Building mid-level system with onboard graphics

J

JJ Johnson

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Jun 26, 2008
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I'm putting together a mid-level system that will be used mostly for web surfing and watching DVDs. I'd like it to have onboard graphics and be micro-ATX sized, to fit an Antec NSK-3480 case. Dual-core CPU is a must (I'll never build another single core). The system will be running under Windows XP Pro.

What are some recommendations for an appropriate CPU and chipset or motherboard? Probably want to spend <$400 for the system, minus the monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse.
 
Please answer the questions in the sticky marked "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST". You've answered most of those the questions already but there are a few more that we need answered.
 
To fill in the blanks: I already have a copy of the OS, so it's not a part of the $400 budget. I expect to install 2GB of RAM for XP. I'm in the US and will be buying and building the system in the next week or two. Won't be overclocking. Not sure which monitor, but it will be 19-21" LCD, possibly a widescreen, probably in the 1280x1024 to 1440x900 neighborhood. The system will have a single, small (250-320GB) hard drive.

One other consideration is that I'm trying to build a fairly quiet system, so passive CPU cooling is a plus. The Antec NSK-3480 has a 120mm case fan in close proximity to the CPU. Ideally, the system would have only the PSU fan, plus a single case fan.

I'd like it to be a fairly snappy system, even though it's being built to a budget. My main desktop is currently an Athlon64 X2 4400+/ASUS A8N-SLI Premium/2GB RAM, built almost three years ago, and I'm hoping I can approach that level of performance today in a budget system.
 
In all honesty - if all the system will be used for is web surfing and DVD playback I would get a low voltage and low wattage CPU. Maybe something like this.

You might as well go for good power consumption, low heat and a ultra quiet rig. ;)
 
Just want to be clear here: The NSK 3480 is part of the budget correct? So you will be needing a CPU, mobo, NSK3480, HDD, HSF, RAM, and CD drive for $400, correct?
 
Right - let's say $400 before shipping and taxes.

I'm trying to sort through AMD's latest CPU naming convention (is it any wonder they're losing money with that freaking mess?), but the 4850e is looking like a nice low power offering. Motherboards built around their 780G chipset look like they may be what I'm after.
 
JJ Johnson said:
Right - let's say $400 before shipping and taxes.

I'm trying to sort through AMD's latest CPU naming convention (is it any wonder they're losing money with that freaking mess?), but the 4850e is looking like a nice low power offering. Motherboards built around their 780G chipset look like they may be what I'm after.
Click to expand...

Edit: PM sent for possible CPU acquisition.
 
^ PM that.

For an integrated mobo setup, the AMD 780G chipset is formidable:
CPU - A low power Athlon, norm used to be the 4850e but that's been deactivated on Newegg (wtf?)
Mobo - Gigabyte 780G, or similar. mATX or ATX?
 
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