HTPC G41 or 785g?

[the dook]

Hi,

I'm wanting to build an mATX HTPC as my Christmas present to myself. Have been considering this for a while, and with all of the Boxing Day sales fast approching, I thought that I would begin to piece this together. I'm going to be strictly using this for music/ internet TV/ internet surfing/ DVD and Blue-Ray (1080p). I would also install Windows 7 32 bit. I would use onboard graphics to keep the cost down and would also like this to be energy efficient. Budget is about $500 not including OS

Which is the best motherboard these days to use for this application in mATX?

AMD or Intel Chipset/recommended chip?

Thanks in advance

[martin_metal_88]

Welcome to HWC in first!!!! I would go with a AM3 785G. They are pretty inexpensive good for HTPC and AM3 will allow you to grow with time. If you have more question just ask my friend;)

[jcmaz]

785G for sure coz the intel one lacks enough omph. Also, the AMD processors are way cheaper.

Btw, where are u from OP

[the dook]

I've been reading articles on AMD 785 boards, and seem more favorable with the form factor/price I'm looking for. Asus/Gigabyte/MSI? Win7 compatable? Athlon II or Phenom II? Don't mind dishing out for the best mobo/chip option.

[the dook]

sorry....did not finish my profile. I'm from balmy Winnipeg.

[jcmaz]

I have an Asus M2A VM 690G and a Gigabyte 770T AM3. I personally like Gigabyte more because of their support in their products. ie: Phenom II is supported on the Gigabyte variant of my M2A VM... Asus has a terrible website btw.

[JD]

I'd get a 785G with sideport memory (128MB DDR3 dedicated to the onboard graphics) along with an Athlon II. Pair it up with at least 2GB RAM and you should be good to go.

I'll probably be buying this stuff for my server in the new year, but it'll work just as well for a HTPC too:
MSI 785GM-E65 785G mATX AM3 DDR3 PCI-E16 2PCI 1PCI-E1 HDMI DVI Sound GBLAN Motherboard - DirectCanada
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 2.8GHZ 2MB Cache 65W Retail Box - DirectCanada
G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL7-7-7-21 Core I5 1.65V Memory Kit - DirectCanada

[Raserei408]

RAM seems a little much for an HTPC. I say get the cheapest 1333 RAM you can find with timings below 9-9-9-24 and you should be good.

Also, you might consider one of the Athlon II x3s. They seem to be pretty good price - performance. You'd even be able to do some light gaming on your TV, though perhaps only at 720p and with lowered settings for newer titles.

[JD]

Originally Posted by Raserei408

RAM seems a little much for an HTPC. I say get the cheapest 1333 RAM you can find with timings below 9-9-9-24 and you should be good.

That is one of the cheapest DDR3 kits

[Raserei408]

Originally Posted by jdrom17

That is one of the cheapest DDR3 kits

Nothing cheaper than some of the mid-performance Ripjaws? That seems a little off. If you can't find anything cheaper, though, it's a great set.