HD HTPC/MediaPC - AMD or Intel?

[SiM]

I would avoid getting a grpahics card... I have learned recently that DD TrueHD and DTS MA are not fully supported on any current range card... Use onboard solution for now and upgrade graphics in a year...

[Thor]

I would avoid getting a grpahics card... I have learned recently that DD TrueHD and DTS MA are not fully supported on any current range card... Use onboard solution for now and upgrade graphics in a year...

Uh, ok but I was going to go for the AMD solution anyways with onboard video, all I need to know now is does anyone know if the Abit A-S78H motherboard supports HDCP over HDMI, if not then I guess I'll have to buy either the ASUS or Gigabyte version of this board?

[Lourdes]

The only downside to 780G is that the audio over HDMI is only S/PDIF. The upcoming G45 (1-2 weeks) will have full HDMI audio support.

Don't go mad with a cooler, I run a 4450e with the stock HSF at 5v and temps are really low - could probably run it passive. No point spending near £30 on a cooler.

[Thor]

The only downside to 780G is that the audio over HDMI is only S/PDIF. The upcoming G45 (1-2 weeks) will have full HDMI audio support.

Don't go mad with a cooler, I run a 4450e with the stock HSF at 5v and temps are really low - could probably run it passive. No point spending near £30 on a cooler.

Like I said before, I don't need the audio over HDMI, I'll only be using the Video. I'll be using the analog outs for the HD Audio.

I'm seriously thinking of going with the Intel setup now as no one seems to know if the Abit 780G board can do HDCP over HDMI plus I've read several conflicting reviews on the ASUS and Gigabyte versions of crashing n such which is putting me off that board and it's all doing my head in.

I'm thinking go with my gut and what I know to be solid, Intel, I don't care if it costs me £70 odd more than the AMD as at least I know it should work ok, oh and as for going mad on a cooler, well, I've got a WC setup for my main rig which cost in excess of £300+ so I don't find a £27 odd air cooler to be mad expensive, but then again that's just my opinion.

Thanks for the heads up anyways Lourdes.

[Lourdes]

HDCP works fine on all the 780G boards, I have the Gigabyte and J&W ones and haven't had an issue which you wouldn't get with a discrete ATi card as well. What's so special about the Abit board?

[Thor]

HDCP works fine on all the 780G boards, I have the Gigabyte and J&W ones and haven't had an issue which you wouldn't get with a discrete ATi card as well. What's so special about the Abit board?

What revision of the Gigabyte motherboard have you got: v1.0 or 1.1?

It's been said by a few people that the Abit board is more reliable than the Gigabyte/ASUS versions, tis why I was going to choose one, until I couldn't find any info on the Abit board supporting HDCP over HDMI.

[Lourdes]

1.0, I've setup six systems with the Gigabyte board and all were fine. There's no reason why one would be any more reliable than the other. Most people have gone for the Gigabyte boards so you're more likely to ehar os issues with them, although these issues would apply to every other 780g board really. Just buy whichever one is cheapest and has the features you want, Abit lacks eSATA I see but a simple adaptor sorts that.

[Thor]

1.0, I've setup six systems with the Gigabyte board and all were fine. There's no reason why one would be any more reliable than the other. Most people have gone for the Gigabyte boards so you're more likely to ehar os issues with them, although these issues would apply to every other 780g board really. Just buy whichever one is cheapest and has the features you want, Abit lacks eSATA I see but a simple adaptor sorts that.

I'm not in need of the e-sata port so that's not a problem, what does worry me with the Gigabyte board is this thread with quite a few bad reviews.

If I do choose the 780G board over the Intel setup then I think I will replace the standard stock Northbridge cooler with a Thermalright HR-05 Northbridge Cooler

[this_is_gav]

Or lord, it's Newegg. At least read a tech forum like SPRC

For what it's worth, I did built a PC around the Gigabyte board at work (no idea if it's rev 1.0 or 1.1 or whatever) and its been flawless in it's relatively short life so far, though I've no experience of HD of any description with it - it's just the PC that the IT Co-ord uses.

[Lourdes]

I'm not in need of the e-sata port so that's not a problem, what does worry me with the Gigabyte board is this thread with quite a few bad reviews.

If I do choose the 780G board over the Intel setup then I think I will replace the standard stock Northbridge cooler with a Thermalright HR-05 Northbridge Cooler

400 reviews that are mostly positive with the poor ones being DOA...

None of them need more NB cooling, the 80~ degree temp is an anomaly not the northbridge.

[Thor]

400 reviews that are mostly positive with the poor ones being DOA...

None of them need more NB cooling, the 80~ degree temp is an anomaly not the northbridge.

Hmm, wouldn't hurt adding extra cooling mind. Currently waiting to hear back from Abit to see if their 780G board supports HDCP over HDMI.

[staffsMike]

Hmm, wouldn't hurt adding extra cooling mind. Currently waiting to hear back from Abit to see if their 780G board supports HDCP over HDMI.

All 780G's do I'm sure. No point in them if they don't and I thought HCDP was a given if there is HDMI?

[Thor]

All 780G's do I'm sure. No point in them if they don't.

hell, why Scan had to say it doesn't support HDCP is beyond me, would have saved me several hours of mind numbing searching for a replacement, Grrr...

Thanks staffsMike.
Right, time for bed...

[staffsMike]

Got me doubting it now :S

Must find the answer lol Well the ASUS does and thats the same price near enough so could always get that I suppose.

Well the abit have all the jargon for supporting blu ray etc.. so it surely does :S I'm so confused lol

[Lourdes]

As I said earlier they all support HDCP....

[Thor]

EMail Response from Abit today:
Dear customer,

Yes, HDCP is supported.

Like is noted in this review for example:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14261

High-definition-ness is carried all the way through to the HD 3200's outputs, which include not only VGA and DVI, but also HDMI and even DisplayPort. HDCP is supported, as well, and the 780G is smart enough to be able to route S/PDIF audio through its HDMI output.

As I said earlier they all support HDCP....

So yeah, should have listened to you

I blame Scan for having the incorrect info in the first place!
Ah well, nm, all ordered now anyways.