[slappyking]

After all my problems finding a good motherboard (most of the ones i wanted have been discontinued) i think ive ffinally found one.

Can you tell me if this is going to be a good setup or not please -

Intel® Core2 Duo Processor E7200 - http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=35348
Scythe Ninja Mini CPU heatsink - http://www.silentpcreview.com/article754-page1.html
Kingston HyperX 4GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3136390&SID=
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SpinPoint%20F1


I will be getting the following -

Intel BOXDG45ID LGA 775 Intel G45 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121355
Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-054-_-Product

Can you think of anythng else i would need? or anything better i should consider?


Thankyou as always guy's,

 

[mike_311]

pretty much my setup. except i have the e7300... you should be good.

 

[slappyking]

Thanks mike, did you have any probs with that motherboard? very mixed reviews..

 

[mike 01hawk]

Looks good.


So you already have the first 4 items, and are looking at purchasing a MOBO and HTPC Case?


My only suggestion is for the same $100 you could get a ATI 5450 and the GA-G31M-ES2L. It'd be a bit more future proof.


You'll also need input devices, Wireless Keyboard, Mouse, Trackpad, Remote, etc.


Have you decided what OS / Front ends you're going with?

 

[spivonious]

^ I agree. ATI 5xxx gives you lossless codec bitstreaming, which the G45 chipset doesn't support. With that said, you can always decode on the computer and send LPCM over HDMI to your receiver.


If you don't already have the CPU, I'd spend a bit more and get an i3 setup. You get bitstreaming support built-in then, and don't have the extra heat generated by a discrete video card.

 

[slappyking]

So this -

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=GA-G31M-ES2L

+
ATI 5450 - Which one? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...450+&x=15&y=32 (Has to be low profile?).


Is the above better then the Intel BOXDG45ID? And if the 'Intel BOXDG45ID' doesnt work as good as i want could i just add a low profile card to it in the future?


Im going to be using Win7 + MediaPortal.

 

[zzyckz]

The option of MB + dGPU it's much better for about the same price of the original MB (Intel BOXDG45ID) by itself.


Either choice will do fine, although the board with the iGPU only will be limited in what it can do depending on the chipset.

 

[slappyking]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zzyckz /forum/post/18210756


the iGPU only will be limited in what it can do depending on the chipset.

Sorry to sound like a noob, but, can you explain a little further please?


And... If i wasnt satisfied with the 'Intel' board couldnt i just add a dGPU at a later stage? Would it make a big differance the the 'Intel' board?


Could i add something like this if i find the 'intel' board not to good? - SAPPHIRE 100286L Radeon HD 4860 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102866

 

[zzyckz]

Yes! you can add a video card at any time if you're not satisfied with the performance you get from the integrated video.


The performance is always better with a dedicated video card.

 

[mike 01hawk]

The MOBO you have now is okay and would work great.


6, half-dozen, it's all the same (mostly

)


Any of those 5450s will work, I have the POWERCOLOR AX5450

 

[slappyking]

Thanks for your help guy's.


One last question.....


The 'Intel' board i want has iGPU, so, if i was to buy a dGPU at some point, will it cause any problems with the iGPU? or will it all run alright?

 

[zzyckz]

On the Intel board the iGPU has to be disabled when you add the dGPU, some MB will do it automatically, on others you have to disable it in the bios. Other than that, is a very simple thing.


For some people in this forum the iGPU is enough for what they do and for others it isn't enough, it depends on what you want to accomplish in the first place.

 

[slappyking]

Thanks for your help guy's, just bought the 'Intel' board - £87 inc P&P

 

[nihilist1977]

why not go clarkdale ?