$89 Barebone Combo: AMD A4-3400(+iGPU) + MSI A55M mATX + GSkill DDR3 8GB @Newegg

[TJCS]

Update: Back in Stock!

$89 Barebone Combo (Link):

• AMD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz Dual-Core (+iGPU)
• MSI A55M-P33 Micro ATX Motherboard (+UEFI BIOS)
• G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
  

= $104.99

- $6 (Coupon Code: AMDfastpitch)
- $10 Mail-In-Rebate
​

________________________________
Total = $88.99

:awe:

 

[bznotins]

A good deal but just a quick FYI that the mobo doesn't have HDMI if you were looking to use this as a HTPC.

 

[Fayd]

A good deal but just a quick FYI that the mobo doesn't have HDMI if you were looking to use this as a HTPC.

DVI is electrically compatible with HDMI, and the board claims 8 channel sound. i only see the standard 3 plugs, so i'd guess that it does surround sound out on the unused pins of DVI. my 3870 does that..if i get a proper DVI-HDMI converter, i can get sound out through the DVI port.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Yes I picked up a cheap converter from BB and it worked fine.

 

[jacktesterson]

DVI to HDMI works fine on this board with audio...FYI

 

[marvdmartian]

The only thing that would make me nervous about the mobo is seeing some recent comments of DOA. Never fun, to get everything together, only to have to troubleshoot, and discover the mobo is dead. :\

 

[B-Riz]

Dang it!

I grabbed that combo yesterday to put in a SOHO computer for a friend; did not know about the discount.

 

[wirednuts]

seems like a really good deal!

 

[Mitch101]

I bit for an HTPC. Will probably add a 6450 video card when they go on sale for $15.00AR again.

 

[jacktesterson]

I bit for an HTPC. Will probably add a 6450 video card when they go on sale for $15.00AR again.

Just wondering why for a HTPC?

 

[bznotins]

Yes I picked up a cheap converter from BB and it worked fine.

Does it pass through Bitstreamed DTS/DD?

 

[Mitch101]

Just wondering why for a HTPC?

My Main rig is a Quad 965 with a mild OC and 16gigs of ram and Radeon 6870 video card.

Ive wanted to build an HTPC for a while I plan on using the above but Im going to upgrade the wifes PC with the 8gig and take her 4gig and put that in the HTPC which is still plenty.

I plan on using Windows Media Center with an X-Box 360 controller and USB wireless adapter. I have the XBMC, Hulu, and Boxee plug in that puts them into the GUI of Windows Media Center. I also have an HD Homerun dual tuner which works great with media center for recording HDTV OTA. When I plan on adding the gaming option to XBMC for easy naviagation then I will upgrade to a dedicated video card that can do 1920x1080 because this will be on my projector - 110" screen.

Ive tried a bunch of streaming boxes but they all fall short in one way or another.

 

[CU]

Do all DVI to HDMI converters pass through sound if there is sound on the DVI's unused pins, or does the adapter have to specifically say it does it?

Seems like a nice combo for a HTPC. You might want to add a GPU if you plan to use linux though, as I don't think the APU is supported very will in linux. I am looking at this for use as a Mythtv box. It is very tempting.

 

[jacktesterson]

Does it pass through Bitstreamed DTS/DD?

Yes

 

[Fayd]

Do all DVI to HDMI converters pass through sound if there is sound on the DVI's unused pins, or does the adapter have to specifically say it does it?

Seems like a nice combo for a HTPC. You might want to add a GPU if you plan to use linux though, as I don't think the APU is supported very will in linux. I am looking at this for use as a Mythtv box. It is very tempting.

if the DVI end has its full assortment of pins, then it does. if it doesn't, then probably not.

 

[Engineer]

Tempting as I just got a 10% off coupon in my e-mail from Newegg (first ever in over 10 years of business). Nah, don't need it but thanks anyway OP!

 

[CU]

As mythtv doesn't support this APU that well, would the CPU be able to play back 1080i and 1080p without the help of it's APU? Or do you have to get a dedicated GPU or play lower resolution movies?

 

[digitaldurandal]

it is gone great deal too

 

[SimMike2]

DVI to HDMI works fine on this board with audio...FYI

Very useful information!

 

[Fayd]

it is gone great deal too

shows in stock for me.

 

[Binky]

Looks like a very good deal for a simple system (htpc/normal no gaming desktop use).

Chase Freedom Visa may offer an additional 3% off, or 1% normal plus 2% "extra" points. To get this, follow the link through their UltimateRewards mall.

 

[yhelothar]

How would this CPU be with a Radeon 5770 or 4890 for gaming?
Would the CPU hold these graphics cards back much?

It should be about as fast as conroe core2duo clock for clock right?

 

[yhelothar]

I wish Anandtech had the A4 in their benchmarks. The A6 looks pretty closely matched with Core2Duo clock for clock. A4 has much less cache at 1MB vs 4MB though, so it looks like it'd fare quite a bit worse.

 

[Fayd]

I wish Anandtech had the A4 in their benchmarks. The A6 looks pretty closely matched with Core2Duo clock for clock. A4 has much less cache at 1MB vs 4MB though, so it looks like it'd fare quite a bit worse.

maybe 2-4% slower clock for clock.

it's gonna be roughly on par with c2d.

 

[yhelothar]

Hmmm I notice that I can get the Phenom II X4 925 with mobo and 4GB ram goes for the same price.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2265217&highlight=microcenter

This would be considerably faster than the A4 right? I'm thinking it'd be about as quick for games though since there aren't any games that takes advantage of quad core.