Best budget motherboard/cpu combo

[GregD]

Building a bartop on a budget.  What is the best motherboard/cpu combo for around $100?  Should I be looking for something used instead?  I am hearing that the dual core Atoms don't perform particularly well.  Any information is appreciated.

[yotsuya]

Well, it depends on what you want to play. I have a dual-core Atom running all the classics (up through '88) with no issues, myself.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

it would depend on what other hardware you already have... ram? video card? powersupply? as in you literally need a mobo and cpu? that'll be bound by what type of ram you have.

unless you mean you need a full computer system for $100, in which case i'd probably start looking on craigslist for a full PIV system like an old dell.

[ark_ader]

Make a nice small cabinet with this baby in it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121442

[GregD]

I was looking at that one above but when I searched the forum for dual core atoms people didn't seem to have good reviews.   It will be for Mame with maybe a couple of early consoles like Nest and Sega Genesis.   I would be purchasing a video card as well if the inboard graphics don't cut it.   I have a bunch of Celeron machines in small form factor but no expansion is possible on those boards.

[patm95]

I'd look over some of these deals if you have a microcenter nearby...

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

[frotter]

Hi Greg,

I just finished a cocktail cabinet and built it on a budget as well. I am from Australia (all prices are $AU), so don't know if the same products are available where you are but this is what I purchased for my computer to run MAME, act as a Jukebox and everything else the cabinet is used for:

Motherboard: ASUS M4A78LT-M-LE 760G AM3 DDR3 Motherboard - cost $49
CPU: AM3 Sempron LE-145 - cost: $35
RAM: 4GB DDR3 (Transcend brand) - cost $20
Video Card: on-board - cost $0
HDD: Western Digital Blue SATA3 500GB - cost $40
Power Supply Unit: SHAW Elite-680 - $17

Total cost for all computer parts for cabinet (no monitor): $161

I have had no issues playing any of the MAME games so far, but I don't really play many post 1995 games, so no idea if they would run fine or not. I didn't see the point in getting fast anything as all it needed to do was basically run MAME, play MP3 files and I also use it as a movie player (I can tilt the monitor up to watch it like a TV.

Hope that helps.

[GregD]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.  I think I am going with the AMD Phenom II from Microcenter with free motherboard.  Seems like a great deal and should be plenty of power for my build.  Thanks for the link!

[cmarion1024]

I would like to thank you PATM95 for the link,  was pulling the trigger with newegg and stumbled onto this thread.  Saved me $60 (or free MB)!