Mini ITX HTPC Question.

entireweb · 20 Oct 2008 at 15:45

Hi,

I am thinking of building a new HTPC around the mini ITX format.

Using this mobo, an e7200 and the LT blu ray/hd dvd drive.

Intel DG45FC "Fly Creek" Intel G45 Express (Socket 775) PCI Express DDR2 Motherboard

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-024-IN

I will be using the sytem for blu and hd dvd playback and 720p/1080p .mkv.

All my storage is via NAT and gigabit ethernet so I will be just using a 2.5 drive in the HTPC.

The display is a 42" 1080p plasma via HDMI.

Has any one used the above mobo and if so what do you think?

I had pretty poor blu ray decoding on an older hd ready mobo with intergrated graphics, eg green flashing. I stuck in another graphics card and then it was fine. So I am slightly dubious about on board GPUs. The Fly creek uses X4500 graphics.

Thanks

ZXSpectrum · 21 Oct 2008 at 12:36

From what i have seen the board is superb. Not really any upgradability but for an all in one solution its a great bit of kit. The X4500HD graphics are no slouch either and should do everything you need...

If you want more punch then go for a M-ATX board and a ATI 4670 for about 10/20 more. Will be a lot more powerfull but the tradeoff is the size.

entireweb · 21 Oct 2008 at 14:40

Skyline said:
From what i have seen the board is superb. Not really any upgradability but for an all in one solution its a great bit of kit. The X4500HD graphics are no slouch either and should do everything you need...

If you want more punch then go for a M-ATX board and a ATI 4670 for about 10/20 more. Will be a lot more powerfull but the tradeoff is the size.

Thanks. I want a small solution. I already have a HTPC based on M_ATX, but its just too big and looks a monster under my TV. All I need now is a mini itx case that takes one 5.25 slot for the blu ray / hd dvd drive.

gt_junkie · 21 Oct 2008 at 14:46

Might interest you: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12630078&postcount=316

Been using it for a while now. Just about to watercool it.

Great piece of kit and very stable. Only the bios limitations have been a bit of a downer as i cannot lower the voltage of the chip.

I know it'll do stock at close to 1v but it runs at 1.2v and i can't do anything about it.

Just waiting on a bios update that allows me to alter it!

gt

Edit: The onboard video is awesome too - plays 1080p without a hitch.