More Testing:

3D graphics performance is very comparable to the previously tested XPress 1250 integrated graphics performance. Call of Duty 2 is a some what older game that was used to show you what kind of performance to expect. Stock test settings provided a meager 15 to 19 frames per second while dropping some of the game settings allowed the game to reach about 30 to 35 frames which is just barely playable. Anything lower and the 3D performance becomes jittery and hard to follow. However, as previously mentioned, the DVD playback is extremely sufficient and acceptable.

COD2 Settings

2.4GHz Stock

3GHz Overclocked

Adding any of the latest 3D Graphics cards like the 8600 GTS PCI Express will afford you perfectly playable game experiences even with the latest game titles. Since, we know that this will always be the case with integrated graphics processors versus add on graphics cards, it's perfectly safe to say that if you want to be able to play up to date graphic intense video games on your 42 inch LCDTV, you'll be better off picking up any a new graphics card. It might also be worth while getting a card that has HDMI support so you can fully tap in to the high definition capabilities of your screen. Big screen gaming rocks!

ASRock 4Core1333

Abit F-190HD

Interestingly, the 4Core1333 out paced Abit's F-190HD by a slight margin. It's enough to out perform 3D apps and in Sisoft's Memory Benchmark tests. This was actually unexpected since both boards use the same chipsets with the BIOS being the largest varying difference between the two. Still, this is all the more proof anyone needs to understand that the ASROCK of old has long since continued to improve and change for the better. This also continues to position them as a more aggressive opponent.

Nicely Done ASROCK!

Overclocking the system was almost in a dead heat with the Abit F-190HD. Now, I know the system isn't aimed for this kind of performance. But, if the BIOS or any of the literature mentions overclocking options, I just have to do it. The results seem to prove the XPress 1250 has a limit of about 3GHz where it just won't pass up. And to reach this, you need to add voltage across the CPU and chipset. Leaving the BIOS voltages set to Default or Auto allowed the system to reach 2.72GHz from 2.4GHz. By its own right, it is at least a stable enough motherboard to handle this job without any tweaking. This overclock will only afford you another 3 to 5 frames per second during any gaming and get quite a bit more memory bandwidth out of the memory modules which is where a lot of the performance gains comes from as well.

2.7GHz Auto Settings

3GHz Manual Settings

The great things about HTPCs is that you can continue adding new software, music, and movies with something so simple as a pen drive. As audio formats change, it's nice to know you can find a patch or new software download to make a simple software upgrade giving your PC a new feature. Home entertainment products can't do that. When you buy it, that's the way it stays till the next audio or video format changes and then you're out dated, yet again. With an HTPC, you have the flexibility to improve upon the system and often for a lot less than any proprietary products cost. Everything localized in to one system capable of performing several functions at once.

Conclusion:

Once again, I am left wondering why I had to have a Sony home theater component system. Good money was spent on something that at one time seemed like the best value for the home theater experience. In terms of configuration and upgrades, A/V components have no possibility of upgrading. You get what you buy, and you get what you pay for. There really is very little comparison when you pit a good home built Home Theater PC against any one of the proprietary components available at the electronic stores. You would have to spend a pretty penny to get 7.1 High Definition Audio that is highly configurable. Otherwise, you'll find yourself spending less on a lesser system. Scalability is what most any HTPC has over your home entertainment components.

Despite a few confusing placements of connectors and ports, there really isn't much that could be counted against the test system. Large scale video games and processor intensive applications tend to require a more powerful chipset. For enjoying your favorite video, audio, or games, a system just needs a good performance balance. It's a well balanced price to performance ratio in that ASRock wisely made use of the RS600 and SB600 chipsets. It's not the most powerful pair, but coupled with the XPress 1250 it can do more than this kind of system needs.

ASRock's 4Core1333-FullHD HTPC Motherboard is just one of the key components in creating a great home theater PC. It also happens to be the most important feature especially when you expect stability and true performance. The features it offers makes it an ideal upgrade or start to your own slice of home theater heaven. With capabilities that rival that of the more expensive options, it can definitely provide a reliable platform as well as allow for future upgrades or improvements. With ASRock, HDMI support is no longer a luxury. Everyone can have it and appreciate it for much less than anything typically found at the stores.

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