Will this boot?

[Webby]

For HD video playback using integrated graphics you really need one of 3 chipsets, 780G (AMD), 8200 (nVidea for AMD procs) and G43/5 (Intel). As to sound over HDMI the 780G chipset supports it natively I think the other two have work arounds to make it work but will depend on the board.

I was under the impression that if you went into S3 (sleep or suspend whatever it is) that you could get it to wake up for recordings.

For a low power media centre PC I would be looking at AMD the 4850e for its 45W TDP will be plenty enough grunt and will stay nice and cool

[Will404]

Ok, but you have the software to do this, and how remotly will you be doing it from (wouldnt it be hard to do over the internet)

and XFX's site dont mention WOL, or wake on lan???

[ReapsOS]

yes, S3 is fine for waking up when the recording is scheduled, but not if it's something new that you want to schedule. I use Webguide to be able to access the PC relatively safely online to schedule the recordings, but it's a webserver running on the media center pc, so to access it you need to have the PC fully on.

[Will404]

OK then. Seems like alot of hassel to me, you could decide what you want to record b4 going out

[ReapsOS]

lol you're probably right.

I've survived without it all these years, I just always regretted not getting a mobo with it on, it's just so useful.

You're out, and you forgot to put something on record and using your mobile just browse and set up the record, works great! But at the moment it only works when the computer is on

[Will404]

Lol, but can you turn it on (with WOL) from your mobile

[strike-down]

The xfx board does have wake on lan
http://www.motherboards.org/imagevie...1799_p5_19.jpg
review posted on the xfx site, that is photo of the bios with the resume on lan option

[ReapsOS]

good point will, maybe i should just stay with the original motherboard?

[strike-down]

I would actually recommend the XFX board over the gigabyte, Saves you a bit of money, and it generally has more features suited to an HTPC. The chipset is a fantastic one

[ReapsOS]

My main concern with the xfx is the lack of optical output in case I change my audio setup in the future...

[strike-down]

Fair point, but me personally, if I wanted to upgrade my audio setup in the future, I'd just get a separate soundcard when the upgrade happens
Comes down to whether you want the extra purchase later on or not, which i take it you dont so if thats the case, then if the gigabyte board has an optical output, then go for that. Looks a decent enough board.

[ReapsOS]

with the case i have, i've only got two pci or one pci/one agp slots available, so before the new graphics card, i had only one slot, and that was for the tuner. Now i've got two, i'll probably buy another tuner!

Well i've gone ahead and ordered the xfx motherboard with the 4850e processor, let's hope all works out ok!

Thanks again to everyone for all their help, it's very much appreciated. How do you do this "thanks" point system on this board??

[strike-down]

Check in the FAQ and search 'Rewards' for the exact post count you need, but you havent reached the required number of posts to get the thanks option Also, let us know how it goes

[Will404]

Yer, hope that your new mcpc goes well, and remember to post any other questions you have about it.

[strike-down]

Lol, but can you turn it on (with WOL) from your mobile

It is actually possible to do this using the magic packet system, but it could get a little complex what mobile have you got?

[MrMyst]

I'm also wondering, does the motherboard that I've chosen support Wake On Lan?

yes GA-MA78GM-S2H supports WOL, you just need to enable bios option called PME EVENT WAKE UP and that's all