Any micro-ATX mobo with integrated graphics for HTPC?

[Koonzt]

Hi,

Im looking for days now on insanlymac/OSx86 Database/HCL for a micro-ATX mobo with integrated graphics that will do it without flaws.

No Luck.
Do you have any suggestions?

Because the system will be setup as a HTPC (with some gaming skills) for a 720p Projector the hardware for sound (In/Out/Digital) and embeded video must work without flaws.

Id like to have more than 4 Gig and an option for ddr3 and PCIe 2.0, so thats the reason I dont take the GA-EG31M-S2.

AMD or Intel are welcome. Id prefer a Gigabyte/Intel if it is as solid as the old Gigabyte mobos, but would be happy to be able to save some money on an AMD system.


These would be nice features, but not must haves:
- passiv cooled
- energy efficient
- HDMI
- DVI
- Firewire
- PCIe 2.0
- Gbit-Lan (optinal: 2x)
- 8 channel audio

I want to use an Apple Remote with Mira, maybe this is important for the mobo?

Thanks in advance for any replay on this nOObish question :-)
K!

[Koonzt]

Hi,

in case you tink Im a nOOb to hackintosh, ... right :-)

When you think I did not search and am just lazy asking this question here for a thousand time... nope, not at all.

I dont want to pour negativity here, how could I, you guys did a great job.

But database on insanlyMax and HCL on www.osx86project.org (http://www.osx86project.org) are really out of date, delivering absolutly no info on the form factors of listed mobos and information about compability are contradicting often.


Since days Im looking through the forums of different places.

Anybody can put me in the right direction finding a micro-atx mobo that delivers some performance?

- 8Gb, PCI 2.0
- Sound, Network, Firewire ... all work after sleep and wake up?

Thanks!
K

[naquaada]

With the board I can't help you, but for Mira you need an eHome compatible IR receiver/transceiver. You'll get them rather cheap with an Windows Media Center remote control. But there are some which aren't working, don't use one from Windows Media Center 2003, only 2005.

[kDawg]

That's a tall order. You'd be hard pressed to find all that in a full sized board. If you really want a flawless Mac HTPC then I would get a new Mini. That's what I did. I have an OSX86 machine I use full time but as far as compatibility, size and IR remote… get the Mini.

I done the research already.

[LawlessPPC]

i agree it is a tall order but i dont beleive its impossible especially as your after microatx and not mini itx. These tend to be standard boards with 2 or 3 slots missing to meet the form factor. It will however require lots and lots of research. Best to find a supported chipset then start looking for boards that way rather than the other way round. Also dont go of what a particular distro can offer or claims to do. Go of what drivers are available wether in a distro or not.

[Koonzt]

thanks kDawgs for the Info,

I own already a Mac Book Pro (1.3) and therefore an Apple Remote. I just thougt the mobo to choose must fullfill some sort of special specs to make them both a couple.


And thanks naquaada,

mhh... Id choose a mac-mini when I'd had the money and itself some advanced gaming capabilities.

I think I just keep on looking around and reading the threads... maybe a MCE Linux would be a good partner in crime, I just dont want to go back on MS Windows (exept gaming) ;-)

Who knows what snow leopard will bring us with the next gen of nvidia driven iMacs, etc.

But thanks so far.

Greetz
K!

[Koonzt]

Best to find a supported chipset then start looking for boards that way rather than the other way round. Also dont go of what a particular distro can offer or claims to do. Go of what drivers are available wether in a distro or not.

yeah, I will go on looking around.
thanks for the tip!

Mini-ITX + efficient Quads + PCIe + Risercard + ultra nice casing ..... would be a darn nice and hot thing ...


I agree it is a tall order but i dont beleive its impossible

I mean, the (logical) problem is, Apple has moved on to nvidia chips and so new Intel chips are no longer supported.

At the same time, we dont have a lot of nvidia 9300/9400 boards right now.

6 to know of: Gigabyte, DFI, Zotac, Asus/ASrock and MSI and maybe we stilll have some time to wait???

Too sad they all are not supporting OS X very well ...

Greetz
K!

[naquaada]

Mac Mini is nothing for gaming with its crappy Intel GMA 950 chipset. A mac Mini isn't useful at all, it's only small. But for the money of a Mac Mini you'll get a fantasic OSx86 system.

[kDawg]

The new Minis have NVIDIA 9400M chips with up to 256MB shared DDR3 RAM. Not stupendous but better than the Intel chipset. I've maxed mine out with 4GB RAM and a 7200RPM hard drive plus and external 2TB drive to hold all my movies, music and photos. I use Plex as my front end HTPC.

[LawlessPPC]

yeah, I will go on looking around.
thanks for the tip!

Mini-ITX + efficient Quads + PCIe + Risercard + ultra nice casing ..... would be a darn nice and hot thing ...




I mean, the (logical) problem is, Apple has moved on to nvidia chips and so new Intel chips are no longer supported.

At the same time, we dont have a lot of nvidia 9300/9400 boards right now.

6 to know of: Gigabyte, DFI, Zotac, Asus/ASrock and MSI and maybe we stilll have some time to wait???

Too sad they all are not supporting OS X very well ...

Greetz
K!

the zotac 9300 itx board im really interested im thinking of getting one