Motherboard for Media Center PC
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: AMD Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock AMD motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7245
Printed Date: 14 Jan 2025 at 10:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Motherboard for Media Center PC
Posted By: B25Mitch
Subject: Motherboard for Media Center PC
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 12:50am
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" rel="nofollow - I'm putting together a inexpensive media center PC, and I need a motherboard with 5.1 surround, preferably included in the HDMI out, to connect to my receiver. I'm looking at the A320M-HDV paired with an AMD A8, but I can't tell if it has audio in the HDMI. If it doesn't, any recommendations? Thanks for your help!
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Replies:
Posted By: zlobster
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 4:28am
Well, I don't really know the boards based on AMD's lesser chipset but I know one thing for sure - X370 has one of the BEST sounding audio you can find on motherboard! I consider myself an audiophile and I have a few pairs of high-end cans. The Taichi is rocking them like there's no tomorrow!  On the negative side - Taichi has NO HDMI, it's big, bulky and expensive. EDIT: it has S/PDIF, though! ------------- 1700X ZP-B1 (stock); X370 Taichi (UEFI 3.10); 16GB F4-3200C14-8GFX XMP; 256GB 960 EVO; RX 580 NITRO+ 8GB |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 5:38am
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For a media center you aren't going to be looking at overclocking performance so much as size, stability and features so the Taichi (awesome as it is) will be overkill for sure, that and no display outs as Zlobster already noted. I would steer clear of A320 boards, not because they are bad but because you get what you pay for and you will regret not spending a little more on an AB350 board later on. Personally I would look at the AB350M Pro4, small but not as expensive as an ITX board. It will also be better featured than the AB350M and AB350M-HDV. The price difference is not enough to sacrifice in favor of the cheaper options IMO. https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AB350M%20Pro4/index.asp Going MATX will also allow you to spend a little less on the case, M-ATX cases tend to be cheaper than both ATX and ITX cases because they are an odd size. The B350 chipset will also allow you to overclock and also upgrade to Raven Ridge APUs down the line with Vega powered graphics (assuming AMD doesn't pull an intel and change the socket). I would suggest you wait for raven ridge APUs to hit shelves but the current APUs are not super expensive and you could always sell it on later and upgrade when they do. If all you plan on doing with the PC is media then Raven Ridge would be overkill anyway. The new APUs (coming soon) will allow for respectable gaming performance without the need to buy a GPU, great for a TV bound system
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Posted By: kerberos_20
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2018 at 6:06am
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audio is available on hdmi http://support.amd.com/en-us/search/faq/258" rel="nofollow - http://support.amd.com/en-us/search/faq/258 as for audio quality...since it is digital output, sound card isnt used at all u will get PCM output, unless u will be playing dts/dolby content from dvd/blue ray, since its not soundcard (smt like soundblaster) u wont be able to encode pcm to dts/dolby on your own for more awesomness :) |