micro atx board recommendation

[scruffypup]

I am very unfamiliar with the microatx boards as my builds are of a different nature, but I am doing an inexpensive build for someone, reusing many things to keep costs down.

I will be using an e5200, 2gb DDR-2 800 ram, will need to have minimum of 1 IDE port, and 1 sata port (that is probably most boards anyways)

Onboard graphics should be decent, but top of the line not a must.
Overclocking and BIOS features are a plus, but overclocking is not main thing here, most likely running default everything.

Stablity and Reliability are utmost.
I am looking price wise $40-$70 range.

Suggestions?

 

[Zap]

Gigabyte has a few G31 chipset boards that has what you are looking for.

 

[scruffypup]

I have looked at some ASUS and Gigabyte boards at newegg,... and I see a few around $50, but I am confused on the onboard graphics,..

I guess that happens in an area not used to, and little time to research. What does a G31 compare to on stand alone cards approximately? What would be the next step up in onboard graphics?

 

[drealiT]

The G31's GMA 3100 will be able to handle vista's aero interface etc. etc. if you're expecting wild and crazy gaming performance... look elsewhere. The onboard graphics are sufficient for a basic desktop build and nothing more. Onboard GPU's are getting better but they are far from being able to be used for gaming etc. (the AMD/ATI based 780G's are definitely on their way though... smooth HD/Bluray playback with minimal gaming ability). If you want a nice stable board go with the GA-EG31-S2 from Gigabyte... great multi-function board that also has room for expansion (PCI-E x16 slot included). I was able to overclock my brother's a little bit also (E6300 up to 2.5ghz).

If you really wanted to get bang for the buck... I would have gone the AMD/ATI route. There's no denying they've cornered the budget section of the market and are DOMINATING the HTPC areas. Consider selling off that E5200 and rebuilding with a 780G as your base chipset and work from there. $200-250 total (you already have some of the parts) for a really really nice build capable of a lot of things.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: scruffypup
but I am confused on the onboard graphics,.. What does a G31 compare to on stand alone cards approximately?

Uh, about an FX 5200?

Let me ask you this. Will it be used for gaming? If so, spend $50-100 on a video card. For around $100 you can just about get a 9800 GT, and for sure a 9600 GT. Both these are untouchable by any onboard graphics.

The absolute best onboard graphics for an Intel platform currently is the NVIDIA Geforce 9300 chipset such as this $120 Asus board. However, you can do better by getting the cheaper board and spending the extra $65 on a video card. For instance, you can easily get a 9500 GT for around that price difference which will totally spank the 9300 onboard video.

Anything cheaper would be the Geforce 7000 series, which has lesser 3D performance than the 9300 but better than the G31. However, you lose out on dual channel memory (for the 1-5% performance difference).

If it won't be used for gaming, then don't sweat it.

 

[RaiderJ]

How about recommendations for a higher end mATX board? The DFI board at Newegg looks good, although I'm not really convinced I'll ever actually go the SLI route. However, I would like to have support for quad displays. It's a P45 northbridge. Is that a good chipset?

 

[scruffypup]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: scruffypup
but I am confused on the onboard graphics,.. What does a G31 compare to on stand alone cards approximately?

Uh, about an FX 5200?

Let me ask you this. Will it be used for gaming? If so, spend $50-100 on a video card. For around $100 you can just about get a 9800 GT, and for sure a 9600 GT. Both these are untouchable by any onboard graphics.

The absolute best onboard graphics for an Intel platform currently is the NVIDIA Geforce 9300 chipset such as this $120 Asus board. However, you can do better by getting the cheaper board and spending the extra $65 on a video card. For instance, you can easily get a 9500 GT for around that price difference which will totally spank the 9300 onboard video.

Anything cheaper would be the Geforce 7000 series, which has lesser 3D performance than the 9300 but better than the G31. However, you lose out on dual channel memory (for the 1-5% performance difference).

If it won't be used for gaming, then don't sweat it.

Thanks Zap,...

This is actually for a family member who has a flaky motherboard, random reboots. I narrowed it down to motherboard or cpu,... but most likely motherboard. She uses this machine mainly for web surfing and email, occassional video playback of various types, but nothing serious, no games, no blue ray.

I have some older graphics cards if a bit more power is needed there, not sure what is hanging around the closet, so as long as I know approximately what a G31 board brings to the table,....

I think she will be fine with the G31,...

I think I am sold on the Gigabyte GA-EG31M-S2 that drealiT mentioned,... $61.96 shipped from newegg,... now off to decide about ram

You guys all helped a bunch!!!

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: scruffypup
now off to decide about ram

For RAM, just go with the cheapest DDR2-800 2GB kit you can find.

 

[Ksyder]

I just today built a ECS g31t-m and celeron e1200 build for my grandpa. Compared to the p3 600 he replaced this is a great setup

He just sells stuff on eBay so doesn't need much. I was impressed with the speed and stability of this system on XP for less than $100 for mb/cpu.

I was reading some benchmarks and that cpu seems to equate to somewhere around an X2 4000+ from what I gathered. Not bad for a $45 celeron.

 

[faxon]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: scruffypup
now off to decide about ram

For RAM, just go with the cheapest DDR2-800 2GB kit you can find.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227198 $11 after MIR for a 2gb kit. idk how well it will work with your board choice (check manufacturer recommendations first) but its going to be a tough fight to find a better deal probably

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
How about recommendations for a higher end mATX board? The DFI board at Newegg looks good, although I'm not really convinced I'll ever actually go the SLI route. However, I would like to have support for quad displays. It's a P45 northbridge. Is that a good chipset?

Maybe consider the P5E-VM HDMI. It was the top OCing mobo before the DFI launched. Its an excellent mobo and cheaper but check to see if it has the features you want. Also be aware there are some new mATX mobos coming out this month along with the new Intel chips. mATX enthusiasts are expecting some good things from them so if you can wait I'd suggest to see what we have come the end of the month.