HTPC face-off: VIA EPIA EX vs. AMD 690G

MSI K9AGM2

Rear I/O

In comparison to the EPIA EX, the MSI offers a more traditional range of ports with PS2, four USB ports, one 6-pin Firewire port, one RJ45 Ethernet socket and six 3.5mm audio jacks providing the eight channels of audio as well as dedicated line in and microphone sockets.

No S/PDIF outputs are included on-board as it is specifically included in the HDMI port that sits next to the VGA output on the back. MSI still insists on putting a parallel port in there where component output would have been a far superior inclusion instead.

Sure, there are no coaxial audio outputs or a breakout cable included in the box either, so the board is more tailored to a HDTV rather than your classic tube TV. But surely all that's necessary for those people interested in this kind of gadgetry; a class of TV watchers willing to invest in time making something cutting edge will just use HDMI.

MSI's HDCP compliant HDMI port is only version 1.2 instead of the newer (and better) version 1.3 but there is a reason for this. Windows doesn't support higher than a 24-bit RGB bit-rate - the 32-bit colour selectable under Windows display properties includes an alpha channel.

BIOS

Again we see no frequency and voltage adjustments and we even have fewer memory timings to fiddle with. The display options are far simpler to understand, but the board does only have VGA and HDMI outputs. AMD's Cool 'n' Quiet along with the Smart Fan will help reduce noise and heat output. In all the option set is a little more basic then the EPIA, but it's easier to use and those familiar with MSI BIOSes will certainly still feel at home.