Micro ATX boards w/audio, video, LAN

[Rapamatic]

I am assembling a basic computer for a friend, with a price target of under $700 (including monitor).

I saw a MSI micro-ATX MOB on newegg for $57, with onboard audio, video and LAN. Going this route would certainly save money, but I am concerned since the price is so low that I am getting him something that will break in a week or something like that. He is just a light computer user (internet, AIM, MS office), so I don't think he will see any performance/quality hits from integrated A/V. I am most concerned with stability and reliability.

Thanks for your help

 

[larciel]

huh?

ecs sis730 board?

MSI KM133A board..

 

[Rapamatic]

Somebody must know something about these MOB!!

 

[eplebnista]

Hello,

I have built a system with that Chipset-KM133A(Biostar Motherboard) and it performs terribly, even for just standard surfing, etc. It's very much bottlenecked due to the integrated video. You would probably be a lot better off spending a little more(~$60) and getting a regular video card. If not, then the ECS sis730 would be better as it has an AGP slot for upgrading later. There are two version of the sis730 chipset(one with AGP support and one with out).

eplebnista