Mobo recommendations for HTPC/file server

[pointdablame]

Hello all

I'm doing some early research on a file server/media server and thought I'd ask for some opinions on motherboards before I dive in.

What I am looking for:
[*] * Intel CPU support -- I'd like to go dual or quad core with the system
[*] * Minimum of 6 SATA ports
[*] * RAID 5 support -- I will most likely be setting up a 5 drive array
[*] * HD content capable -- This system will be streaming HD video to my TV as one of it's main uses. If any board/chipset is more "media friendly" I'd like to know, though I'm sure any mobo will handle this these days.
[*] * Gaming is not a concern, it will be seeing very minimal gameplay if anything at all.
[*] * Stable -- I won't be overclocking this system at all most likely (or very, very minimally)
[*] * NOTE: I'm leaning towards a Radeon HD 3850 for a video card on a friend's recommendation. Not sure if choosing ATI or Nvidia should affect my mobo choice.

In my early research, a friend suggested this mobo: ASUS Maximus It looks good on the surface, but I need to look into it some more.

I also just grabbed the excel sheet linked in the Mobo recommendations thread which should prove REALLY useful (Kudos to renethx for limkin to that and setting up that thread), and looking over the mobos listed there

Does anyone else know of a mobo that I should check out? Personal experience or just opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[kjboughton]

Check out the ASUS P5E-VM?

 

[pointdablame]

I hadn't looked at that yet, but will. Thanks.

I'm taking a look at the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS4 (rev. 2.0) and the DFI LANPARTY UT P35-T2R recommended in the Mobo thread as well.

 

[MeSh1]

are you building a sff to go with your entertainment center? It looks like youre going full ATX. I think thats why kjb suggest that board. its mATX and i believe you can get hdmi which is ideal for someone building an htpc.

 

[pointdablame]

I've got a shuttle currently as my main system. This build will be more file server than HTPC, so ATX is fine with me really. I'm still trying to weigh the pros and cons of all the boards I'm looking at so if anyone has more opinions, please feel free to share.

 

[kjboughton]

File Server? HTPC?

Get yourself an mATX board with onboard video (G35 has X3500): http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/g35/index.htm

That's why I recommended the ASUS P5E-VM. This board has HDMI, which means interfacing with a receiver is easy. Then get yourself 2 or 4GB of cheap DDR2 (4 if you go with a x64 OS) and a cool 45nm dual-core CPU (like the new E8400 C2D). Pick out a nice mATX case you like (Lian-Li has a nice one) and as many drives as you need and you are up and running. WD's line of "green" drives are big, low power, cool and quiet...

-FCG