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MB recommend for PC2-6400 mem and Micro ATX?

D

dogbone

Member
been wanting to build an HTPC

I've got 4GB of PC2-6400 memory sitting around doing nothing. thought if I could marry up a board to use this it would be great.

anyone have suggestions? Don't want to blow the bank, but don't want a crap-o system either.

thanks
 
I don't have a processor on hand, so I guess whatever will mate up with the memory I've got. All the machines I have now are Intel, but this one will just be an HTPC. Are either processors better at that than the other?
 
good article, both of their budget systems use the 6400 memory and the intel setup actually has an HDMI output rather than VGA. Although I've already got my VGA cables in place.
 
What is your overall budget for both motherboard and CPU? Will you be using onboard video?
 
I really haven't set a budget. I've been picking up components as I find deals on them. I bought a TV turner card, and a DVD burner a while back on a deal, and I've got this left over memory. Have been watching for a nice HTPC case, haven't jumped on that yet. I want something that's quiet, and the last system I built used a passively cooled vid card. Thought about that again on this one, but really the on-board might work just as well.

I had planned to use this as a time-shifting digital video recorder, but I've since bought a Phillips HDD/DVD recorder, so that's not a big deal now.

Doubt if there will be much gaming on it, if so would be nothing taxing. Mostly to access MP3 files. It will be hooked to my 42" lcd TV, via VGA, so whatever video would need to support that.
 
One option would be to just get a Core 2 Duo and a G33 chipset board with 4 RAM slots. Another option would be to go AMD with something like this:

AMD x2 5600+ 65w CPU
Biostar Tforce690G motherboard

The board has better integrated graphics than the G33. This CPU is a nice performer at stock speeds and is pretty cheap. There is an 89W and 65W version, so look for the lower wattage version.
 
Note that the AMD690 is not too friendly with Linux quite yet. The current Intel and nVidia chipsets will be a bit better for that, if you're going that route (Foxconn's 6150B AM2 board is a sweet value at Newegg right now, too). For XP or Vista, the GF 7xxx and AMD690 should both be fine.
 
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