abit Fatality F-190HD Motherboard

Introduction:

We've recently had a good run of HTPC enclosures and related hardware that are right at the top as dream systems go. The HTPC market originally spawned hardware and software that relied on the current graphics native resolutions for proper viewing. Graphics cards can produce some great resolutions just by themselves without any special formats or drivers. Then, a short time after the HTPC started down the road to success, the industry received its biggest help from Microsoft with XP Media Edition. Media Edition enabled a great many new features and capabilities like remote control, wireless keyboards, and Wi-Fi external storage all at the touch of a button or screen. Right after that, HDMI format became a realization going from paper to product.

What is HDMI? High Definition Multi-Media Interface is completely digital audio and video signaling that can be transmitted in uncompressed streams. HDMI is has some characteristics that are arguably benefits and limitations: enter HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and Digital Rights Management. In a nut shell, anything that does not pass the proper coded requirements isn't supported. And yes, we all have seen and read the endless blogs arguing for and against any hardware based intervention which we won't get in today...just yet.

The thing is, HDMI and Component features are both here to stay and aren't going anywhere any time soon. And these things can only get better as you, the consumer, demands it by wisely spending your hard earned money on the products you want. Many companies, including Abit, has known for quite some time that HTPC systems of all kinds would soon be out there for the choosing. It's no surprise to see Abit systems paired up with many HTPC systems when you are configuring your components through E-tailers and Retailers alike. Abit has a new and aggressive look to their new flagship HTPC motherboard, the Fatality F-190HD.

Specifications:

• LGA 775

• ATI RX1250

• ATI RX700

• FSB1066

• HDMI 1080i

• PCI-E X16

• Dual DDR2-800

• Gigabit Ethernet

• 7.1 CH HD Audio

• SATA 3G RAID

• RoHS Compliancy

Closer Look:

The last HTPC intended motherboard to cross my work bench was the NF-M2 (AM2) Motherboard with the Mirage II onboard graphics processor. This particular board was so well designed that it was basically the only motherboard capable of great stock performance and yet, managed an impressive overclock. This is not a common feature of any Micro-ATX motherboard, nor was it even expected. The "Little Bushido" just seems to have heart! As with all revisions and redesigns, the F-190HD has a reminiscent appearance in all that has been used in building the platform. Japanese capacitors have been the favorite on motherboards that are capable of good voltage stability and overclocking.

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While the NF-M2 has the NVidia users covered, the F-190HD brings the now newly AMD-ATI merged ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 Chipset to the table sporting features that haven't been available in previous Micro-ATX motherboards. Along with the ATI Xpress 1250 comes the X700 graphics engine which isn't a slouch processor in its on rights. It isn't the strongest graphics processor available, but for a budget or HTPC oriented system, this is really more than enough to satisfy the user. To give you a better idea of its performance capabilities, it basically runs circles around the Mirage II Graphics processor integrated on the NF-M2 especially when it comes to the the Avivo features.

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The look of the F-190HD is also refreshing. The NF-M2 had a very cool, yet sexy color theme that just made it all the more popular in many user's eyes. The F-190HD looks just as good, if not better with the black and red, sockets and heat sinks on red PCB. Every port and panel connector fits the Fatality theme to some degree, from the USB to the Audio. There are no disappointing surprises with the overall board layout. The P4 4pin onboard power connector is the only thing that might be a little tricky getting too if you use a large scale CPU cooler. And the lack of any kind of cooling on the PWM or MOSFETs may hint to the board having limited overclockability compared to the NF-M2. Thorough testing will tell.

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The concept of the HTPC is pretty simple. Integrate as much as possible in the smallest of components that use the least amount of power most efficiently which reduces heat and the need for noisier cooling options. Passive heat sinks keep the noise at bay. The noisiest components always tend to be the chipset fans, CPU, and graphics card coolers. You don't really want to have a loud HTPC if you can avoid it which is why there will be an even greater demand for passive cooled motherboards, graphics cards, and more silent CPU coolers. And using better capacitors will help a system operate all the more efficiently which means less wasted power and heat.

CPU Socket & Solid State Caps

4-SATA, 1 ATA, & Header

And if you haven't noticed the HD in the motherboard's model number, this designates the HDMI feature the F-190HD provides for the HTPC end user. After talking to several of the Northwest home theater specialists, it seems the enthusiast's numbers are split in half as to whether HDMI is a worthwhile format over typical Component A/V capabilities. You might be wondering why this particular board chose to go with the HDMI format over Component, but when sizing up the amount of hardware needed to integrate Component A/V, that tiny little HDMI port suddenly seems the feasible option. HDMI needs just one small cable to connect the motherboard to your HDTV or HD Cable box, where as Component Cables consist of 5 thicker, bundled wires that can get very expensive the longer the lengths.

Realtek 7.1 HD Audio

PCIE, PCIX, PCI

The board offers an SPDIF Optical out as well as 7.1 HD Audio provided by the integrated Realtek audio processor. The back of the board is standard with SP2, Integrated VGA, SPDIF, 7.1 Channel, USB, and GigaLAN ports. Again, the major difference is the HDMI port. One refreshing bonus is to see four SATA and ATA cables to fill the board's storage capabilities. Too many cable bundles come up very short and seem cheap when cutting corners.

Great Packaging

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