Testing:

Using the X700 onboard graphics isn't nearly as powerful or capable of any immersed gaming. While it can easily handle the HTPC and HDMI performance, it really can't compare. Call of Duty 2 produced sub-par frames well under the 30 frames per second minimum which is no surprise. 3D performance is comparable to standard performance you can expect from other systems using a 7600 GT PCI Express graphics card. Call of Duty 2 was upwards of 60 frames per second with higher settings and resolutions. Adding a graphics card greater than a 7600 GT will help the system produce much higher frame rates and make most any game playable. Having the option of adding a more upscale graphics card is always a necessary and appreciated features.

COD 800x600

Stock Settings

Low Settings

Did I overclock the system? But of course! My last HTPC motherboard dubbed the "Little Bushido" was a most excellent base performer and excellent overclocker by AMD standards. The F-190HD looks to be the Intel based board that has a little something to offer. Without having to manually adjust voltages or memory timings, the system achieved a 2.7GHz CPU frequency which is a 300MHz improvement. After manually setting the memory voltage to 2.3v, increasing the chipset voltage up .25v, and increasing the CPU voltage to 1.375v, the system was then able to hit 2.93GHz which is a 325MHz CPU Bus or 1300MHz Front Side Bus. This is very comparable to the 650-SLI chipset's overclocked in previous tests. It might be possible to hit 3GHz with a bit more tweaking. But then again, based on the objective of the system, this is better than nothing for a budget aimed performer not to mention on an ATI XPress 1250 chipset.

2.7GHz Auto Voltages

2.9GHz Maximum

Memory bandwidth tests show that the Xpress 1250 chipset doesn't perform quite like the Intel 965P or 650-SLI chipsets. The bandwidth is a bit more comparable to the 915P or 945P chipsets. Since the board is aimed at the Home Theater sector, there isn't a huge need for more than it can provide. It still has more than enough power to offer up solid reliability which is exactly what you need when you are watching your favorite movie. It would be quite embarrassing if your prize HTPC reboots or freezes right in the middle of your movie.

The bottom line is pretty simple. Based on testing results, the F-190HD would be extremely useful installed in the Moncaso 932P Platinum or Zalman HD-160XT HTPC enclosure. Stability is so important if you plan on hosting any movie nights or just simply enjoying your own time with your favorite movie. It's almost a shame installing the motherboard inside enclosures that don't have any windows. This cool looking board would be hid and no one would really know unless they opened it up. None the less, this is just two of the many top enclosures I would be happy to install the motherboard in which would really spruce up the entertainment center. If you're using enclosures of this caliber, you want a worthy system inside.

Moncaso 932P Platinum

Zalman HD-160XT

Conclusion:

The best things you will enjoy from using this motherboard in your own Home Theater PC are the inarguable stability, HDMI support, and 7.1 High Definition Audio. Configuring the system was nothing short of excellent. There are just so many more possibilities and improvements you can gain from a properly configured HTPC utilizing 7.1 channels of audio performance. If your place happens to be a little more compact and needs a more compact home theater system, then an HTPC is your best option. The speaker output and clarity will partially depend on your own speaker package. And smaller rooms used to watch your favorite movies don't need the 200 watt per channel amplification from typical stereo components. If you choose an at least capable, clean self powered speaker package, you'll appreciate how little a space the system takes up not to mention the decent sound reproduction.

Movie Ready

Lights Dimmed

This is probably the simplest HTPC design to date offering a PCI-Express slot for more avid users. The 800MHz DDR2 and 8GB total memory support will help insure you have room to grow. Standard ATA users have limited support with only one slot, where as SATA users have the option of four devices. If the onboard 7.1 HD Audio just isn't enough for your own ears, there is a single PCI and PCI-X slot offering up the possibility of more audio card upgrades. The motherboard's SPDIF optical out will offer up the best quality use, but then your own perspective will ultimately decide what's best.

Being that the Abit F-190HD Fatality Motherboard is anything but typical in appearance and performance, I have to say it's very refreshing to see another great HTPC choice from Abit. The board looks great and performs comparable to the budget oriented NVidia 650-SLI motherboards. To be honest, there was a low expectation of the RX 1250 Express chipset, so it's quite nice to see much better than expected performance. There are plenty of HTPC micro-ATX motherboard choices around, but very few offer up improved performance features like the Avivo, Advanced Imaging and Video. The improved clarity and audio give it something greater to offer. If you are in search of something along these lines of features, don't hesitate to look for this motherboard. Now, if you don't mind, I have to finish watching Talladega Nights!

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