Smallest - cheapest AMD AM2+/AM3 motherboard

prodeous · Post by **prodeous** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:51 am

Hi.

I'm trying to do some research into a small cheap motherboard for AMD platforms.

main keys:
- cheap
- 1GB nic
- physically small. mATX/uATX, or mITX
- True AM2+ support (dual voltage plains - Core/Memory)
- some Bios undervolting options.

I looked all over, (within reach of what I can purchase in Europe)... however I am continuously not seeing the motherboard.

the closes is.

ASROCK N68PV-GS - GF 7050
however from what I recall the 7050 is from same generation as the AMD 690, so probably does not support true Dual voltage plains.

Also

ASUS M2A74-AM SE
however no 1gb nic.. i guess getting an additional 1gb nic could solve it (and is probably my choice if there are no better recommendations)

So any other recommendations?

loimlo · Post by **loimlo** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:23 am

Frankly speaking, these two boards don't support "True AM2+ support (dual voltage plains - Core/Memory)." Find a budget 780G board instead. I've purchased a MSI 780G board at a bargain price -- US$56!

780G boards are nearing its life end, yet the features aren't dated even by today's standard. Get it at a bargain price as soon as you can as channels try to dump the 780G stock to welcome 785G.

wjdashwood · Post by **wjdashwood** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:40 am

I just bought the MSI 785GM-E51 AMD 785G from eBuyer for Â£50. Does that count as budget? It seems very good value for money but I haven't had chance to put it through it's paces as yet.

prodeous · Post by **prodeous** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:28 pm

Overall the chipset is not an issue, it could be as well the 780, or 785. however the bigger concern is physical size.

ITX form factor is too expensive, so that is out of question.

therefore if you have any ideas of a small uATX 780 board. I would welcome it.

The ones listed below are approximately 24,4 x 19,4mm. so I am looking for something similar to this.

I guess I could also mention that the AMD chipset is not a pre-requesit.

for example.

ASROCK K10N78M - GF 8100.
Its 24.4 x 19.1 cm ...

Any other recommendations?

loimlo · Post by **loimlo** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:29 am

For me, budget class ranges from US$ 40 to 60. So I am afraid that Â£50 is beyond my definition of budget class. But your mileage may vary depending on your priority.

As for mATX boards, there're too many candidates to be named here. Get a cheap yet capable one for you. If you really want suggestion, I recently purchased Asrock A780GM-LE/128M at US$61, which is a steal considering it has built-in 128MB VGA memory and SB710 ACC -- a feature that may unlock disabled CPU cores.

theycallmebruce · Post by **theycallmebruce** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:28 am

Not sure about your price range, but here in Australia the Asus M3A78-EM can be had for AU$70 (About 41.50E). It's uATX with Gigabit Ethernet.

RedAE102 · Post by **RedAE102** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:26 am

Does $33 after rebate qualify as cheap? If you're going to get a 4670 in the future (a good choice, if I do say so myself

), the 740G is a good, low-power, low-cost choice. Not sure about availability in Europe, though, nor do I know about undervolting options, but it's a proper AM2+ with the split power planes as far as I know.

Edit: Helps if I include the link! LOL!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813135076

prodeous · Post by **prodeous** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:02 pm

It looks like the Asrock A780GM-LE/128M or ASROCK A780LM fit the bill.

Physically small, and decent amount of power.

Overall they will not be upgraded with Video cards, or anything.

Each system will be just CPU/MB/MEM. all booting of network.

Now i just have to find availability in Poland.

Meato · Post by **Meato** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:35 pm

I'd sure buy an Asrock before I bought an ECS board. The ECS is cheap for a reason and you get what you pay for.