Low Profile HTPC Video Card Options

[andresj]

I’m slowly accumulating parts for a new HTPC build (over the course of 3 months or so) and I just saw the new Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128445) board released. So far it has no reviews and not the most extensive documentation or research. I know that it has 2 PCIe “x16″ slots (if they are both filled they both run in x4). Nowhere does any features list for this board list it as supporting CrossfireX…only Hybrid Crossfire for dualing with the onboard graphics. Other motherboards list both.

1. Does this mean that the board does not support CrossfireX between two discrete graphics cards installed in the 2 PCIe x16 slots? Bottom line…can I Crossfire two low profile graphics cards in the two PCIe x16 slots on this board?
2. I have read that there is a minimal performance decrease between x16 and x8 when using Crossfire…how much more of a hit do I take by using x4? Does this no longer make it a worthwhile investment?

I ask these questions with regards to future possible upgrades of my HTPC. When I complete it in 2 weeks I will initially be using the onboard graphics (HD 4250). However, I plan on upgrading in the near future as games require and funds permit to at least something like the Sapphire Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCIe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102875). Could I do Hybrid Crossfire with this card and the onboard HD 4250? Again, I would eventually want to add another HD 5570 in Crossfire mode but I want to upgrade in steps.

What this all boils down to is this: I’m debating between getting this brand new GA-880GMA board with its 2 PCIe slots in hopes of increased options in the future. If none of this is possible or if it’s not worth the increase in price then I will go back to the GA-785GMT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128432&cm_re=785_gigabyte-_-13-128-432-_-Product) I was initially planning on using.

I plan on using this HTPC primarily for HD video playback (including Blu-ray), some media storage as I add a few more hard drives in the future and potentially some gaming on the big screen TV. My current components list follows with the items I already have noted:

Case: Vidabox vCase3 – 149.99 (ALREADY HAVE)
http://www.vidabox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_11&products_id=118&zenid=fc64e20b408acc2a915731f6c25f7a04

PSU: SeaSonic S12II 520W Bronze ATX12V – 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx…N82E16817151073

MoBo: Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H AM3 AMD 880G Micro ATX – 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx…N82E16813128432

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz AM3 65W – 67.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103844

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel – 109.99 (ALREADY HAVE)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

HD: Intel X25-V 2.5” 40GB SATA II SSD – 124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025

Optical: Lite-On Black 4x Blu-Ray – 64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx…N82E16827106326

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit – 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx…N82E16832116754

TOTAL: $787.92

Thanks as always, please give it to me straight…
– J

[Author]

Posts