Building HTPC: Need motherboard/processor info

Mathew Shelby · 04-01-2003, 04:59 PM

Basically, I want something inexpensive that will do the job. Right now, I have a 2.4ghz Dell Dimension which is super quiet and 1.4 AMD which is the noisiest thing next to my refrigerator. So I think I should stick with Pentium 4 1.8 ghz and over. Am I shooting too low in asking for under $200 for motherboard and processor? Also please provide links!

Gerald LaFrance · 04-01-2003, 08:57 PM

Have you checked out Pricewatch.com??
http://www.pricewatch.com/

thell give you alot of different venders ive bought a few things this way or you can try a reccomended site:
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/Home.jsp

Happy shopping!!

Tekara · 04-01-2003, 08:57 PM

your better off with AMD for a cheap solution. what your aiming for I would reccomend the MSI K7N2G-ILSR ( http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...82E16813130400 ) which has tons of bells and whistles including onboard graphics WITH a TV-out. . . while good I don't think it will be the best TV-out. Now then you can pick this mobo up for around 130$ and a athlon 1700+ for 50$ from newegg. for your noise problems, look for a good heatsink and a low rpm fan. my thoughts lean me towards the thermalright SK7 (25$) and a low rpm (cheap). this is better cooling and more quiet than the heatsink and fan that would come with the processor if you do get the boxed set.

the only thing I really reccomend with this setup is using two individual sticks of ram. This will enable dual channel DDR which is needed for the onboard video. the best route would be two sticks of 128MB pc2700 ram for what you wanting.

if you have any questions, need any clarification or the like, just ask away.

Mathew Shelby · 04-02-2003, 01:48 PM

Rob,
Even though the motherboard you recommended has onboard video and audio, how do I bypass them? I want an AIW 8500DV and am undecided on the sound card.

Tekara · 04-02-2003, 05:04 PM

that's easy, just installing your video card will bypass the onboard video and you can turn the onboard sound off in the bios.

I would however, reccomend to you to use the onboard sound of that motherboard. it uses the soundstorm audio which is on the same lines as the creative audigy line. it is able to encode in DD5.1 and puts out a DD5.1 signal over a digital coaxial connection.

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Glenise · 04-04-2003, 10:59 PM

http://www.motherboards.org/

I like Asus motherboards.
I also use Aopen motherboards.
http://motherboards.bizrate.com/buy/...f--mot006.html

I also love AMD.
http://motherboards.bizrate.com/buy/...f--mot006.html

Here is Intel too even though I'm an AMD woman!
http://motherboards.bizrate.com/buy/...f--mot006.html

Mathew Shelby · 04-05-2003, 11:09 AM

How do you pick a motherboard for your needs. Basically I was choosing them by prices (I know this isn't the right way).

DaveGTP · 04-05-2003, 06:26 PM

Check out some good review sites, like tomshardware.com, anandtech.com, etc. They will go over boards and give pros and cons, features, and general comments.
(PS I toss a vote for Epox boards, good experiences with them for stability)

Lyden · 04-05-2003, 09:41 PM

ive found that MSI KT3 Ultra boards are quite stable ... im running a KT4 right now after an upgrade from a KT3 ... i never had any real problems with it and they do come with built in 5.1 not greatest quality but hey it works .. some come with a Bracket that has optical and coaxial outputs on it but its only 2 chanel still good and no ground loops wiht optical

... for CPU coolers if you want quiet Zalman is the way to go (hope i spelt them right) their Quiet Maxx 5100 CPU cooler is wonderful its avilible at local compusa