[pbusardo]

Is anyone using this MB for a dedicated HTPC? Looking for comments/experience.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128437

Plan on pairing with a Intel Core i3-560 and using the onboard HDMI to feed my receiver.

Want a quality image and quality 7.1 audio.

Thanks!

[poofyhairguy]

Personally I would get a cheaper board and add on a dedicated Nvidia GPU. That case you pointed out has more than enough space and PSU power for a decent GPU, and even the crappiest Nvidia GPU on the market absolutely blows away any Intel GPU for a HTPC.

In fact, you haven't said which OS. If you plan to use Linux what I said isn't even optional. You NEED a Nvidia GPU in that case.

Example:

This:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128457

Plus this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

[pbusardo]

Personally I would get a cheaper board and add on a dedicated Nvidia GPU. That case you pointed out has more than enough space and PSU power for a decent GPU, and even the crappiest Nvidia GPU on the market absolutely blows away any Intel GPU for a HTPC.

In fact, you haven't said which OS. If you plan to use Linux what I said isn't even optional. You NEED a Nvidia GPU in that case.

Example:

This:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128457

Plus this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Windows 7.

[poofyhairguy]

Windows 7.

Consider an AMD board then.

The GPU in this board spanks anything Intel has:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

[pbusardo]

Consider an AMD board then.

The GPU in this board spanks anything Intel has:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Asking me to switch to AMD is like asking me to switch to a Mac. Ain't gonna happen. Sorry, I'm an Intel guy.

Remember, I'm not building a gaming machine, just a simple HTPC with solid performance.

[poofyhairguy]

Asking me to switch to AMD is like asking me to switch to a Mac. Ain't gonna happen. Sorry, I'm an Intel guy.

I like Intel too (check my sig, all my rigs are Intel), but their GPUs are so terrible compared to the competition its not even funny. Worse post-processing, less robust decoding, issues with 24p, no decent hardware color correction and an overall power that is half of either the lowest end AMD and Nvidia offer.

Here is my full rant on the subject:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=682...stcount=28

I can never in good conscience recommend someone with such a large case stick with the onboard Intel GPU. I mean heck, there are GT210s that are $10 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

[pbusardo]

I like Intel too, but their GPUs are so terrible compared to the competition its not even funny. Worse post-processing, less robust decoding, issues with 24p, no decent hardware color correction and an overall power that is half of either the lowest end AMD and Nvidia offer.

Here is my full rant on the subject:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=682...stcount=28

I can never in good conscience recommend someone with such a large case stick with the onboard Intel GPU. I mean heck, there are GT210s that are $10 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

I appreciate the info, but this is more than I need to understand. Again, just looking for solid, glitch free 1080p playback.

[poofyhairguy]

Again, just looking for solid, glitch free 1080p playback.

That is what everyone wants. That is why I say add a Nvidia GPU.

I have over 1000 HD movies. Only Nvidia can play them all flawlessly.

[darkscout]

I appreciate the info, but this is more than I need to understand. Again, just looking for solid, glitch free 1080p playback.

And that's the advice he gave you. You just refuse to listen.
"Poofy: Here's A, B, and C that will do X, Y,Z you asked for."
"You: Ewww. I A, B or C make me feel funny."

It seems that you've already made up your mind. So, I'll just verify what you want to hear:
GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 is hands down the best motherboard money can buy. In no way shape or form is a Full ATX over kill or too large for a dedicated HTPC. You'll be sure to use all 4 slots of your DDR3. (I don't even know how my Micro ATX with 1 DDR2 slot with 1GB ever managed to play a 20MB/s MKV, must have been that weekend I was on acid). I forever regret not getting a motherboard with out 3 PCI and 3 PCI-E 1x slots. I mean. Without that expandability I might as well have bought a Mac! I sadly look around when it comes time to plug my 2G iPod in to a Fireport, but my HTPC has none. Not this GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3. It has a Firewire port! This Motherboard is the End-All Be-All of Dedicated HTPC motherboards. People only wish they had the cash to spend on one.

And seriously, you're that hard core brand loyal to Intel? Why, it's a freaking chip company. Pick the best tool for the job. I have an Apple laptop. I like it. To me, it is the best tool for the job. But I run Ubuntu/Intel/Nvidia HTPC. An Debian/AMD server.

[ghostelement]

Is anyone using this MB for a dedicated HTPC? Looking for comments/experience.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128437

Plan on pairing with a Intel Core i3-560 and using the onboard HDMI to feed my receiver.

Want a quality image and quality 7.1 audio.

Thanks!

I built a system using that motherboard for my dad to run XBMC. It worked fine for awhile, but started having issues after a few months. RMA'd the board and gigabyte sent me back the board but it was totally dead. Had to send that one back to them again for a replacement. Still waiting to get that one in the mail.

When the board worked, it was great. It was running windows 7 x64. Hooked up via onboard HDMI to the tv, and optical audio to his reciever. Played back 1080p content just fine using the onboard GPU.

Specs on the build I did:
CPU - Intel core i3 540
RAM - 4gigs DDR3
HDD - 240gig 7200 RPM SATA
Case - Mini ITX case with 240watt Power Supply.

Just watch out, because gigabyte support is horrible to deal with. If you're looking at getting a new CPU with a new motherboard, I would go with the new sandybridge stuff. (socket 1155).