G45 mATX boards for HTPC build

Kwikas · **27th July 2008, 10:35 PM**

I know it's early days but are any of you looking at these for an upcoming build? I'm thinking about the Intel DG45ID or the Asus P5Q-EM specifically.

Now that the G45 boards are coming out, I can finally look seriously at my build and the mATX form factor is most likely the way I'll go.

What are your thoughts about the specs on these boards or any other G45's you might be considering?

Just interested..........

pantonious · **28th July 2008, 12:13 AM**

i didn't realise they were released yet?

the G35 was a BIG let down...and im not sure about the G45...

personally i would go with an NVIDIA 8200/8300 or ATI 780G/790GX over the G45...however, if you *must* go with an Intel CPU, then it seems the G45 is your only intergrated option...

slimf · **28th July 2008, 11:48 AM**

I think I will upgrade to the G45 (Currently running the Asus P5E VM HDMI) and will palm off the current board to the parents new PC :-P

FYI - the P5Q-EM page can be found here: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...13&modelmenu=1

It will be interesting to see how much better (if at all) the graphics are compared to the current G35 (which plays back video badly - visible interlace tearing) I hope they fix this

David

Kwikas · **28th July 2008, 04:36 PM**

Yes, I think it will be interesting to see whether the G45 chipsets obviate the video problems the G35 has had.

I'm going to run a Xonax HDAV1.3 deluxe card set with the mobo because I need analogue out.....

david256 · **31st July 2008, 03:51 AM**

They are starting to be listed. It shouldn't be too long before store have stocks.

Asus P5Q-EM
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=761

Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...=GA-EG45M-DS2H

Sven Nijs · **31st July 2008, 08:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by david256

They are starting to be listed. It shouldn't be too long before store have stocks.

Asus P5Q-EM
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=761

Gigabyte GA-EG45M-DS2H
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...=GA-EG45M-DS2H

I see the EG45M-DS2H is listed at the same RRP as the EP45-DS3 so ~$145 retail?

It's unfortunate the graphics expansion slot is actually only x4 and not full PCIe 2.0 x16.

Quote:

1 x PCI Express x4 slot (Refer to the VGA device support list.)

Looks like the Asus will be the winner here as it has a full speed graphics slot available and better audio (ALC1200) I think.

Quote:

1 x PCIe 2.0 x16

pantonious · **31st July 2008, 09:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven Nijs

I see the EG45M-DS2H is listed at the same RRP as the EP45-DS3 so ~$145 retail?

It's unfortunate the graphics expansion slot is actually only x4 and not full PCIe 2.0 x16.

Looks like the Asus will be the winner here as it has a full speed graphics slot available and better audio (ALC1200) I think.

isn't the point of these motherboards that you don't need a video card???

that slot might be used for a 1x tuner instead, and that doesn't matter if the slot is 4x...

the thing i am worried about wiht the GB is this

Quote:

5. Built-in TPM chip with 2048bits encryption to highest level digital data protection

possible DRM FTL

Sven Nijs · **31st July 2008, 10:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantonious

isn't the point of these motherboards that you don't need a video card???

that slot might be used for a 1x tuner instead, and that doesn't matter if the slot is 4x...

I fully agree for its intended purpose but why would you (given a choice at the same pricepoint) buy the hamstrung product?

You may well buy it now without any intention of adding a graphics card but as we all know, when we want to upgrade things get moved down the food-chain and a discrete graphics card may be required then for example.

zbrannigan · **16th September 2008, 02:05 PM**

Just out of interest Kwikas,

How did you go with the Intel & Asus boards?

I'm looking at the same 2 boards as I want to keep to a mATX form factor to fit in my case.

I'de be interested in knowing how they perform and if I'de be better off using a mATX board without graphics and using a graphics card. Does anyone have an idea of a good combination?!

Cheers,

Zap

Kwikas · **20th September 2008, 10:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally posted by zbrannigan
Just out of interest Kwikas,

How did you go with the Intel & Asus boards?

I'm looking at the same 2 boards as I want to keep to a mATX form factor to fit in my case.

I'de be interested in knowing how they perform and if I'de be better off using a mATX board without graphics and using a graphics card. Does anyone have an idea of a good combination?!

Not yet zap.

I'm following this thread over at AVS because it's probably the most up to date research you can get in one place....but be prepared for a long read.......

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1057809

I will go with a G45 board - most likely the ASUS P5Q-EM. I do have the luxury of waiting a bit before my build. That's not a bad thing given some of the issues to date.

My intention is to go without a grahics card....that's the real beauty of this mobo - for me anyway.

Cheers