Athlon 4800+? (and motherboard recommendation)

DukeOfYabo · **4th July 2008, 09:35 AM**

I currently have a spare AMD AM2 Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (65W) processor that I thought I might use as the basis of my HTPC.

I will be using the HVR-1300 tuner which I also currently own.

I want to record TV for viewing back later and I want to centralise my DVD collection. I wouldn't be doing any video conversions.

Is the 4800+ powerful enough for the HTPC?
Is there a standout motherboard that would suit this processor? (I prefer Asus but I'm flexible).

I would be viewing on my InFocus IN76 (1280x720) projector via a component video connection.

Thanks!

Duke

DukeOfYabo · **4th July 2008, 10:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeOfYabo

I would be viewing on my InFocus IN76 (1280x720) projector via a component video connection.

Actually, I want to clarify this point. I definitely have a spare component video connection cabled into my home theatre cabinet. All my HDMI cables are currently in use, but I probably won't need my existing DVD player when I have the home theatre PC so I could use that HDMI connection, am I right?

Duke

pantonious · **4th July 2008, 10:42 AM**

The Gigabyte 780G motherboard (can't remember the exact model...heaps of posts on here about it) is a good one with onboard Video/HDMI.

It does not have componant out, but if u will free up a HDMI then that would work a treat.

Does your HiFi support Audio over HDMI???

DukeOfYabo · **4th July 2008, 11:06 AM**

Thanks for the recommendation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantonious

Does your HiFi support Audio over HDMI???

Yes!

becje01 · **4th July 2008, 03:07 PM**

DukeOfYabo

I currently use a P4 3Ghz with VMC, and everything works ok (hooked up to my Plasma via VGA @ 720p) - we watch and record HD channels, watch DVDs and Divx etc - I can also play 720p MKV files fine.

I don't do anything exotic like ad stripping of shows, transcoding to Xbox etc, but I would suggest your dual core CPU should be fine. I found with my system the addition of an ATI HD3450 PCI-E video card helped enormously, but this card was low cost (approx $60).

I would suggest the 780g motherboard should be fine, in the worst case you may need to add a discrete video card but I doubt it...

Good Luck !

Jeff

DukeOfYabo · **5th July 2008, 02:38 PM**

Thanks all for the help. I think I will definitely go for the 780G and will wait for the GA-MA78GPM-DS2H to come out. Sounds like a really nice board. Can't wait!

Cheers,
Duke

Sven Nijs · **6th July 2008, 09:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeOfYabo

will wait for the GA-MA78GPM-DS2H to come out. Sounds like a really nice board. Can't wait!

I inquired with Gigabyte as to when it would be available and got the usual "ask your local distributor" response. I'll make some inquiries with them during the week.

DionM · **6th July 2008, 03:11 PM**

I use a 4800+ in my HTPC for Vista Home Premium MC. 4GB RAM on a GA-MA69 series motherboard. Have used the onboard HDMI and VGA (currently settled on VGA, easier to drive my 32" panel with) no problems playing .avis and DVD rips. Haven't tried any Hi-Def content yet so can't comment on performance with a tuner card. But it does all that happily, including downloading windows updates and copying files in the background while watching movies (which are streamed over the LAN from my NAS).

I am about to build a second machine and will use a 4800+ for that as well. Good budget performer.

DukeOfYabo · **7th July 2008, 07:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by umart.net.au

HI:

Its new model GA-MA78GPM-DS2H eta will be 26/07

TKS

UMART

Not as soon as I would like of course, but I'll wait.