MSI 880GMS-E41 (FX) AM3+ AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard for $29.99 AR w/FS

There seems to be some interest in undervolting / underclocking.

See:
Undervolting Your Phenom II And Core 2 Processors : Efficiency For Free: Core 2 Quad And Phenom II X4 At Reduced Voltage
Link [tomshardware.com]

[Solved] Underclocking to reduce TDP
Link [tomshardware.com]

A search like undervolt underclock Phenom [google.com] will show these links and more.

Quote from Liv4Deals : Anyone know of a good cheap processor to go with this? I just want to build a cheap HTPC and I have everything except the motherboard and processor. This looks like a pretty good motherboard for my purposes but I'm wondering if it might be better to wait on a motherboard/processor combo deal?

I think a few others have also recommended this, but I would say get a good Athlon II X3 or X4. I recently upgraded my HTPC from an Athlon 64 X2 4800+ to an Athlon II X3 3.0GHz that I bought off ebay for $39 shipped. Big upgrade for not a big price. You can always spend more to get the "next best thing", but unless you are heavily gaming, encoding, or doing other intense work, you do not need anything more.

Also as others have mentioned they are great for overclocking. This also means that you can undervolt them to reduce power. In fact, my main PC is an Athlon II X3 3.2GHz which I have unlocked the fourth core, undervolted to 1.34v, and overclocked to 3.6GHz. I can overclock even higher if I raise the voltage, but I prefer quieter and cooler. For such an inexpensive chip, it really gives you a lot of flexibility and power.

A lot of people have mentioned that this board only supports 95W chips. That may be an important consideration for someone, but I kind of doubt it is if you are buying a $30 AR motherboard. Same with the 2 DIMM slots instead of 4. You have to ask yourself if you really need any more for a product in this price range. Just my thoughts - not everyone will think the same way.

Quote from K6-2 : There seems to be some interest in undervolting / underclocking. See: Undervolting Your Phenom II And Core 2 Processors : Efficiency For Free: Core 2 Quad And Phenom II X4 At Reduced Voltage Link [tomshardware.com] [Solved] Underclocking to reduce TDP Link [tomshardware.com] A search like undervolt underclock Phenom [google.com] will show these links and more.

If you are interested in undervolting to reduce power consumption, you may want to verify if this board supports offset voltage before you purchase. I read somewhere that some MSI boards do not support this feature, which is really too bad. I do not know whether this specific model supports it or not.

Basically, this means that you are raising or lowering the voltage by a set amount compared to default, so that any of the reduced power states used are also raised or lowered by the same amount. Modern CPUs have multiple power states where voltage and clock speed is throttled down to save power when they are not in use. This contrasts from setting a voltage, where even in idle state the processor is always at that voltage, which could in fact even increase your overall power consumption depending on your usage.

I've built many computers but the last one I built was like 6 years ago. So I have no idea about the vast array of processors available now. All I need is something that will run lightroom 4 using Win 7. Can someone suggest a processor? There will be no gaming. Just photo/video editing, internet, and Office. I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest but I don't need a power hungry cpu fit for gaming.

thanks

Quote from dhc014 : You might be able to get a better price from superbiiz with their 15% (max $15) off code HARBOWL. These even seem to beat or nearly match Microcenter's prices. List of AMD FX CPUS at superbiiz [superbiiz.com]. Prices after coupon: FX-4100: $91.98 FX-6100: $104.98 (+$13) FX-4300: $114.98 (+$23) FX-6300: $123.98 (+$32) List of AMD FX microprocessors [wikipedia.org] for specs Personally, I would go with the newer Vishera FX-4300 for a gaming system. http://www.anandtech.com/show/639...0-tested/5 To get the price lower, you could go with the AMD Athlon II X4 640 [superbiiz.com] for $64.33.

Thanks! I will set deal alerts on the zambezi and the vishera. I'm in no hurry to build this rig.

Quote from xzjn9p : I've built many computers but the last one I built was like 6 years ago. So I have no idea about the vast array of processors available now. All I need is something that will run lightroom 4 using Win 7. Can someone suggest a processor? There will be no gaming. Just photo/video editing, internet, and Office. I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest but I don't need a power hungry cpu fit for gaming. thanks

Minimum hardware spec for Illlustrator is a Pentium 4.

Your question made me wonder if Lightroom would take advantage of 1045T's multiple cores.

I found this:

Quote : Exceed minimum system requirements The minimum system requirements to run Lightroom are just that: the minimum you need for Lightroom to operate. Additional RAM and a faster processor, in particular, can yield significant performance benefits. The requirements vary depending on the following: The types of files you work with. Their sizes. The total number of images in the catalog. The extent of spot healing or local (brushed) adjustments applied to images. Options that can help increase performance include: 64-bit, multiple-core processor (for best performance, up to six cores. The extra power is especially important if you use multiple or high-resolution monitors which require more power). At least 4 GB of RAM, more if you use Photoshop at the same time. Fast hard disks, especially for the catalog and previews. - from Lightroom Help / Optimize performance [adobe.com]

HTH

Edit: In other words, any of the currently available AMD AM3 quad / hex core will work with your program.

The price range seems to start about $70 for the last remaing AM3 chips, so you might as well catch that 1045T [tigerdirect.com] at TD while it's $109.99 $89.99 (even better ).

I just bought this board: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?...60GMAT-A-E for a new build for my son and a Sempron 145 processor. I was hoping that it would let me unlock the second core but no success.

I was wondering if I should return it and get this MSI board instead. It supports AM3+ and 95w chips (as opposed to AM3 and 65w max), also I will be using the onboard video, so that seems nicer as well.

Quote from shawnmos : I just bought this board: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?...60GMAT-A-E for a new build for my son and a Sempron 145 processor. I was hoping that it would let me unlock the second core but no success. I was wondering if I should return it and get this MSI board instead. It supports AM3+ and 95w chips (as opposed to AM3 and 65w max), also I will be using the onboard video, so that seems nicer as well.

This MSI board is far better.

Thanks, I guess I'll go through the hassle of returning it.

Quote from shawnmos : Thanks, I guess I'll go through the hassle of returning it.

It will be worth the hassle. That board is extremely crippled feature wise compared to the MSI. The 880G chipset is far superior to 760G, then there's just some strange component choices on the Zotac.

100M ethernet -> 1000M ethernet
4x Sata II -> 6x Sata III
HD3000 (no UVD) -> HD4250 (UVD 2) [HD hardware decoding]
5.1 channel audio -> 8 channel audio
VGA/DVI -> VGA/DVI/HDMI
8GB RAM -> 16GB RAM
AM3 cpu support -> AM3/AM3+ cpu support
1 year warranty -> 3 year warranty
4x rear USB 2 -> 6x rear USB 2
65 watt -> 95 watt
[...]

Even though the Zotac is deep into budget territory with that pricing, it's still a pretty terrible board. I do like how they bold the inclusion of Fast Ethernet though...can't believe boards over $30 still get made without gigabit.

Quote from johnny_5.0 : It will be worth the hassle. That board is extremely crippled feature wise compared to the MSI. The 880G chipset is far superior to 760G, then there's just some strange component choices on the Zotac. 100M ethernet -> 1000M ethernet 4x Sata II -> 6x Sata III HD3000 (no UVD) -> HD4250 (UVD 2) [HD hardware decoding] 5.1 channel audio -> 8 channel audio VGA/DVI -> VGA/DVI/HDMI 8GB RAM -> 16GB RAM AM3 cpu support -> AM3/AM3+ cpu support 1 year warranty -> 3 year warranty 4x rear USB 2 -> 6x rear USB 2 65 watt -> 95 watt [...] Even though the Zotac is deep into budget territory with that pricing, it's still a pretty terrible board. I do like how they bold the inclusion of Fast Ethernet though...can't believe boards over $30 still get made without gigabit.

Completely agree that this MSI board is a considerably better AM3 solution then the Zotac. The biggest difference between the boards is the fact that the MSI uses the SB850 versus the Zotac board that uses the SB710 chipset. The newer chipset may be the key factor in unlocking that possible extra core.

Safe bet that your getting more for the dollar with the Micro-star board.

WB

Quote from Liv4Deals : Anyone know of a good cheap processor to go with this? I just want to build a cheap HTPC and I have everything except the motherboard and processor. This looks like a pretty good motherboard for my purposes but I'm wondering if it might be better to wait on a motherboard/processor combo deal?

Amd sempron 145 can be found for $30 and this board supports unlocking them