Is this a decent board for the money.

[msmrx57]

I'm looking to do a cheap build and try to use as many spare parts as I can. Newegg has a combo with this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138179 and this cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103873. The only other thing I'd need to pick up wold be ram and was thinking this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311. It won't be overclocked or used for heavy gaming. Just wanted to get some input/opinions. Thank in advance.

[Lothair]

Well I was going to recommend this board, but it's out-of-stock at the moment.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813130275R

So I would recommend these ones.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128394

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131595

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813138197R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813130293R

I'm using the Ripjaw memory modules and am pretty happy with them. Pretty good budget memory with the added bonus of looking pretty cool.

However I would choose the triple core processor at 3.2GHz over the dual core processor at 3.2GHz. The price difference is less than 10 dollars. And who knows, maybe you'll get one with an unlockable core thus boosting you up to a quad core processor. It just seems entirely worth it either way for the added $8 asking price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103886

Edit: The combo price is $135, whereas the most expensive board there added with that processor is $150. That's with the most expensive option. Either way, I still think the extra $15 or less is worth an extra core with that small chance of being able to unlock it into an extra two cores. -_^

[DrkSide]

+1 on the triple core processor. Even if you don't get the other core to unlock it will be well worth the minimum investment.

I would probably suggest one of the last two boards that Lothair posted because of the DDR3 support. Since DDR2 is more expensive for older technology as well as you may be able to reuse it when you decide to upgrade.

[Lothair]

Yeah, I wasn't too sure about the DDR2. I almost chose a board that wasn't as good from the same company because of it, however it was stated in the opening sentence that there would be usage of spare parts. And c'mon, who doesn't have a stick or two of DDR2 laying around? :p

So I posted those boards anyways just in case of a cost effectiveness angle unbeknownst to ourselves. And you can find DDR2 on the cheap through ebay, craigslist or probably even here on the forums.

I think by the time I'm ready to upgrade again, DDR4 will probably be out. lol

[msmrx57]

Unfortunately none of those boards are what I want. I'm looking for ATX not MATX for future expansions and upgrades. DDR3 is actually a must as well since the cost of DDR2 is the main reason for the build. It'll cost a little more but better perfomance out of the box and down the road. My main question was if the board that I listed was a good one or not, it has everything that I want/need. As far as the processor goes I didn't see the triple core when I was looking at combos but for the price difference that's a no brainer to get the triple.

[Kayin]

Biostar boards are doing pretty well these days.

FWIW, what expansion do you need that a mATX won't give these days?

[Lothair]

I'm not a terribly big fan of Biostar, but that's an alright board. I'd say this one is better, though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813130293R

As far as "future expansions" go, don't even bother. Things change too fast to even consider it. Just buy something fairly up to date, which both boards are. I mean by the time an upgrade is actually worth it, you'll probably have to do a complete rebuild. Not considering graphics cards of course. But both boards are identical in that respect. So as far as this topic goes, I'd actually say the board listed above better suits your concerns on multiple levels.

Your main (and only, really) question was whether what you had selected was the cheapest option or not. I'd say yes, however for a minor price difference what I listed is better. That's just my opinion though, which is what you were looking for.

But the board you listed really isn't too different. It will/should serve your needs just fine. The ripjaw memory is great budget memory, I even used it in my phantom build (priced at $2k a couple of weeks ago). And I'd definitely go with the tri-core I listed.

[msmrx57]

FWIW, what expansion do you need that a mATX won't give these days?

Network card (wireless) Audio card, mainly for input as most on-board is pretty good just don't have good input. Also video card for multiple outputs. And this will be going into a full tower.