New AM2 based Biostar board w/ 7050 IGP and HDMI

[rowle1jt]

Sounds like a nice board, it will be interesting when the reviews come out. Claims to support full 1080i out of the box with the on board 7050!

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7217

[nitrogen_widget]

This does look nice.
But, shouldn't there be a fan on the GPU chip?
If that's a pic of the actual MB.

[rowle1jt]

This board is aimed directly at HTPC use, and adding an active cooler (fan based) for the north bridge instead of the passive that is in place will make more noise. Most chip set fans spin about 10,000,000,000 RPM (or at least sound like it!) to keep things cool. Chip set and video card fans are the biggest producers of noise in a pc, unless there is a really cheap cpu HSF installed. I would imagine the video chip would run warm, but they won't build it with out a fan if it can't take it. Biostar has to warranty it after all. The 6150 in my rig doesn't run warm at all, granted I am not doing high def on it at 1080i as this board is supposed to be capable of either.

The board layout and specs would be awesome in my case (see my sig) as there is plenty of air moving around.

With the price of AM2 cpu's now dirt cheap... this board is tempting, except that I would need to replace my DDR with DDR2.

[rowle1jt]

Biostar website for the board: Here

ExtremeTech First look: Here



Board Pic:

[nitrogen_widget]

From the angle in the pic I see the heatsink is fairly tall.
I just hear gforce 7000 core & I think about the heat it may throw off & just thought it would have some kind of cooling other than a heat sink.

I'm of course using a graphics card as my basis for these thoughts though so I probably don't know what i'm talking about. LOL!

[rowle1jt]

Like processors, as video chips evolve, they run cooler and more efficiently, therefore it can use a smaller cooler.




For instance, I have a 7300GT in my desktop box, and its fan less. Silent... I love it! Props to Newegg for the picture.

[rowle1jt]

Full Review online... HERE


Edit: Newegg is now stocking the board as well... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813138061

[-Oz-]

if i stole HTPC2's parts this would almostbe cheaper than adding on an extra videocard for HD viewing.

[whurlston]

Sweet looking board. Newegg is out of stock now.

[teejay_c]

I get mine tomorrow. It'll take me a few days to get it all set up and get my hands on some HD content for testing, but I'll report back to this thread...