Motherboard for low end machine

[pacoweaz]

I'm looking to build a lower end machine to be mainly used for downloading, storage and burning. I may also use it for some older games.
I already have all the "accessories" for it. I'm just not sure what to get for motherboard, CPU, and RAM. I'm on a small budget for this.

I'm currently running an old PII 400. But the board died on me.
Any suggestions on at least a board to start with?

 

[mstng9961]

If your not looking to spend that much I would look into the 865 chipset mobos.

You can get the Abit IS-7 or the MSI Neo 2 for about $100.

 

[rcj187]

ok you are obviously looking for cheap and cheerful without any unnecesary bells and whistles attached. i suggest a pc chips M810L v71C. this has integrated video audio and lan. it also has up to an embedded 1.4(yes 1.4 thats not a typo) duron. ive used them before in cheap systems and they are very cheap, reliable and surprisingly responsive. get some cheap sdram a big harddrive and a modem and your ready to go
they cost about £50 (dont know $ price) for mobo and cpu. £25 for 256mb sdram. u say you have all the peripherals so for £75 your sorted. thats about $125 i think but tech stuff is usually much cheaper in america so you should be able to get a better price
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by rcj187 on 06/19/03 07:22 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[pacoweaz]

I've used the PC Chips boards in other machines I've built and they seem to be pretty good. That was the direction I was leaning. I don't need any bells or whistles. Just something stable that I can throw at least 512mb RAM, 120GB Hard Drive, and a CD-RW

 

[phsstpok]

You can get an nforce2 mobo with integrated graphics and sound (but only 2.1) and ethernet for as little as $89 USD. With 6.1 sound the prices start a bit higher at about $114. Combine the mobo with a Tbred XP1700+ (~$44), some inexpensive PC2700 memory, either 256MB (~$33) or 512MB DDR (~$60), a large HD, CDRW and you are ready to go for your application.

Personally I'd get nForce 2 mobo without IGP (SPP instead) with MCP-T (great 6.1 sound), 256MB x 2 DDR, and an AGP video card (maybe you already have one). (The Epox 8RDA+ mobo is only ~$84). Costs more but the PC could double as low to mid-high level gaming machine depending on what video card you get.


<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[pacoweaz]

I've actually already have an Athlon XP 1600+ system. I'll be upgrading this one eventually to something a little higher end. (Nforce 2, XP 2400+ or higher, etc.) This one I just need something basic and cheap. I hope to build a nice big fast one this winter.

I do already have an AGP Graphics card, so I don't need a board with built in graphics. Sound isn't a big deal either for me on this machine.

 

[shadus]

The MSI K7N2GL is a nice board for $99... upgradeable, stable, and has onboard audio, graphics, and lan. When trying to build a 'good quality' pc for under 300$ it's what I came up with as best value for quality. For an intel solution the ASUS P4P800-VM is a nice board, about $105, same basic feature set also.

Shadus

 

[Crashman]

I have a couple good boards you can use with that PII 400.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

 

[phsstpok]

$85 for the 8RDA+ and $44 for XP1700+ is still pretty cheap. (Not in your plan but it's a good combo to overclock. Usually good for XP2600+ speeds or better).

Want to save a few more bucks? Get an nForce2 (SPP + MCP) mobo for about $69. (nForce1 might save you another $5). Seems silly not to get a XP1700+ but you could get a Duron for about $30. That'll save you another $14. Big performance hit but it'll still burn CDs.

<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[rcj187]

ok people stop trying to persuade this guy that he needs a nforce2 board... there ARE other boards out there you know! as he only wants/needs extreme low end for this pc nforce2 is overkill and too expensive. for the cost of the cheapest nforce 2 he can have mobo cpu AND ram with a few £ left to go towards the hdd. i know nforce2 is the best available but in this case its unnecesary.

 

[phsstpok]

ok people stop trying to persuade this guy that he needs a nforce2 board... there ARE other boards out there you know! as he only wants/needs extreme low end for this pc nforce2 is overkill and too expensive. for the cost of the cheapest nforce 2 he can have mobo cpu AND ram with a few £ left to go towards the hdd. i know nforce2 is the best available but in this case its unnecesary.

Are you so shortsighted?

Pacoweaz already admitted an nForce2 and ~XP2400+ is in his future. Why not buy the mobo now and rotate it with his XP1600+ system? buy an XP1700+ processor if he wants to stay inexpensive. Later, he can upgrade the processor (or overclock the Tbred XP1700+). All that is wasted (at most)is the old Palomino XP1600+

Your way he wastes money on a cheap motherboard with limited upgrade capability and buys some expensive SDRAM (costs more than DDR).

When Pacoweaz upgrades again he'll still have to buy a motherboard, a CPU, and DDR.

My way at most he has to replace is a CPU. Pays a little more up front. Saves a lot more in the long run plus ends up with better hardware for both systems.

Why go backward when you can go forward?





<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by phsstpok on 06/20/03 10:51 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[phsstpok]

By the way, the PCChips M810 mobo w/ imbedded Duron 1.4 costs $85 here in the USA. We can get nForce2 mobos (Chaintech) for $69 (shipping included) and the Epox 8RDA+ only cost $85.

Don't knows costs at Pacoweaz's location.


<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[rcj187]

wow im surprised at that! most tech stuff is much cheaper in usa than uk!

 

[Civilized]

I recommend the Epox 8RGA+ motherboard, which has the nvidia soundstorm audio and integrated geforce 4 mx graphics, and lan....it is a great mobo and the graphics are suprising fast....Pair this up with an Amd XP1700+ processor and a 256mb stick of pc2700 and you have a new very well performing computer for around 200 dollars. You cant beat that

<A HREF="http://dnadesignz.kicks-ass.net" target="_new"><b><font color=green>MY SYSTEM</b></font color=green></A>

 

[RivetHead]

For your puposes you may consider an ECS K7SOM or K7SEM. Most retail for about $120 CAD (90 USD) and usually includes a Duron processor. (1.3 - 1.6 ghz range)
Has two PCI, one 4x AGP, one AMR, SIS chipset, and takes DDR RAM... I think the SEM model will take your SDRAM. This would be one of the more reliable, cost effective solutions for your situation. As long as you are not running Windows 98 or ME their should be no problem with the SIS chipset. If you are, you may have USB problems, in which case just use the microsoft standard USB host controllers and you will be fine. Its all you need... Whats the point in spending 100 bucks for an nForce2 board than another 100 bucks for a processor and another 50-100 bucks for more RAM?

 

[tombance]

Hey fellow Brit, the Epox 8RDA+ is only £60 now, I think i might be buying one of those to replace my MSI 745 Ultra soon

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=5467618 " target="_new">Almost Breaking 12k!!</A>

 

[Civilized]

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Civilized on 06/24/03 08:45 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[piasabird]

Might want to try ASROCKS which is actually a rebranded cheap Ausus motherobard or one of the Ausus -X line of motherboards which are cheaper. The advantage with these is they run off of DDR or PC100. The problem is they typically only run up to PC2100 DDR so there is a limiting factor. In the long run it is probably better to just wait and buy the A7N8X or the A7N8X Deluxe which I just purchased and am very happy with. I also have a VIA Mini-ITX motherboard Which I really like, because it is really simple and all the integrated stuff works. The sound was just a little cheesey. It gives me no trouble on the ethernet port or sending E-mail, or browsing the Internet. I had no problem loading Win98 SE.

when you see smoke is that a good sign?

 

[rcj187]

thats cool but you can go to a computer fair and get a pc chips mobo with onboard duron for £45. to me thats a far better deal for what the original poster asked for. add yor £60 to £40 for a xp1700 and you already paid out over double that. admittadly you dont have an upgrade path but by the sounds of it he didnt want to upgrade it anyway and was going to upgrade his main computer instead later this year.

 

[Noxious26]

I know several people that use the ECS K7S5A PRO mobo (available at NCIX.com for $68 CAD) and highly recommend them for a low end system. You can combine that with an AMD Athon 1800 Thoroughbred ($87 CAD) or if on a very tight budget AMD Duron 1.1ghz ($51 CAD). This mobo allows you to use either DDR or SDRAM. PC2100 256MB DDR ($76 CAD) or PC133 256MB SDRAM ($55 CAD) would probably work well.

All in all you can get an alright system that will still perform reasonably well for $231 CAD (mobo + Athlon + DDR). Or you could settle for a system that is outdated, but might suit your purposes for $174 CAD (mobo + Duron + SDRAM).

Hope this helps.