Matx - AMD or Intel?

[VirtualLarry]

After seeing a hot deal on a slimline Matx desktop case (link), now I'm thinking of building a system for my mom based on it. I already have this mobo, and was thinking of adding a C2D CPU, either this or possibly this. (Why oh why doesn't Intel have a C2D 2.0Ghz 1MB L2 cache part out on the market yet? It's missing from their lineup at present.)

I've not really been watching the matx scene, but I was wondering if I might get more bang-for-buck, and a better/more well-balanced system (better integrated video) if I went the AMD route, with a cheap S939 3000+ or so, or even an X2 3600+ AM2 chip and board. AM2 would mean DDR2 instead of DDR memory, which would be cheaper.

The mobo that I have (above) doesn't allow OC'ing, and using the onboard video at the same time, which means that I would be stuck at 800Mhz FSB on a C2D. It would seem my OC ability with an AM2 rig would be much more likely.

Edit: I don't know how it overclocks, but I found an ECS 6100 + AM2 3600+ combo for $94 here. Still, that's slower than an E2160, but cheaper. Dunno how it overclocks.

Here is a S939 6100 matx + A64 3400+ combo deal for $80. But that would take regular DDR. I've been noticing a lack of GigE on most of these matx boards too. Are there some cheap boards that do have GigE? Is the 6100 an older chipset than the NF4 or something?

 

[PClark99]

probably for less than demanding tasks the difference in onboard video from AMD to Intel will be minimal.


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/....jsp?ProductCode=80865 $114.50

vs

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...sp?ProductCode=80718-7 $67


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005131 $105

vs

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=240516 $66


For a basic low stress machine probably AMD is a better more cost effective way to go.
$87 difference, thats enough for a decent cheap 2GB set of RAM.

 

[Uppsala9496]

I built a cheap, but very stable rig based on the AM2.
4200+ X2 (only $89)
Asus M2A-VM (only $69)
2 gb DDR2 667 Dirt cheap at $67!!

The integrated video works fine for my needs (no gaming), and I haven't had any issues with the machine (been rock solid for some 9 weeks now).
For $225 you have a pretty decent system.

 

[tungtung]

Thought this might be of interest, Toms just published an article comparing the budget offerings from AMD and Intel

http://www.tomshardware.com/20...mart_strike/index.html

I haven't read the entire article but the summary pretty much says that if you just want cheap and low power (both literally in term of electricity, and computing power), AMD is the way to go for the time being.

 

[Zap]

I'd say that if you already have the motherboard, just use it. What is your mother going to be using the computer for? Does she need to overclock? Besides, that case only has a 200W proprietary PSU, so you don't want to stress it too much.

If your mother's computer usage pattern is anything like mine (web browsing and emailing, absolutely nothing else) then just about anything would work. An overclocked Core 2 Duo would NOT improve her emailing and web browsing experience. Just get one of those Pentium E chips or even those Core based Celerons and be happy. If you REALLY have to overclock, just BSEL pin mod it (if the BIOS will allow). That will instantly boost the FSB to 266MHz from 200MHz, so that Pentium E2160 would run at 2.4GHz instead of 1.8GHz, or that Celeron you linked to would run at 2.66GHz.

 

[renethx]

The combination

• AMD Athlon X2 3600+ 1.9GHz, Brisbane, $66
• Corsair Value Select DDR2-667 2GB kit VS2GBKIT667D2, $65
• BIOSTAR TForce7025-M2, $70

is one of the best. That allows you to overclock to 2.9GHz with slight CPU/NB voltage bump. The motherboard has the latest NVIDIA chipset, DVI out, PCIe Gb LAN and HD audio.

 

[jalaram]

Does that case take low profile cards?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, that case takes low-profile cards. I've decided that for the "mom rig", I'm going to keep the mobo I have and drop in a C2D celly 440 chip (2.0Ghz). I've got two of those cases on order, though, so I'm still thinking about the AMD route for a matx rig for me. Thanks for all of the info.

On that BIOSTAR TForce7025-M2 board, is the integrated video on that, superior to the 6150-based boards? I noticed it has DVI out too, but no serial and no parallel ports. :| Likewise, how does the onboard ATI 690G video compare?

NewEgg review of that AMD 690G board mentioned - "NO PCIE LOCK (I knew that before I bought it, but just for those who are curious).". That sounds like bad news for overclocking.

 

[Zap]

The 7025 is a warmed over 6100 while the 7050 is a warmed over 6150. IIRC the 690G has the best graphics overall by a tiny hair, but otherwise they're kind of similar. The Geforce chipsets can overclock better (depending on mobo of course).

 

[VirtualLarry]

So would it be better to get a 6150 over a 7025 then?