bigger seller between it and the mini-ITX version. The single PCIe 1x slot of the mini-ITX version will be too expansion-limited for many people.

I expect this board to be "rock solid" just like Intel boards always have been, based on building many systems in the past. With the IGP (integrated graphics processor) handling the brunt of the 1080p video decoding, it means a low-cost CPU (less than $100) can be coupled with this motherboard to set a new standard in cost-to-performance ratio.

Manual: Intel Desktop Board DG45ID Product Guide (PDF)
BIOS/Drivers: Latest DG45ID Motherboard BIOS and driver updates page
More info: Official product page for Intel DG45ID motherboard

Ingram, in general, is pretty reliable with ETA's because when they put in an exact date, it's usually based on a conversation between Ingram and Intel directly. Case in point I had back-ordered a Q9450 CPU (ETA was a few months out) and they got the part in on the exact date that had been set the months prior. Obviously anything can happen, but fingers crossed!

A lot of times the sales dopes in these companies only repeat what their computer states; it's common that nobody bothers to continually check up on ETA until days after the product has missed it's last known ETA and still hasn't shown up.

The joys of online shopping (some companies are worse than others) when they take your money and say something's in stock and then weeks start rolling by ...

Hope you get it though!

Good question. Sounds like what you're asking about is the Philips-developed Microsoft IR module, OVU4130. As a big fan of the Microsoft USB-based IR eye (it works brilliantly), I've noticed that some of the better HTPC case manufacturers are supplying this module as an add-on to their cases. Check out this link. This is OrigenAE's OVU4130 module, which would assumably interface with either the motherboard header or else just a USB header. It's great, because it's a clean installation with the IR eye being inside the case so no external mess.

Here's the description for this module:

The OrigenAE IR221 uses the new Philips developed Microsoft IR module (OVU4130) for total Windows Vista Media Center functionality. This IR Module integrates seamlessly into the Microsoft Vista operating systems and connects via an internal USB cable. This module also supports the IR Blasting feature and includes the external IR transmitters.

- IR transceiver fully dedicated for Microsoft
Windows Vista
- fits S21T, S16T, S16V, S14V, S10V
- Incorporates Microsoft recommended
RC6 IR protocol
- Resume from standby (S1, S3, S4*, S5*
supported)
- Supports 2 independent IR emitters
- Microsoft RLC structure compliant

Check out the wiring diagram to this module HERE



I guess the ultimate question is going to be whether we can buy the OVU4130 module generically by itself, rather than having to pay a markup by getting it from an HTPC case manufacturer!

The issues and problems with the 8200 and 8300 have been discussed ad-nauseum in this forum, so I won't spend time rehashing. Consider I've actually been an Nvidia/Purevideo junkie for at least the last three years and for my HTPC's have bought nothing BUT Nvidia motherboards and GPU's for the hardware accelerated decoding features. I was aware of the Intel G35 boards but they still didn't compel me. When the G45 was announced and I read all about it, I was convinced it was going to be a "next generation" HTPC chipset. On top of that I have too many Intel CPU's and spare parts laying around to want to move to AMD.

As far as I've read in the official 8200 thread, there are differences in the 8200/8300 boards with regard to multi-channel audio depending on who makes the board (i.e. gigabyte, evga, etc) some don't do 8-channel LPCM over HDMI but rather just stereo, some have garbled sound when resuming from sleep requiring a reboot, etc.

I don't feel like dealing with issues and surprises in my next HTPC build.

Many people that want an Nvidia based microATX HTPC-oriented motherboard are skipping the 8200/8300 and waiting for Nvidia's next gen mobo (i.e. 9300/9400 or whatever).

The G45 is interesting to many of us because of vertical integration: the integrated graphics processor is by Intel (and a very powerful one), and the audio chip is also by Intel, rather than it being a Realtek or some other third party audio chip thrown onto the board. Because of that vertical integration the ability to bitstream audio will have a better chance of happening sooner since Intel didn't have to coordinate PAVP/PAP compliance on the G45 with any third party audio chip supplier, and coordination with a software player company (Arcsoft, Cyberlink, etc) should be easier.

I could go on, but to boil it down to a single reason, it's probably the IGP and it's ability to effortlessly HD decode all three Bluray codecs with only a very cheap $60-$100 CPU on board that's the biggest selling point with the G45.

For as low as a $199 pricepoint including the motherboard, memory and a CPU, you've got smooth Bluray playback and 8-channel LPCM audio over HDMI that actually works - that's why it's a big deal.