ATX motherboards ok?

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DMB35

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Im looking seriosuly at this "bestbuy" house brand pc, they're selling for 1499. They dont mention much about the motherboard, just that its an ATX......Does anyone use one? Im wandernig if its any good for our purposes.

Other stuff looks good, 512mb, 120 gb, 2.2 ghz.

Let me know your opinions if ya could, thanks again, Gare
 
Hi DMB35,

ATX refers to the form factor -or- how big the thing is. Older computers had AT boards. Newer ones are all ATX. There are bigger as well for dual cpu's. That's the limit of my technical knowledge I'm afraid - however - there is a LOT more to it. Hopefully someone else will jump in and further enlighten us. For now I will say that you should stay away from house brand machines. Keep reading.

lou
 
Sky Lou Blue pretty much summed it up. It's just a form factor but also has some other spec's particuliar to ATX. There is also micro ATX, extended ATX.

The motherboard is a critical component in a computer system. I'm assuming your buying this machine for audio work. I'd be a bit leary of buying a 'house' 'best buy' branded computer though. Stay away from them as Sky Blue already stated. They use the cheapest components possible to get the price down, but keeping the spec's semi-impressive.

Tell us a bit about what your using it for and I'm sure something can be spec'd out in the same dollar range using better quality name-brand components.
 
Thanks,

Sure, I am looking to use this primarily as my audio PC. Im planning on getting the M Audio omni studio (Delta 66 and the Omni box) for this PC i intend to buy. I started out thinking Dell, but thought im paying too much for the name. Then I started doing more shopping found these Bestbuys and spec wise, I cant beat their price (the 120 gig,2.2 ghz, 512 mb) really stands out for 1499 to me. I agree though, there must be a catch somewhere right? Bestbuy also sells Sony Vios, but they arent nearly as poweful or as cheep.

As far as my uses for it go. Like i said I plan to put my delta 66 in the pc, and I record mostly audio and a little midi. I mostly record only 2 tracks at a time, for ex my vocal and guitar or piano, and then play myself over those tracks. 1 man band here. I wanted to get something top of the line spec wise right now, that can get me through my 3 years of law school (the $ for the pc is from graduation).

I started investigating some rogue internet companies that build pcs. Ive looked at pricewatch.com and reselleratings.com Most of the highly reviewed sites cost nearly as much as a Dell. I started another thread about an hour before this one concerning one of those companies, and whether or not anyone on the board had any experience with an internet company that built thier system.

Thats pretty much my current delemma, all the advice you can give is greatly appriciated. Gare
 
*bump*


I've been shopping around all morning. Tempted to go with a Dell, given the convienace.......but i cant find where they list the motherboards they use on the 8200.

Have also checked ibuypower.com and Mwave.com but I still need some help on what chipsets to get, what the hell ecc vs non ecc is etc...


Gare
 
Emeric is right,

You would do better building a computer (This may sound hard -but its not- ) Many "custom" built computers use the cheapest integrated components they can find (sound and video built into the motherboard). They then sell it to you with a markup in price. Brand name computers are not much better.

One way I like to think about it is.....

Don't buy a brand name computer. Build a computer with brand name parts.

Many of these prebuilt computers are not upgradable.

I can also offer some suggestions if you would like.

Regards,

Joe
 
This is the motherboard I currently have...

ASUS A7A-266 here is a pic...
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=13-131-103-01.JPG/13-131-103-02.JPG

This board takes both SDR ram PC100 or PC133, and DDR ram. This is nice if you have old ram and want to reuse it. That is what I did.

This board has onboard sound, but you can still add your sound card to it.

This motherboard supports all AMD socket A processors. (translation: great for upgrades> I put in a 750MHz AMD Duron for $33, I can also put in the latest AMD Socket A Athlon chip)

If you need to buy ram....

Crucial is the best....
http://www.crucial.com/
Got to go to lunch! be back in an hour

Joe
 
Ok, heres one i just put togeather on mwave.com, give me any suggestions you can:

INTEL PENTIUM 4 DDR SYSTEMS
CG 6039L CASE W/FRONT USB
16X DVD / 1.44 FDD
DIAMOND SUPERMAX V.90 56K
SOUND BLASTER LIVE! 5.1
ALTEC LANSING AVS500 SPEAKERS
MS KEYBOARD & INTELLIMOUSE
(ABIT BD7-R-Specs; INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.0AG - 478; 512MB ECC PC2100; AOPEN G3 TI200 64MB DDR AGP W/TV; 80GB IDE HDD; LITE ON 32X/12X/40X CDRW; MS WINDOWS XP HOME; NO MONITOR)

thats $1,219.13,

then i need to find a cheep monitor somewhere.

Gare
 
Hey,

I just went to the site so I could break the prices down......

I will post something shortly... got to do some price comparisons..
 
Just a heads up:

An often looked over component on 'value' systems - the power supply.

I started typing a long rant about a friend's machine, and it's pathetically small power supply, but I cut it out cause you probably won't care. :)

But anyway, check the power supply. Make sure it's at least 300 watts or higher. I think with the newer AMD and Intel chips, you might even want 350.

Later,
Bill
 
All I would add is to stay away from Dell. They are OK for corporate use, but they use their own proprietary motherboards and hardware. You will never be able to make any significant upgrades to one. Plus a lot of their stuff (like the computer cases) is very cheaply made. And I say that as an IT guy who supports a company increasingly filled with Dell computers.
 
Mid-Tower ATX 4350 USP $40.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...e_Code=M&Product_Code=100007&Category_Code=C1

Asus A7M266D Dual MP (AMD) $206.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...re_Code=M&Product_Code=110416&Category_Code=M

Gainward GeForce3 TI200 (TV Out) 64MB AGP $149.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...e_Code=M&Product_Code=190804&Category_Code=VC

512MB DDR PC2100 ? CL=2.5 Unbuffered Non-parity 7.5ns 2.5V 64Meg x 64 $165.59 http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...ne=ASUS+Motherboards&model=A7M266-D&submit=Go
AMD Athlon MP 1500+ 3 Year Warranty $286.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...re_Code=M&Product_Code=120609&Category_Code=P


Maxtor 80GB ATA 133 IDE 7200 RPM $157.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...e_Code=M&Product_Code=150409&Category_Code=HD
Lite-On 16x DVD 40x CD-ROM $59.00 http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...e_Code=M&Product_Code=160806&Category_Code=D1
Mitsumi $20.00

Total: $1,082.59 add $100 for OS and $100 for Power Supply.
 
What you will notice is this has TWO Processors (the price I showed is for 2 processors). The motherboard holds and uses BOTH processors! cool...

The price is very close. I use to be 100% Intel, but AMD kicks butt for value and quality. AMD all the way.

Again, this is a DUAL CPU machine!

sorry for the sloppyness, but I was in a hurry, but I think you get the picture.

Joe
 
Bill is right about the power supply, and if you go the Dual route, you will want a powerful one.

I couldn't help myself with the Dual system. My point being, you could build a single CPU computer for even less money.

Joe
 
Why putting unbuffered memory in such a board? It is asking for trouble. Get some (infineon CL2) registered ones. Also a second HD is a good idea.

If you go the dual route, make sure the rest of your hard and soft is up to it. Duals are a bit more difficult selecting their mates. From experience: Creamware products and CEP do not work with dual AMD.
 
Jblaven,

thanks for the help, but 1 thing, Im not able to build it myself....i need that done for me. I like that monarc site for prices, but I looked around and Im not sure if you can customize pcs there, it looks like you have to buy their ready made systems I think, not sure. Also Im checking out the dawbox.com site. I am going to get the Omni I/O bundle anyway, and that site would install it for me.

Gare
 
My fault man, I see where I had to go on the monarch site to customize.

Gare
 
Ok guys, I talked to justin at Dawbox, heres the setup i configured:

studio and software, do you guys install the hardware and configure it to the software before shipping?

Again thank you for your help, Gary

P4-2.0 478
P4-DDR (motherboard)
ATA-100 RAID (Controller)
20G-ATA-7200 133 (OS drive)
1.44mb White
512-DDR2100
40G-ATA-7200 133 (Rec drive)
Mitsumi-48X cd drive
Omni-I/O Bundle (Delta 66 + the omni studio)
ATI-EX2000-32M (Video Card)
Lite-On-32x10x40 CDRW
Wht-Mid-300 (Tower)
Microsoft-Internet keyboard
G70mb black CRT 17inch
Logitech-Optical mouse
standard ground
Windows-XP Home

for $1900.

Please let me know what you guys think

Gare
 
Now you're getting somewhere. This at least is a real DAW that will come with the OS installed and everything working. I don't know much about Dawbox as a company other than what I've seen posted - mostly good. There are others out there that will supply you with their idea of a turnkey box. You may want to check around. As far as specific components go I built an AMD box and not one of my components is what you're looking at so I can't say. 512 meg of RAM is a good thing (2 x 256?) and so is two hard drives. I do use the Omni and like it very much.

Are you sure you can't build your own? The cost savings could be substantial and you'll know how it all goes together come the time you want to add/change something (or have to!). Check out Prorec.com and the Roll Yer Own Thunderbird. That's what I built and while it ain't bleeding edge it's a solid system that was substantially less than $1900. Best of all, now that I know how to do it if/when I need a faster/higher track count system I can do it myself no problem.

lou
 
DMB35 said:
P4-2.0 478
P4-DDR (motherboard) - What manufacturer, what model? Although this is a turnkey machine, I'd want to know the brand.
ATA-100 RAID (Controller)
20G-ATA-7200 133 (OS drive)
1.44mb White
512-DDR2100 - Generic or Namebrand?
40G-ATA-7200 133 (Rec drive)
Mitsumi-48X cd drive - Not a super essential component since you already have a burner. Disk to Disk copies can be useful, but burning an image of the CD, off the hard drive is more reliable. A common point made, for having both CD and CD-RW, is that using your CD-RW to install software, subjects it to unneeded wear and tear. I don't buy into that. With the low prices of burners these days, it's not a big issue.
Omni-I/O Bundle (Delta 66 + the omni studio)
ATI-EX2000-32M (Video Card) - ATI is not my fav company for tech support/customer service and especially their 15MB+ Driver downloads. Nvidia chipset based video cards or the Matrox stuff would be a better choice.
Lite-On-32x10x40 CDRW - Cheap drive, I'd go up a notch to a LG electronics, Sony, and top of the line - TDK/Plextor.
Wht-Mid-300 (Tower) - What manufacturer, and more importantly, who makes the powersupply?
Microsoft-Internet keyboard
G70mb black CRT 17inch
Logitech-Optical mouse
standard ground
Windows-XP Home
Click to expand...

Just my thoughts.

This is what I'd build, based around those specs:

ASUS P4B266
Intel Pentium 4 2GHz
40GB Seagate quiet 7200RPM (OS, price difference between a 20GB $8)
Panasonic floppy
512MB DDR, namebrand. Samsung, Micron, Hyundai etc.
40GB Seagate quiet 7200RPM
LG Electronics 24X10x40 CD-RW
Omni-I/O Bundle (Delta 66 + the omni studio)
Nvidia based video card, 64MB AGP (MSI, Powercolor)
In-Win S508 Mid-tower ATX, 300W Powerman powersupply
Keyboard/Mouse
Monitor, decent one, LG E700 flat CRT, or Philips Flat CRT.
Windows XP Home
 
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