Motherboard for AMD HTPC

Hi All,

I'm going to be rebuilding my HTPC in the next month or so, and have already decided on the new Sempron 140 as the CPU. From a quick google, it appears this is a core-disabled Athlon II X2 and *can* be unlocked with ACC to a full dual core.

So - which mATX motherboard would people recommend to give me good value features *and* a chance to unlock my second core? My first inclincation is one of the ASUS AM3 785G EVO (the mATX version of the one Hexus reviewed a week or so ago) @ £68, the AM2+ version of the same board, which is about £5 cheaper, or a Biostar 790GX-XE @ £70 (which has better GPU performance but a slightly lesser GPU feature-set). Have I missed any serious contenders?

I think you have done your research.

Apparently I didn't find them all - microdirect have a 780G with SB710 by ASRock. Any thoughts? It'd really bring the cost of the build down...

The one on Ebuyer says it has an SB700 southbridge:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160999

The spec sheet says it can be either the SB700 or SB710 southbridge:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=A780GM-LE

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.as...A780GM-LE/128M

Also the Asus 780G motherboards have dropped in price too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...-uATX-VGA-HDMI

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150278

I use this Asus board as the basis for my HTPC. Its got the nvidia 8300 onboard and supports HD
http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ib5l0-g0eay00z

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

The spec sheet says it can be either the SB700 or SB710 southbridge:

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I wonder if microdirect would let me take the southbridge heatsink off to check..? :laugh:

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Originally Posted by s_kinton

I use this Asus board as the basis for my HTPC. Its got the nvidia 8300 onboard...

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Thanks for the thought kinton - I considered an 8300 in case I want a more powerful gaming GPU later that I can turn off when I'm just watching DVDs (HybridPower is a wonderful concept) but the possibility of unlocking a £27 processor to a full dual core is pretty tempting... ;)

You could check through software what SB was used. CPU-Z would show you. :)

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Originally Posted by watercooled

You could check through software what SB was used. CPU-Z would show you. :)

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True, but I want to check *before* I buy it ;) So unless I get an agreement that I can take it back if it doesn't have the SB710...

Ahh right gotcha. You could try emailing them and remember to keep a copy of the email saying you are guaranteed the SB710, if that are willing to do it that is.

tbh, since it's Microdirect I can actually call in at lunchtime or on my way home one day! I'm just weighing up the financial saving of 780G vs. the feature set of 785G or the increased performance on 790GX. But from the low number of responses it doesn't look like I've missed any obvious candidate motherboards, so I guess I'll just have to go away and ponder those three options...

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Originally Posted by scaryjim

tbh, since it's Microdirect I can actually call in at lunchtime or on my way home one day! I'm just weighing up the financial saving of 780G vs. the feature set of 785G or the increased performance on 790GX. But from the low number of responses it doesn't look like I've missed any obvious candidate motherboards, so I guess I'll just have to go away and ponder those three options...

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I would go for the 785G since it has improved UVD and of course it has the SB710 too. Also there are 785G based motherboards with sideport RAM too and the IGP overclocks well if sufficiently cooled.