All-In-One Motherboards???

[BChico]

Hey guys, I need to build a really cheap computer, i am seeing these motherboards that have integrated video, sound, modem, and network, are these a good deal for a bottom of the line cheap computer? Any recomendations? How much should i pay for these?

 

[BChico]

bump...

 

[veryape]

It really depends on who your building it for. Obviously if its for your grandmother who doesn't need a GeForce or Soundblaster they are fine. It depends on what the system will be used for and also how far it will need to be upgraded in the future. They go for about $100.00 i believe but it varies i'm sure. Personally i'd stay away from them unless your an oem dealer or are really that straped for cash.

 

[BChico]

I have to build a computer for a school project and dont want to spend more money...if i can get one for 75 with video, sound, modem, and network should i get it?

 

[MGMorden]

If you don't plan on playing much games or doing heavy duty work then go for it. Just avoid the really cheap manufacturers. PCChips makes boards that are generally crap (I found that out the hard way). If it's from a more reputable company though then that's a great deal.

 

[Dave]

Check out the Abit WX6 ... onboard video and sound, slot 370 (not FC-PGA).

I used it with a Celeron 500 and found it to be a cheap, zippy system (with a 10.2GB, 7200 rpm WD hard drive.

Stay away from the all-in-one PC-Chips boards ... junk

 

[BChico]

When you say junk, what do you mean why is it junky??

 

[MGMorden]

PC Chips makes very low quality boards. The onboard sound is terrible. The onboard video is terrible. I've had them arrive with cache chips (Socket 7 boards) that couldn't even do advertised bus speeds. They aren't very stable, and all of them that I've used seem to make for a very slow running system. Trust me, you don't want a PC Chips board. As for Dave's recommendation, Abit does make great quality boards. I've also seen a very nice integrated board on Tyan's website. Socket 370, onboard video, sound, modem, and network card. Gotta love that.

 

[Hyper99]

I had the exact same problem
it work but is slow and quite often crashes
as for overclocking get worst crashes even more
I never learn until I bought it three times
sadly there was no one to tell me if it was that horrible
because I learned the hardway and the money and time wasted
just isn't worth it
want quality get a brand name board im sure it
is troublefree
spend a little more for quality that all I can say
im sure that you not that that poor...
which I ain't well I try to spend as less as possible
but if something give you too much hassle well then screw it

 

[memichael]

you don't what a all in one motherboard. Me got one 500mhz celeron
you will get bad performance
214 3d marks is good or bad

 

[Jhhnn]

Actually, these integrated boards are widely used in business systems. Setup and installation are easy, compatibility issues are nil, reliability is very good,video performance is adequate for most business use. As others have said, stay away from really cheap stuff,stick with a quality mfg. Intel makes the CA810 series, and similar systems are available from gigabyte, soyo, abit, asus, aopen, msi.Availability thru retail channels is limited, these are more of an oem item. Most are microatx intel 810 solutions, but there is a wide variety of options available (zx chipset,hardware sound,integrated voodoo graphics, lan, etc) 815 solutions will appear RSN, if they haven't already.

 

[Ulysses]

Take a look at AnandTech's monthly Buyer's Guides. Each month they have a High End Systems Guide and a Value Systems Guide outlining numerous different configurations for different purposes and budgets. Print them out and read them if you like - you'll learn a lot. Note that the Guides won't recommend components that are not yet quite on the market, although they may mention them. Here are the latest Guides that I?ve seen:

AndandTech Home:
http://www.anandtech.com/index.html

AnandTech Buyer?s Guide - Value Systems ? July, 2000:
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.html?i=1269

 

[Robor]

I recently put together an 810 chipset based motherboard. In it I used a P3/600E cB0 w/128MB SDRAM. It was very easy because the video and sound are onboard. No problems with the install of WinME. This board even has a BIOS where I could adjust the FSB speed. I thought great! I set it to 112 and booted at 672. It's rock stable at that speed. The downside? It's slow. The performance of it under SETI sucks. I'm talking barely faster than a Celeron 366@500. I know that's just one program but I have a feeling other programs will be the same. You get what you pay for...

Rob