Micro-ATX

[alexvdl]

The GF is whining about getting a computer, and she wants something "fun" and "cute" so.... I was thinking about goin' witha Micro-ATX type format. She's not a power-user, and mainly wants something to play music, check her email, write papers, and the ilk on.

I really like the Athenatech A100 Micro-ATX case (http://www.systemcooling.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1040) that was just linked too, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a good Micro-ATX board. On-board LAN is important, as are a good number of USB ports. On board Sound is negligible as it will be one of the first things upgraded. I believe that most onboard sound is like listening to my sister perform on her baby beat box. *shudders*

Anyone got any good suggestion? Oh and I really prefer AMD over Intel, and ATI over nVidia.... but if a nForce2 board is the best solution I'll survive... It's not my computer...

[Google]

[[TN] Nathan]

ECS K7VMM+ Via KM266 Athlon(XP) Duron SktA DDR

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=702314/ut=42ba437774245fe3

ECS board are the best solution for cost effective motherboards.
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[alexvdl]

Very Nice. Do you know of any place that has a review of that beasty?

I'm pretty sure that you can use either the DDR or the SD DIMMS but not both. Am I correct in assuming that the DDR would be a better bet? And then the ECS site says it'll take, DDR266/200. I zipped over to Crucial Website and it gave me choices for PC2100, PC2700, and PC 3200. With a ten dollar price difference between the 2100 and the 3200 am I better off going with that?

The fact that that board is purple is sure to please the GF.... now just to mod that case for a window... *laughs evilly*

Appreciate the help.

[[TN] Nathan]

I don't know off hand. Do a search on a search engine and it might come up.
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[PaKelley]

Hi

I have one of the Athenatech A100BB ( Black ) Micro-ATX case with Biostar M6VCF motherboard. I am using it for a HTPC that I am setting up. It's a great little case and the fans in it are very quite - you can't hear them unless you get right down next to the case. I have a VIA C3 Nehemiah 1 gig CPU with 256megs of PC-133 RAM ( less 15 watts of heat under full load so it doesn't need a huge heatsink and fan.

For you use you could use a BioStar M7VIG Pro motherboard ( http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/mainboard/socket_a/m7vigp/index.php3?name=M7VIG%20Pro# ) with either a Duron or Anthon CPU. I have one in my wife's computer with an old T'Bird 1.2 g CPU and 512 megs of PC-133 RAM ( the board will support both SDRAM and DDR ). It has 10/100 LAN built in. It has the S3 ProSavage 8 Video Integrated and C-MediaCMI9739A 6-Channel AC'97 CODEC on the board ( the newer built-in sound chips sound much better then the old ones. This C-Media unit can be outputted to a surround-sound spearker system , if you wish.

[alexvdl]

Thank you very much for that advice. I'll have to take a closer look at that mobo before I make my decision but it sounds like it's got the necessary components for what it needs to do.
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Althon xp 2100+ @ 2100+, DFI LANParty nForceII Ultra Rev. B, 512 of Kingston, and an Evil Wizard Radeon 7500!

[[TN] Nathan]

I will also be reviewing his case next week so stay tuned.
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[alexvdl]

Excellence. It's gotten good reviews elsewhere and I can't waif TweakNews to rip it apart. MUAHAHA.
_________________
__________[(Crayola)]>_____________
Althon xp 2100+ @ 2100+, DFI LANParty nForceII Ultra Rev. B, 512 of Kingston, and an Evil Wizard Radeon 7500!