Micro ATX - Is this a decent board?

[qpwoeir]

I've been interested in purchasing a replacement motherboard and case after my current motherboard died according to this thread.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=2018606&enterthread=y

I just did a quick search on newegg and got this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131069.

I'm not sure what Micro ATX means, but it just seems like a normal mobo (but smaller and cheaper). I do not plan to upgrade this computer, so do you all think this will work fine?

Parts:
AMD 3200+ Venice
2 x 1GB Corsair Valueselect
ATI X800
250 GB HDD


Thanks.

 

[o1die]

Micro atx boards normally have fewer pci slots, fewer memory slots, and onboard video, which generally means a slower chipset. They are used for budget builds. They work fine for non gamers. For gaming, a separate video card is a must.

 

[will889]

Slap your venice on a Biostar socket 939 mATX board (if your venice is the 939 model and not the socket 754 model) and you won't lose a bit of speed, as as long as your X800 is PCIe you'll be set.

If it's a socket 754 model there's a Biostar T-Force 754 board at newegg that's very good.

 

[qpwoeir]

Originally posted by: will889
Slap your venice on a Biostar socket 939 mATX board (if your venice is the 939 model and not the socket 754 model) and you won't lose a bit of speed, as as long as your X800 is PCIe you'll be set.

If it's a socket 754 model there's a Biostar T-Force 754 board at newegg that's very good.

Okay - thanks! I don't think there's any advantage to think about future upgrades for this computer (since prices will be even cheaper in a year - when I plan to make a new desktop), so this reassurance that everything will work just find is just what I needed! Furthermore, integrated video is always useful is you ever need to test anything.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: o1die
Micro atx boards... generally means a slower chipset... They work fine for non gamers. For gaming, a separate video card is a must.

I would tend to agree with your last statement. The "work fine for non gamers" I'll assume has to do with the integrated graphics? Because mATX boards work just fine for gaming. Most these days have PCI-E slots so just toss whatever card/drivers in there and start gaming.

"generally means a slower chipset..." WTF does that mean? If you are talking about comparing integrated video to discrete video, okay. If you're talking about pure chipset performance, that's a bunch of FUD-spreading. Anandtech has an upcoming article that will hopefully put this to rest, one way or another.