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Thread ID: 113529 2010-10-24 09:00:00 New Budget Build? LynX (14542) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1147330 2010-10-26 08:19:00 I see many people bringing up Integrated Graphics; I think I'll just get a 880G, and MAYBE a 9600GT... No, bad idea. I won't play games for the majority of the year anyway. I just hope that 880G wouldn't be useless when it comes to gaming at 1024*768 with settings on low.

The reason why I'm choosing 500GB HDD is because someone said that the optimum price/capacity point is 500GB, and that smaller capacities have already stopped production. But the truth is, I have a 80GB HDD currently and it's about 50% filled. So, provided the price is cheap, I will buy a 320GB HDD, maybe smaller.

Another thing: what is the biggest difference between a miditower ("normal sized") ATX board and the smaller Micro-ATX? It seems like Micro ATX boards are cheaper than ATX ones. Also would you recommend getting a Micro ATX board and a small case?

Anyway, my updated specs:
AMD Athlon II X3 440
880G Motherboard
2GB RAM
Integrated Graphics
320GB HDD
Optical Drive
Case/PSU (separate or as a package deal?)

Again, any help appreciated!
LynX (14542)
1147331 2010-10-26 08:57:00 If you going to go AMD at least get a quad core, the diff can't be more than $30

:pf1mobmini:
SolMiester (139)
1147332 2010-10-26 09:03:00 I see many people bringing up Integrated Graphics; I think I'll just get a 880G, and MAYBE a 9600GT . . . No, bad idea . I won't play games for the majority of the year anyway . I just hope that 880G wouldn't be useless when it comes to gaming at 1024*768 with settings on low .

The reason why I'm choosing 500GB HDD is because someone said that the optimum price/capacity point is 500GB, and that smaller capacities have already stopped production . But the truth is, I have a 80GB HDD currently and it's about 50% filled . So, provided the price is cheap, I will buy a 320GB HDD, maybe smaller .

Another thing: what is the biggest difference between a miditower ("normal sized") ATX board and the smaller Micro-ATX? It seems like Micro ATX boards are cheaper than ATX ones . Also would you recommend getting a Micro ATX board and a small case?

Anyway, my updated specs:
AMD Athlon II X3 440
880G Motherboard
2GB RAM
Integrated Graphics
320GB HDD
Optical Drive
Case/PSU (separate or as a package deal?)

Again, any help appreciated!

We had a Micro-ATX mobo before . I think for your use it should be no problem . Our mobo only had 2 RAM slots and prob fewer USB slots but still enough for our use and less SATA connectors (likewise) . Also I guess if you want the latest chipsets and maybe ones that are for overclocking . . . .
Nomad (952)
1147333 2010-10-26 09:10:00 SolMeister: Good idea.

Nomad: 2 RAM slots? I only need 2. 2GB each
USB Ports: Currently has 6 (include front-panel) and no shortage so far.
less SATA: I only need 1.

Would it be good idea if I get a smaller case?
LynX (14542)
1147334 2010-10-26 10:16:00 SolMeister: Good idea .

Nomad: 2 RAM slots? I only need 2 . 2GB each
USB Ports: Currently has 6 (include front-panel) and no shortage so far .
less SATA: I only need 1 .

Would it be good idea if I get a smaller case?

The smaller cases probably cost more than the cheapest mid-tower ones .

Also, the bigger ones will have better cooling, usually .
Agent_24 (57)
1147335 2010-10-26 10:53:00 I take it that you don't ever want to upgrade the box LynX. Snorkbox (15764)
1147336 2010-10-27 02:16:00 The smaller case actually costs more! Oh well, micro ATX are out of the equation.

I might be able to re-use my existing case (doesn't have any fans on the case), but I suspect the PSU on that one is failing, as every time I've put in a CD and it starts spinning wild, the computer resets.

I'll end up with a pile of parts that used to occupy the case... which would be a small problem. Don't think I want to run that heap naked, but it's a lot smaller volume, which means easier to chuck away... Maybe it's a good idea.
LynX (14542)
1147337 2010-10-27 02:24:00 The smaller case actually costs more! Oh well, micro ATX are out of the equation .

I might be able to re-use my existing case (doesn't have any fans on the case), but I suspect the PSU on that one is failing, as every time I've put in a CD and it starts spinning wild, the computer resets .

I'll end up with a pile of parts that used to occupy the case . . . which would be a small problem . Don't think I want to run that heap naked, but it's a lot smaller volume, which means easier to chuck away . . . Maybe it's a good idea .

We don't have a Micro ATX case but could still install a Micro ATX motherboard .
Nomad (952)
1147338 2010-10-27 02:28:00 E day is coming on 6th November so you could get rid of the old parts then gary67 (56)
1147339 2010-10-27 03:01:00 E day is coming on 6th November so you could get rid of the old parts then

Except that I'm planning the purchase during Christmas holidays :(
LynX (14542)
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