Building MicroATX System

[shah456]

Okay so my girlfriend is going to college and she needs a computer. I figured a MicroATX system would be nice since it is so small. I have never built a MicroATX system so I would like to hear some advice from you guys. I want this system to be as quiet as possible. The following is what I have seensfor the system. Any input would be much appreciated.

CPU: Athlon64 3200+ or 3400+
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-K8VM800M
Case: ASPIRE X-QPack
HD: 200GB (Maybe more or less)
Drive: DVD Burner
Ram: 512mb
PSU: not sure
Video: Probably on board
Sound: on board

 

[Crescent13]

build it around this

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Crescent13
build it around this

I concur :beer:

- M4H

 

[shelaby]

xoxide has the x-qpack for ~50 for tonite x-hour deal. better get in on it quick though

 

[imported_Kensai]

See above comments. The MSI RS480M2 would crush that Gigabyte board.

 

[imported_killuminati]

Decrease CPU from 3200+ to AMD Athlon64 3000+ Socket 939 Venice .
Get MSI RS480M2 .
Get 512MB x 2 DDR400 PC3200 Value Corsair , OCZ , Kingston , Crucial , PQI .
Get 120GB SATA Harddisk , Seagate , Maxtor .
PSU is fine , geta 20-pin tp 24-pin Convertor .
Get NEC , Poineer , SONY , BenQ , Asus , Lite-on DVD-Burner .
The onboard Video and SOund will do the rest .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[gar3555]

sad, it won't let me get the case on xoxide, I really wanted it, and 58 bucks is amazing...dang

 

[furballi]

Get a cheap DELL. No need to spend that kind of $ on a tiny case.

 

[Zepper]

You'd have to do a heck of a lot of talking to justify a 64-bit processor in a machine for college (particularly one you're making in a case that's so easy to walk off with). An Asrock Sock-A mATX mobo with a Sempron Sock-A CPU would be more than adequate for most purposes while saving significant dollars. With this as a basis, you wouldn't need to change PSUs either.

.bh.

 

[boomerang]

I wouldn't go with that case either for fear that it would disappear one day. Too unique and attractive.

I'd go with an Athenatech case. It's also available in beige to make it even less desirable.

With the board and processor Zepper suggests, the PS is more than adequate. I've built a number of systems with this case and really like it.

 

[fishstickz]

I have that case and that motherboard. It has yet to let me down.

 

[Topweasel]

Not as cool as the X-Qpack but reliable and from a known Manufacturer.

Antec Aria

Another Possiblility is going with a inexpensive Shuttle system (not Micro ATX but FlexATX). I have one that is running strong for over a year and a half. They can be made prety cheap and have possibilites from Athlon-Athlon 64-Athlon 64 X2 and Celeron-Pentium IV- Pentium D.

 

[Zepper]

I would second the Athenatech A100 series cases or since most females could care less about windows on the sides of their computers, perhaps the windowless Chenming A118. Or the Enermax Venus series in blue/silver. That one has an excellent PSU.

.bh.

 

[Sentinel]

thats a nice setup for her, hope she appreciates it

btw if the Qpack is 58 bucks shipped go for it the other cases are more expensive!