Need advice for MB and CPU

[jonkclark]

My friend has enlisted my help in building a new system for him on a very tight budget. He will primarily be using this system to edit audio and video. He already has a Case, MX440 8x AGP card for video, 2 HDDs and CD Writer. He needs a MB and Proc and Memory. I am reccomending to him AMD because of the Value for the money. He has about $300 to spend...

 

[DragonDoc]

My friend has enlisted my help in building a new system for him on a very tight budget. He will primarily be using this system to edit audio and video. He already has a Case, MX440 8x AGP card for video, 2 HDDs and CD Writer. He needs a MB and Proc and Memory. I am reccomending to him AMD because of the Value for the money. He has about $300 to spend...

There are many configurations that may work but here is what I reccommend since the budget is $300

Motherboard: MSI, RS482M4-ILD (Around $80 or so)
- Micro-ATX Motherboard
- Supports any AMD Socket 939 processor including FX and X2 CPUs
- Supports up to 4GB DDR Memory (DDR-400 Recommended)
- Support up to 2 Monitors with built-in (onboad) video (1xVGA, 1XDVI). You can share memory up to 256MB. This share takes away from the amount of memory you install. The MX440 Video card is not what I would call a power house. This onboard video is actually pretty good. It uses the ATI Radeon 2000 Express chipset.
- Supports up to 8 USB 2..0 (4 rear, 4 pin header onboard)
- Support 2 Firewire (1-rear, 1 pin header onboard)
- Support up to 4 IDE devices
- Support up to 4 SATA Devices
- Onboard 10/100 Network Adapter
- Onboard Sound Card (Not bad at all - but not a Sound Blaster Audigy for sure)

Processor: Because of the budget I would recommend an AMD Athlon64 3000+ for around $145 (mwave.com).

Memory: Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 Memory Module (About $40) or get a 1GB kit KVR400X64C3AK2/1G (Kit of 2 matched 512MB Modules) for about $80 (Zipzoomfly.com).

I would recommend getting the 1GB of Memory and share your video memory to 256MB. That leaves him with about 768mb remaining for the system. I know this board very well, it's stable, it's packed with features. And oh by the way if he does not want to use the onboard Video he can diable and Install any PCIe video card (It has one open PCIe 16 Slot).

Estimated Cost:
Motherboard: $80
CPU: $145
1GB of Memory: $80
Total not including S&H or Taxes: $305

This board gives him an upgrade path with the CPU and Video cards. I use this board with an AMD X2 4400+ and it is awsome.

 

[mdd1963]

In light of being determined to use an old AGP video card, you might be able to find an NF3 board with an AGP slot ($75), and an A64/3200+ ($160), and 1GB of DDR PC3200 memory..($100)...; if he is willing to spend close to all $500, then up the processor to a 3500+ for about $210...

(You will need at least a 300-350 watt ATX12v spec power supply for this project, as not all older ATX PSUs have the necessary "aux cpu" connector

One alternative may be one of the Asrock socket 939 boards, which feature both an AGP slot and a PCI-e slot, which will allow upgrading to a much better video card (potentially an All in Wonder PCI-e version) later...

 

[DragonDoc]

(You will need at least a 300-350 watt ATX12v spec power supply for this project, as not all older ATX PSUs have the necessary "aux cpu" connector

I agree with mdd1963 , the board I recommended requires 24 pin power supply connector.

Also I stated the motherboard had a open PCIe slot. I know he has the AGP card. But he could use the onboard as stated (1gb memory - share video to 256mb) until he can afford a better PCIe card later.

As I stated before there will be many ways you can get this done for around $300. As long as you have a decent power supply.

 

[The_nVIDiA_Guy]

I recomend a Asus A8N-SLI, $118, AMD Athlon 64 3000+,$152, and a EVGA GeForce 6600 256MB. "vanilla, $100, $369.00

 

[yourbestfriend]

intel look into it, i saw some price drops and they do video very well.

 

[jonkclark]

Motherboard: MSI, RS482M4-ILD (Around $80 or so)
- Micro-ATX Motherboard

Are there any Non Micro boards? He has a tower case and while I am sure that the micro will fit I prefer non micro boards...

Thanks

 

[jonkclark]

I recomend a Asus A8N-SLI, $118, AMD Athlon 64 3000+,$152, and a EVGA GeForce 6600 256MB. "vanilla, $100, $369.00

Well I do like Asus boards, but I don't believe that it supports AGP... He is not looking to buy parts that he does not need... He does not need a great card for editing video, that is more processor intensive...

 

[jonkclark]

What is the difference between the 2 3000+ and 2 3200+ on this comparison?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16819103537,N82E16819103568,N82E16819103535,N82E16819103572&SubCategory=343

 

[DragonDoc]

Motherboard: MSI, RS482M4-ILD (Around $80 or so)
- Micro-ATX Motherboard

Are there any Non Micro boards? He has a tower case and while I am sure that the micro will fit I prefer non micro boards...

Thanks

The MSI RS482M4-ILD is a Micro-ATX motherbord. I provided the features on my original post. This board is packed with features and provides him an upgrade path (well as long as the socket 939 CPUs are available). Now I know most people do not like Micro-ATX boards but MSI and all the other manufactures have put alot more quality and features in them.

In fact we have two of these boards (with AMD Athlon64 X2 4400+ CPUs) in small cube cases built for a graphic design and web publishing company. They are using the onboard video with two monitors and they love it. This board is very stable and again more bang for your money with all the features. :lol:

The onboard video can be disabled and it has a PCIe 16 slot for any PCIe Video Card. In fact if you need to have 4 monitors on it at the same time you can do that also by adding selected ATI PCIe graphics cards (2 monitors using onboard and 2 monitors from the PCIe card) . Now most people do not need that - but its there if you need it.

Here is a link with the specs
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=RS482M4-ILD&class=mb

Again, there are many ways for him to get there - His budget is only $300.

 

[jonkclark]

My friend has enlisted my help in building a new system for him on a very tight budget. He will primarily be using this system to edit audio and video. He already has a Case, MX440 8x AGP card for video, 2 HDDs and CD Writer. He needs a MB and Proc and Memory. I am reccomending to him AMD because of the Value for the money. He has about $300 to spend...

There are many configurations that may work but here is what I reccommend since the budget is $300

Motherboard: MSI, RS482M4-ILD (Around $80 or so)
- Micro-ATX Motherboard
- Supports any AMD Socket 939 processor including FX and X2 CPUs
- Supports up to 4GB DDR Memory (DDR-400 Recommended)
- Support up to 2 Monitors with built-in (onboad) video (1xVGA, 1XDVI). You can share memory up to 256MB. This share takes away from the amount of memory you install. The MX440 Video card is not what I would call a power house. This onboard video is actually pretty good. It uses the ATI Radeon 2000 Express chipset.
- Supports up to 8 USB 2..0 (4 rear, 4 pin header onboard)
- Support 2 Firewire (1-rear, 1 pin header onboard)
- Support up to 4 IDE devices
- Support up to 4 SATA Devices
- Onboard 10/100 Network Adapter
- Onboard Sound Card (Not bad at all - but not a Sound Blaster Audigy for sure)

Processor: Because of the budget I would recommend an AMD Athlon64 3000+ for around $145 (mwave.com).

Memory: Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 Memory Module (About $40) or get a 1GB kit KVR400X64C3AK2/1G (Kit of 2 matched 512MB Modules) for about $80 (Zipzoomfly.com).

I would recommend getting the 1GB of Memory and share your video memory to 256MB. That leaves him with about 768mb remaining for the system. I know this board very well, it's stable, it's packed with features. And oh by the way if he does not want to use the onboard Video he can diable and Install any PCIe video card (It has one open PCIe 16 Slot).

Estimated Cost:
Motherboard: $80
CPU: $145
1GB of Memory: $80
Total not including S&H or Taxes: $305

This board gives him an upgrade path with the CPU and Video cards. I use this board with an AMD X2 4400+ and it is awsome.

I looked at the Pictures on Newegg and it looks like the board has an AGP slot... Am I mistaken?
Here is the link to the pictures...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Showimage.asp?Mode=&Type=&Image=13-130-520-02.jpg%2C13-130-520-01.jpg%2C13-130-520-03.jpg%2C13-130-520-04.jpg%2C13-130-520-05.jpg%2C13-130-520-06.jpg&CurImage=13-130-520-02.jpg&Description=MSI+RS482M4-ILD+Socket+939+ATI+Radeon+XPRESS+200+Micro+ATX+AMD+Motherboard+-+Retail

 

[thcst8]

What is the difference between the 2 3000+ and 2 3200+ on this comparison?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16819103537,N82E16819103568,N82E16819103535,N82E16819103572&SubCategory=343

You wanna know something funny? There is no difference. Once the chip is done being processed its tested and if it meets the 1.8ghz range its a 3000 if it meets 2.0 its 3200. The real difference is probably the purity of the silicon. VLSI class ftw

 

[DragonDoc]

I looked at the Pictures on Newegg and it looks like the board has an AGP slot... Am I mistaken?
Here is the link to the pictures...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Showimage.asp?Mode=&Type=&Image=13-130-520-02.jpg%2C13-130-520-01.jpg%2C13-130-520-03.jpg%2C13-130-520-04.jpg%2C13-130-520-05.jpg%2C13-130-520-06.jpg&CurImage=13-130-520-02.jpg&Description=MSI+RS482M4-ILD+Socket+939+ATI+Radeon+XPRESS+200+Micro+ATX+AMD+Motherboard+-+Retail

No - thats a PCIe X16 Slot. But you can see the two onboard video ports in that picture (1xVGA, 1xDVI)

By the way here are the details on the AMD Athlon64 CPUs
Model Number Frequency L2 Cache Packaging
4000+ 2.4GHz 1 MB 939-pin
3800+ 2.4GHz 512KB 939-pin
3700+ 2.4GHz 1MB 754-pin
3700+ 2.2GHz 1MB 939-pin
3500+ 2.2GHz 512KB 939-pin
3400+ 2.4GHz 512KB 754-pin
3200+ 2.0GHz 1MB 754-pin
:arrow: 3200+ 2.0GHz 512KB 939-pin
3000+ 2.0GHz 512KB 754-pin
:arrow: 3000+ 1.8GHz 512KB 939-pin

That motherboard will handle any of the 939-pin CPUs listed above along with all the AMD Athlon64 FX and AMD Athlon64 X2 (Dual Core) CPUs. :lol: