Suggestions Needed for Mini-Itx system

I didnt get the mb it was sold when i contacted him.
But i bought 8gb of RAM for 105.
This is what i bought is this good.
-2x2GB Patriot Viper DDR2-800 (PC2-6400)
-2x2GB Kingston HyperX DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500)
 
Is this RAM for your brother's build or yours? Why 8GB?

If you plan on overclocking at a later point, you'll be limited by the Patriot Viper RAM, which (IIRC) can't go beyond DDR2 800 speeds. If used together, the Kingston HyperX kit will slow itself down to match the speeds being used by the Patriot Viper kit. Though RAM is designed to underclock itself as needed, it can be a bad thing if you plan on overclocking both kits on the same board.
 
There were fs 105 shipped for both kits. It sounded like a good deal.

I will problably use the Kingston on this matx build and the Patriot on the future itx build.
Its that good?
 
That's fine, but have you figured out which boards you're considering for each build?
 
For the matx i thinking the one you guys recommend me Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L G41 micro ATX motherboard.
Its that still good choice?
For the itx i'm not sure yet but that one will be done later around Jan-Feb.
 
Yep, the RAM is the stuff I've been using. I think you'll like it. :)

I'm not a big fan of the G41 chipset, since the ICH7 isn't the best southbridge- it has limited expansion, and it's manufactured on an older process, so it runs hotter. I've been happy with my G33M-DS2R (so happy that I have two systems running on them), and I'm not just saying that because I'm selling them. ;) I'd recommend ICH8 or later, meaning G33, G35, G43 or G45. Hell, ICH8 even means G965 if the boards that used it were any good! You could also consider NVidia- since you were looking at the 9300 for ITX, why not also consider it for mATX?
 
mavalpha said:
Yep, the RAM is the stuff I've been using. I think you'll like it. :)

I'm not a big fan of the G41 chipset, since the ICH7 isn't the best southbridge- it has limited expansion, and it's manufactured on an older process, so it runs hotter. I've been happy with my G33M-DS2R (so happy that I have two systems running on them), and I'm not just saying that because I'm selling them. ;) I'd recommend ICH8 or later, meaning G33, G35, G43 or G45. Hell, ICH8 even means G965 if the boards that used it were any good! You could also consider NVidia- since you were looking at the 9300 for ITX, why not also consider it for mATX?
Click to expand...

Any particular mb that you suggest.
 
Depending on how many hard drives you want (and RAID), it may change. Since you haven't mentioned any five-disk arrays, it's a much broader list. For outright stability, Intel, Gigabyte and (arguably) Asus are all must-haves, but the GB and Asus will let you overclock as well.
DFI LanParty JR P45-T2RS- one of a kind mATX P45 board, meaning proper x8/x8 Crossfire if interested. Can't comment on long-term stability, since DFI has always been in the overclockers' market.

Note that these are all single-GPU recommendations, so no Crossfire or x16/x4 Crossfire at best. (No SLI on these chipsets, PERIOD.)
Intel DG45ID- rock solid, but boring.
Gigabyte G45- avoid, because the PCIe x16 slot is only wired to function at x4. Don't know what Gigabyte was thinking when they designed this series.
Gigabyte G33- personal favourite is the G33M-DS2R, as I mentioned before.
Asus P5E-VM (G35)- So good it has its own thread
Foxconn P35A-S- built my friend a rig using this board, hasn't caused any problems. As reliable as Intel itself, though can't comment on overclocking. (ATX, not mATX.)

Note that my recommendations are all built around one computer doing everything, so they all have RAID functionality as well. You may or may not be able to shave a few bucks from the price by using the ICH9 instead of ICH9R.
 
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I will only use one 1tb hhd. No need for RAID. I wont Crossfire or SLi.
The asus board is deactivated on newegg.
I want a good board with some room for expandability but i dont want it to be expensive.
 
It seems to expensive.
For 100 arent there better boards.?
The G41 price sounds good but i dont know how good they are.
 
I'm too lazy to re-read the whole thread, sorry; but if you still wanted to do BD/HD playback, I'd go with GeForce 9300 or 9400 if using a Core2 chip. Otherwise, I'd go 785G or GeForce 8200 for AM3/2+.
 
Ride2kmax said:
It seems to expensive.
For 100 arent there better boards.?
The G41 price sounds good but i dont know how good they are.
Click to expand...

That's actually one of the better Intel motherboards in that price range when it comes to HTPC use.

With that said, I'd say the GA-G41M-ES2L will be fine for your needs.
 
Danny Bui said:
That's actually one of the better Intel motherboards in that price range when it comes to HTPC use.

With that said, I'd say the GA-G41M-ES2L will be fine for your needs.
Click to expand...

Thanks

What do think about the Gigabyte G33M-DS2R ?
 
Rarer than hen's teeth right now. It's a good board, based on personal experience, but not without its share of problems.

Stick with the G41M-ES2L. If you're worried about HD playback, pick up an inexpensive HD4350.
 
tiraides said:
Rarer than hen's teeth right now. It's a good board, based on personal experience, but not without its share of problems.

Stick with the G41M-ES2L. If you're worried about HD playback, pick up an inexpensive HD4350.
Click to expand...

This would go for regular use and little gaming.(wow).(Gigabyte G33M-DS2R)

The itx build is the one want good HD playback but that build will happen latter on Jan-feb.
 
enginurd said:
For gaming with the IGP? they both suck, lol. Get a vidcard for gaming. ;)
Click to expand...

O yeah i'm going to get VC.
I going to buy a used vc for $100.
I still dont know which one but i'm wanting to get a gtx260 for 100 if i find one.
 
If you're getting a vidcard, it doesn't matter which of those two boards you get. ;)
 
If you get the GTX 260, you're gonna need a quality 450W PSU with at least 33A on the +12V rail.
 
Danny Bui said:
If you get the GTX 260, you're gonna need a quality 450W PSU with at least 33A on the +12V rail.
Click to expand...

This are the psu recommended earlier on this thread. What do you think Danny Bui?
Corsair CX400 400W PSU
Corsair VX550 550W PSU
 
Ride2kmax said:
This are the psu recommended earlier on this thread. What do you think Danny Bui?
Corsair CX400 400W PSU
Corsair VX550 550W PSU
Click to expand...

The 400CX is too light for this system. The 550VX is too expensive. I'd recommend this PSU instead:
$85 - Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU

Or if you can wait till the 15th, this PSU:
$65 - Corsair 450VX 450W PSU
 
Danny Bui said:
The 400CX is too light for this system. The 550VX is too expensive. I'd recommend this PSU instead:
$85 - Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU

Or if you can wait till the 15th, this PSU:
$65 - Corsair 450VX 450W PSU
Click to expand...



Thats exactly what i thought about the 550vx.

I will wait until the 15th.

Thanks again.
 
This is what i ended up with so far.
-2x2GB Patriot Viper DDR2-800 (PC2-6400)
-2x2GB Kingston HyperX DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500)
G33M-DS2R
This items above i got from the same person on the fs section.
1tb hitachi hhd.
E5200
Dynex case
Dvdr rom- reuse old one.

On the 15th i'll get the Corsair 450VX 450W PSU.

Now i think i only need a Video card.
 
Which is better ?
BFG brand Nvidia 9800GTX+ 1GB w/ Artic Cooling Accelero S1 Rev2 or 8800GT 512MB?
In another forum they are selling them 9800gtx for 75 and the 8800gt for 65.

Which card would be a better card?
 
Though they're based off the same GPU, the BFG 9800GTX+ is the better card.

Can you confirm that you're able to get the GA-G33M-DS2R?
 
tiraides said:
Though they're based off the same GPU, the BFG 9800GTX+ is the better card.

Can you confirm that you're able to get the GA-G33M-DS2R?
Click to expand...

Yes i will get the GA-G33M-DS2R.

What would be a fair price to pay for the used BFG 9800GTX+?
To see if the seller can give me a better price.
 
Ride2kmax said:
Which is better ?
BFG brand Nvidia 9800GTX+ 1GB w/ Artic Cooling Accelero S1 Rev2 or 8800GT 512MB?
In another forum they are selling them 9800gtx for 75 and the 8800gt for 65.

Which card would be a better card?
Click to expand...

Should i get this card or just used the onboard graphics until i find a better card for $100?
 
How well do you want to play games? Which resolution would you be using?

There are better video cards available for $100 used, but waiting for one isn't worth it when you have no idea of which one you prefer.
 
Well... if you can wait, then do so, as it would only allow more time for prices to drop on the used card market -- and you could buy what's available when you can no longer wait. But I agree, you must decide on which card you're aiming for, otherwise, you'll be waiting forever. :p
 
I dont know exactly which to get but i want something like this cards...
Gtx 260/275,4890/4870, 9800gtx2, 3870x2 I dont know if i can get them for $100 but any of those cards would be nice.
 
tiraides said:
How well do you want to play games? Which resolution would you be using?

There are better video cards available for $100 used, but waiting for one isn't worth it when you have no idea of which one you prefer.
Click to expand...


I wont play too much games but when i play if i do i want to play them well.
Currently my monitor resolution is 19" 1680x1050. I been wanting to upgrade to a 24"/26" and most likely i will in the next couple of months.


What video cards you thing i should aim for $100?
 
In order fromt best to not so good choices for $100 (Used or otherwise)
- HD 4870 1GB or GTX 260
- HD 4850 1GB
- GTS 250 1GB
- HD 4870 512MB
- HD 4850 512MB/HD 4770 512MB

$80 range:
- 9800GTX+/8800GTS 512MB
- 8800GT
 
Danny Bui said:
In order fromt best to not so good choices for $100 (Used or otherwise)
- HD 4870 1GB or GTX 260
- HD 4850 1GB
- GTS 250 1GB
- HD 4870 512MB
- HD 4850 512MB/HD 4770 512MB

$80 range:
- 9800GTX+/8800GTS 512MB
- 8800GT
Click to expand...



Thanks!
 
Ride2kmax said:
This is what i ended up with so far.
-2x2GB Patriot Viper DDR2-800 (PC2-6400)
-2x2GB Kingston HyperX DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500)
G33M-DS2R
This items above i got from the same person on the fs section.
1tb hitachi hhd.
E5200
Dynex case
Dvdr rom- reuse old one.
xfx hd 4890 1gb ddr5

On the 15th i'll get the Corsair 450VX 450W PSU.

Now i think i only need a Video card.
Click to expand...

I got a video card. I went to Best Buy to look for the 9800gt 1gb thats on the hot deals (for $69.99) but no luck. I ask for a price check and well the lowest was $109 9800gt 1gb and $69.99 for the 9800gt 512mb. I told them in that case i wont buy anything but he started checking prices on bb computer and told me this prices for this video cards the gtx 260 for 172.99 the 4850 1gb for $144 and the xfx 4890 1gb for $174.99.

So i bought the xfx hd 4890 1gb for $174.99 + tax. I got a bb credit card so i charged it. I can return it within 45 days just in case i change my mind or find something better for $100 cash.
Now I havent gotten a PSU so now i dont know if the last recommended psu(corsair 450vx) would handle this card. If i have to get a better one which would be a good psu?
Can someone suggest a psu that would handle 2 of this cards in crossfire if later down the road i get another 4890 for cheap.

This build is becoming something completely different to what i planned.
 
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