AMD APU Build Help

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thehiddenlotus

thehiddenlotus

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Feb 6, 2013
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Alright guys so here is what I got for my grandparents APU PC build...

I'm definitely going to go with the AMD A6 APU for $50 at MicroCenter, :D can't beat that deal and I'm sure it will suffice their needs.

Either Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX, they want it small. Leaning toward mITX.

4GB RAM

As for storage, they have hardly used 30GBs of the 300GB hard drive on their 8 year old PC.

Windows 7, need to purchase still.

As for the case, the only one that I have liked so far is the Antec ISK 300-150 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case 150W Power Supply suggested by JD88
and I like the look of the BitFenix Prodigy though it's rather large for a mITX case but it can fit a full size PSU.

Also they would like a SD card reader I know I can just get a usb one but it would be cool to have one built in.

In conclusion I would like to present them with a few options (mostly aesthetically different) to choose from but all having the same primary components. (CPU, RAM) Would like to keep it under $500 USD with a copy of windows 7.

Any help would be appreciated,

Luke



Original Post
"I'm building a new system for my grandparents. It will just be used for primary PC usage like web surfing, email, youtube. I mean it's for my grandparents, they're not going to be gaming. :lol:

For this reason I was looking at AMD's A6 APU since it is only $50 at Microcenter. The A10 is $100, is it worth the upgrade for them? I don't know much about APUs or mITX builds, this will be my first.

I want to keep it small and get them one of the cool mITX/mATX cases that are so small. Any suggestions?

I planning on using the CX430 and probably 8GB of RAM, would 4GB be enough?

Need help with the rest of the build, I'm totally lost on which motherboard to pick, any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Trying to keep the price low without sacrificing quality but there needs are very basic."

Thanks in advance.

Luke
 
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batuchka

batuchka

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For a non gaming rig? That A6 at that price is a home run ^^ If you gaming on Trinity the higher end chip with a good OC is a great shout but based on the task/s rig has to fulfill the A6 is all u need ^^ This was my lost cos mATX slim sub $300 config
Untitled-1236_zps1417d766.jpg
 
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thehiddenlotus

thehiddenlotus

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batuchka,

Does that Mobo have USB 3.0? what about the case?
Also is 4GB RAM enough you think?

Edit: On second thought I don't think the USB 3.0 is really necessary. Just wondering if 4GB is enough.
 
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JD88

JD88

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The A6 is an outstanding APU for this purpose and I did a build very similar to this one just a couple months ago.



4GB will be plenty.

I used this case and strongly recommend it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129080

Also, what OS are you planning to use?


EDIT: I used this mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157357
 
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thehiddenlotus

thehiddenlotus

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Do you guys think I should go with a Micro-ATX or a Mini-ITX? Is there really any difference besides the size? There are a lot less choices on the mITX side and they seem to be more expensive.
 
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JD88

JD88

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The biggest problem with going small form factor like this (mITX or mATX) is the small no name brand cases come with their own questionable power supplies. As a rule, I never recommend buying a case that comes with a power supply already installed because they are usually junk. In the case of these builds you really don't have a choice on that though as most all come with one. This is why I used and suggested an Antec case to you because I know Antec branded power supplies are usually solid and rated correctly.

Also, for some reason there aren't many socket FM2 mITX boards and those that do exist are $80-100, so that alone would be a reason for going mATX instead. There is no real difference in terms of function or performance between the two, only size.

In short, you pay for small form factor and performance.
 
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thehiddenlotus

thehiddenlotus

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I was worried while looking at the choices I had in cases and how a lot of them needed specialized PSUs that were included and I assumed they would all be trash. I like the look of the case you suggested but 150w seems insanely small, Would that be enough? Is there room for a optical drive in that case? Plus there is a premium when going mITX, I don't know if it will be worth it over mATX...
 
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JD88

JD88

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Yeah I agree about the premium. I don't think it's worth it TBH. If you were going to go mITX I would use that case or something like the Coolermaster Elite 120 because it can fit a full size psu. I'm not sure what mATX case to suggest. I guess one that would fit a full size psu, but then you are getting down to about normal desktop mid tower size.
 
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JD88

JD88

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Alright, read the main post. Here's what I think. The Antec case does not have bay for a card reader so this case might be a better option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133093

I was looking at this one in Microcenter today and it's actually really nice and at least Thermaltake is a brand that we've heard of in terms of PSU. Also, it's a standard SFX size so it can be replaced if it goes out down the road.


with this card reader:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162030

This one is nice because it has integrated USB 3.0 which the case does not have on the front, plus its one of the only ones with decent reviews.

Also, I would skip the HDD entirely and just go with a 120 GB SSD since they haven't used much space. It will be much faster and more reliable.

Also, I would suggest Windows 8. It really is not bad at all and has some better features.

Full build (cheaper at Microcenter):

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PrQ9
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PrQ9/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PrQ9/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X-ITX Mini ITX FM2 Motherboard ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Thermaltake VL52021N2U Mini ITX Desktop Case w/200W Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Koutech IO-RCM630 Multi-in-1 USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Front Panel Internal Card Reader with USB 3.0 Port (3.5") ($32.99)
Total: $491.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 01:49 EDT-0400)
 
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thehiddenlotus

thehiddenlotus

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@JD88

Thanks for the reply!

I'm liking that case as well, especially that it can house an optical drive and card reader.

But I will have to look around to see if there is a 3.5in card reader thats a little cheaper, maybe without the USB 3.0, but I would like some 2.0.

I was also considering a SSD but do you think 120GB will be enough if its also a system drive?

Also I'm going with Win7 because I have heard that 8 has a lot of UI changes like no start menu. They know how to use WinXP so I don't think 7 will be much of a jump/learning curve for them.
 
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JD88

JD88

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Cheap card reader:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820192021

If they have only used 30GB, 120 GB should be plenty. The system will take no more than 30GB so that leaves 90 GB for them. Unless they have many thousands of photos or lots of video footage that should be plenty.
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

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It's not as issue.

A single stick will not provide dual-channel, but that in itself will only ding **performance** 5% or so.


Edit: If they are going to "Game," faster speeds will drive higher performance on the APU.




 
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