Looking for micro atx build!

this is a little bit of reading, but please bear with it. well im in the process of starting my research to build a micro atx case with either a pentium d 920, or amd x2 3800+.

i think the 3800 is a much better chip from what ive read, but... seems like amd is switching from the socket 939 to a new AM2 socket (supports ddr2).

i would really like to buy now, but with the release date in june, i feel like id get more for my money if i waited a few months. that way whatever i buy, will have a longer lifespan.

ex. if i buy the 3800+ now with some ddr, the ddr will already be on the way out, along with the amd socket 939 chip.

here is what im looking at from newegg so far. please post comments, im interested!!! i have no gaming needs for now. just do a lot of dvd encoding, mp3 encoding, and multitasking. Yes i know, in the past intels were better at video encoding, but the 3800+ show a lot of promise in the test results ive seen on toms hardware, etc.


ive never owned an amd chip, and im still al ittle hesistant about buying one, but everyone that has had them or switched, has loved them.

ASPIRE X-QPACK-BK/420 Black Aluminum 1.0 w/ ABS plastic front panel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case ATX 420W power supply Power Supply - Retail
Model #: X-QPACK-BK/420
Item #: N82E16811144161

In Stock
$85.00 $85.00 Update
ASUS A8N-VM CSM Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: A8N-VM CSM
Item #: N82E16813131570
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$78.99 $78.99 Update
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3800BVBOX
Item #: N82E16819103562
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$295.00 $295.00 Update
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT400
Item #: N82E16820145440

In Stock
$66.99 $66.99 Update
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3808110AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3808110AS
Item #: N82E16822148107

In Stock
$58.00 $58.00 Update
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #: N82E16835100007
** This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model within 30 days only.
In Stock
$5.99 $5.99 Subtotal: $589.97



motherboard needs to have int. gfx on it for now. will be getting a mid-ranged card when need be. also looking at a few BIOSTAR motherboards.

here is the intel config.

ASPIRE X-QPACK-BK/420 Black Aluminum 1.0 w/ ABS plastic front panel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case ATX 420W power supply Power Supply - Retail
Model #: X-QPACK-BK/420
Item #: N82E16811144161

In Stock
$85.00 $85.00 Update
GENERIC 18" 2-Head Red SATA (SERIAL ATA 150) Cable Model SERIAL ATA 18 - OEM
Model #: SERIAL ATA 18
Item #: N82E16812104150

In Stock
$2.99 $2.99 Update
ASUS P5LD2-VM Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5LD2-VM
Item #: N82E16813131545
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$101.50 $101.50 Update
Intel Pentium D 920 Presler 800MHz FSB LGA 775 Dual Core Processor Model BX80553920 - Retail
Model #: BX80553920
Item #: N82E16819116237
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$253.00 $253.00 Update
Patriot Signature Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PSD21G667K - Retail
Model #: PSD21G667K
Item #: N82E16820220066

In Stock
$98.22 $98.22 Update
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3808110AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3808110AS
Item #: N82E16822148107

In Stock
$58.00 $58.00 Subtotal: $598.71

i would like to stay under 700$. i would also like to squeeze two of the barracuda's in there for raid, and two 200gb drives. plus one dvd burner. think it can be done with the included PSU? i dont see why not, and the space permits it. if not, ill have to cut the raid, or one of the 200giggers;

i like the smallness. i currenty have my sig, and will be parting ways with the laptop when i build the desky. i will be moving out of my house to school. i would like something small that i can bring home 2x a month.

i am looking at atx options as well, but again, i like the micro better for now.

i know it will be space limited, and not as good cooling. this is also a plus for the x2 chip because they run much cooler than intels.


question. does the 920 stack up to the 3800? or is the 3800 mor elike a 930/940??

i feel like i want this computer, but might wait on the socket change. i feel thatll prolong the life of anything i buy more (ram, cpu, mobo)

yea i still have till about aug. to purchase something.

ive been out of the desktop loop for so long, i just like to freshen up a little.

i do have about 4 months to decide. i already have an atx case i could use. i am however finding it to be harder to find an atx mobo with int. gfx on it that has all the things i want. sata2, whatever pin count, raid setup.

ive also never played with a raid setup before, is it worth buying two of those 7200.9's and raiding them? only cost about 100$ for both.

and in reply to your PM, yes i was curious as to your future plans in the summer for a desky.

only going integrated until i want to buy a gfx card. i dont really game alot, and dont require it right away.

thats another consideration, a gfx card will add heat, and require more psu power, so im leaning towards atx right now.

i would love to find a 100$ ish ATX mobo with int gfx (abit or asus prefer) i will buy a gfx card in the next few months, just not right now.

i can get one thatll last me for a while for under 200$.

is there any performance hit to getting a micro atx mobo/???
i would think that maybe the bigger boards have the better (maybe hotter) running chipsets?

that link is the atx mobo i was going to buy. for the micro build.

well i think ive decided to wait for conroe.

until then, the money will just sit and wait (:

also thinking of buying a 700m size notebook. nothing special, maybe spend 800 tops.

having seen what the x2 3800 does, i was impressed. however ive always used intel, (i know) and im more comfortable using them for my video encoding.

im not looking to transfer my micro atx computer on trips, maybe home 2x a month, but thats a short car ride.

damn hate waiting, but will for better deal.