An interresting mobo for HTPC (1 Viewer)

[Sasler]

Albatron KI960-AM2

 

[Spragleknas]

Interesting indeed!
Although, after using a SFF as HTPC, I am going mATX at least next time.

 

[mzemina]

Sasler - The article doesn't describe the video chipset used. THAT is important!

 

[surfermc]

A bit more information including video chipset details.

 

[Spragleknas]

I believe it is called 1150 - it is a re-make of X700

 

[funkstar]

indeed, very interesting.

If you can build a system with it cheaper than the Commell Core2Duo mini-ITX boards and you can actualy get ahold of these, i think they will be very popular.

 

[Marcusb]

I use a similar Albatron Mobo. It's just a little bit bigger and still a lot smaller than a usual mATX mobo.
here's some details:
http://www.gamedude.com.au/prod_show.php?art_no=mbALkm51pv

Notice where the memory is compared to a usual 6150 mobo? Makes it much smaller. It was also one of the only 6150 boards that had built in VGA, DVI AND TV outputs. Seriously, what's the point of an HTPC board that doesn't have TV out...


People usually don't rate Albatron very highly, but I always have great experience with them. Much more positive than I do with Asus motherboards.

Albatron boards have been running my HTPC for the last four years, in some form or another.

 

[Sasler]

Sasler - The article doesn't describe the video chipset used. THAT is important!

For more info on the chipset (not the mobo):

AMD's 690G/V Series Chipset Preview and Benchmarks

Basically it seems that this new chipset has the fastest integrated graphics at the moment. Of course, integraded is no match for discreet graphics, but if one wants the small/silent (and cheap) HTPC with HDMI, component and SPDIF, then this mobo might look like a winner.

I have no experiense on Albatron, so I can't comment on quality.

 

[mzemina]

I now see that (after reading Marcusb post and the links) the video chipset is based on the Nvidia GeForce 6150.

Does that have enough horsepower for HD video? Has that been talked about in another thread?

 

[Sasler]

I now see that (after reading Marcusb post and the links) the video chipset is based on the Nvidia GeForce 6150.

Does that have enough horsepower for HD video? Has that been talked about in another thread?

No, that is incorrect. The mobo in Marcusb post is a different Albatron model. The KI690-AM2 is based on the AMD690 (formerly known as ATI RS690) chipset. This is currently the fastest INTERGRATED graphics solution, so in theory it should have no problem with HD video. However, I haven't got any experience on it or any other AMD690 chipset mobo, so I can't be sure.

Here is more info about it.