i7/i5 Integrated Graphics mobo's?

bodtwo · 1 Dec 2009 at 21:44

hello all,

am building a htpc rig and am wondering if there are any i7/i5 motherboards in the offing that will have integrated graphics?

It will purely be used for movies to a plasma, so want to keep it cool and quiet hence the integrated route.

I'm keen on the i7/i5 as i want something reasonably futureproof and a fair amount of processor grunt if i do decide to to any number crunching/encoding type stuff.

If no ontegrated graphics, what would people recommend as a cool/quiet/low power card for HD up to 1080p that will allow audio pass through via hdmi?

Have built a dual atom based media server which works great using a PS3 as the head node connected to the TV, but it becomes unbearable to use as a PC once you stress out the atom. That box will be retired to it's proper function as server.

Ok rambling now, but any help would be gratefully received.

thank you.

Geek. · 1 Dec 2009 at 21:52

i don't thhink there are any i5/i7 motherboards with intergrated graphics yet! so i would go for something like this to get up and running http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-216-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1010

bodtwo · 1 Dec 2009 at 22:28

just wondered really, with i3/i5 cpu's with integrated graphics around the corner i wondered if the mobo manufacturers would be bringing something out.

alex24 · 1 Dec 2009 at 22:32

Best bet might be a low power gfx card for now, should give more flexibility too for future upgrades if your usage pattern changes.

ATI seem to have the best HTPC cards atm. Something like a 4350 or 4550 is ideal.

Slackworth · 1 Dec 2009 at 23:09

Nothing available at the mo. Any of the low end cards can be purchased cheaply now.

Legion · 2 Dec 2009 at 11:25

bodtwo said:
just wondered really, with i3/i5 cpu's with integrated graphics around the corner i wondered if the mobo manufacturers would be bringing something out.

Boards based on the H55 chipset will be announced in January,these however require you to have an i3/i5 with the onchip gpu (ala Clarkdale 32nm)

couple of sample boards

Yurihyuga · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:57

look around for a fanless PCI-E Card, think the old geforce 7 series had them if not mistaken.

95thrifles · 2 Dec 2009 at 14:09

or alternatively look at AMD, they have excellent 785G AM3 chipset with integrated gfx, throw in a quad core cpu and youre good to go, either an thlon for quiet cool efficiency or a phenom if you really do need the grunt

HazardO · 2 Dec 2009 at 15:30

To add to what Legion said, I believe the i3 clarkdales are dual cores with integrated GPUs, and the i5 clarkdales are dual cores with hyperthreading and integrated GPUs.

kerrgreg · 2 Dec 2009 at 16:01

4350 will work fine for you if you go down the p55 road i no because we are using one now