Recommendations For A Low-cost Mb

[Crossy]

Hi Chaps.

I have a requirement for a low-end mainboard/CPU combo. It doesn't need a great deal of oomph (it will be running FreeBSD) but it does need:-

Onboard USB, Ethernet and graphics

Onboard SATA (and IDE would be nice but not vital)

At least two, preferably three regular PCI slots.

Cost and availability in Thailand is paramount!!

Suggestions anyone?

[webfact]

If low cost for a new MB is between 3000 and 4000 baht I would go for ASUS.

They are widely available in Thailand. You also will find second hand MB in Pantip or Fortune-

[Phil Conners]

Asrock (made by ASUS) cost about 1,700. Matching dual core CPU from 2,000. RAM 1,800 per 2 GB.

[Crossy]

Asrock (made by ASUS) cost about 1,700. Matching dual core CPU from 2,000. RAM 1,800 per 2 GB.

This is the sort of price level I'm looking at (dual core is probably a bit OTT speed wise a P4 would do the trick).

According to their website not all models are sold in all countries, got any specific MB part numbers that may suit my application?

Just looking around Pantip / Fortune / Zeer destroys my mind with the multitude of boards available

[phazey]

Asus Eee box would be cool for this...

[Tywais]

According to their website not all models are sold in all countries, got any specific MB part numbers that may suit my application?

This is a list of ASROCK MBs > http://www.shop4thai.com/en/category/PC+Co...oard/?brand=310

Asus mainboards sorted by price > http://www.shop4thai.com/en/category/PC+Co...25&brand=77

And at Thanni.com, sorted by price > http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...x&cPath=475

[Tywais]

Or go for AMD based systems.

AMD CPUS > http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68

Mainboards > http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...x&cPath=474

So around 1600 + 1000 > 2600+ for CPU and MB. 450 Baht for 1GB memory

[Phil Conners]

The prices I quoted /was/ for an AMD based system. Suggest Asrock N68PV-GS or similar. I could be wrong but I don't think there are any single core CPU's for sale anymore - in any case at 2,000 for a dual core I can't imagine a single core, even if available, would be considerable cheaper.

[stumonster]

Asus Eee box would be cool for this...

have you seen any for sale yet ?

[Tywais]

Asus Eee box would be cool for this...

have you seen any for sale yet ?

Seems shop4thai has some > Mini PC. Uses the same Atom processor as the netbooks.

[jeffer]

Asus eee box was at Commart.. if you want something slower than a five year old low level Celeron. Fine for a cheap netbook or if you have a only a tiny workspace but when you can buy an E5200 for 2600 baht... false ecomomy imo, like buying a Trabant and for slightly more being able to get a Camry, you'd get the Camry everytime. If you really only need something to do very basic tasks then the eee is okay I guess but I'd be spending a bit more to get something with the capicity to step up and run most things if needed.

E5200, a cheap mATX ASRock 945GCM-S mobo, 160GB Harddrive and 1GB RAM can be had for under 6,000 and will all run quite nicely. Just don't get an el cheapo power supply.

[stumonster]

E5200, a cheap mATX ASRock 945GCM-S mobo, 160GB Harddrive and 1GB RAM can be had for under 6,000 and will all run quite nicely. Just don't get an el cheapo power supply.

ok - the size of them is the biggest drawcard

I want something to load geexbox onto and use as a media player to the television. I know Asus had some cheap mobos with HDMI output and I was thinking a sata to CF adapter to run geexbox on and keep all the media on the NAS - no CD/DVD player required either.

when will we sight a Nvidia Ion machine

[jeffer]

http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=4609

ASUS "P5QL-EM" Intel G43 with HDMI for 3,340.00 might be worth a look. Not always favorable reviews but that can be due to it not being a overclocking board but then most mATX boards are useless for overclocking anyway.

Saw this at the Singapore IT Show recently but don't know if you can get it in Thailand, about $300 Sing without the harddisk.

http://www.playondvr.com/

[stumonster]

just looking for a good slimline powersupply now

this lot is less than 5k baht

ASUS "M3N-H/HDMI" nVidia GeForce 8300 Chipset Mainboard for AMD Socket AM3/AM2+/AM2 Retail 2680 Baht

http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=4818

AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 2.4GHz 2000MHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 CPU Retail 1395 Baht

http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=4293

Kingmax TinyBGA Series 2GB DDR2-800 PC2-6400 240 Pin RAM Retail 650 Baht

http://www.thanni.com/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=4509

bah - motherboard " SOLD OUT " - next

Edited March 27, 2009 by stumonster

[Veazer]

Asus Eee box would be cool for this...

have you seen any for sale yet ?

I've been looking at Eee boxes and competing products. I haven't seen these in thailand yet, but i really want a Fit PC2:

http://fit-pc2.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS9153577198.html

http://www.compulab.co.il/fitpc2/html/fitpc2-datasheet.htm

[stumonster]

I haven't seen these in thailand yet, but i really want a Fit PC2:

nice

could get rid of the wifi or make it optional

if it would boot from the MiniSD slot ( though a CF to 2.5sata adapter would be ok ) it would be perfect for the geexbox unit at the television.

ok I see they have the no wifi and no HD option for $245

http://fit-pc2.com/wiki/index.php?title=Pr...nd_Availability

Edited March 27, 2009 by stumonster