Wife's new comp

[Fulmar]

So I have all the other components set aside for this upcoming build.  And working with my budget, I've allotted ~$150 for a motherboard and CPU (pretty strict on this so no $175 or $200 setups).  Also a couple notes:
- OS is XP Pro 32bit
- Must use DDR2 (reusing spare stuff I have to keep within budget)
- Must have integrated graphics with HDMI, preferably Radeon 4200 or Geforce 8xxx chipset
- No off brands (i.e. Jetway etc)
- Major uses: Facebook, light gaming, streaming netflix, future blu-ray playback

Currently I have selected:
ASRock A785GMH/128M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157177
$69.99

&

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX435WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
$74.99

Open to any input....

[gyrene81]

Hey Fulmar, that's a micro atx mobo, you puttin that in a small case?

If you can manage a board like this, I know someone who can get you a slightly used XFX 9500GT 512MB DDR3 PCIx 2.0 for a small fee.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131618

I'm logging off for the night, I'll check this thread in the a.m.

[Fulmar]

Yeah, she wants something small to hide under the desk so its gotta be Micro ATX.  I'm not worried about a graphics card as of right now.  I'm gonna see how the onboard video handles for what she's gonna do.  Otherwise I'll probably stick in a 4650 in it.

[Fulmar]

N/m

[gyrene81]

That's cool Fulmar...I just happened to have that 9500GT (doesn't run AH very well on my system) figured I would offer it to you for your project.

I'm guessing that video chip is going to pull some of your system memory allocation for its use...but if you're not playing AH on it, won't make a difference.

[Fulmar]

Yeah, I have 4gb of DDR2 for this computer.  I looked at a number of options and I think this is the best bang for the buck.  Newegg did have a Dual core Callisto and a nearly identical Asus board on a combo deal for about the same price.  I checked the benchmarks for both CPUs and they go back and forth.

This will actually be my first 'new' AMD build.  I've bought Intel for myself every time over the last 10 years.

[BaldEagl]

I've read great things about the newer AMD onboard graphics chips.  I wouldn't want to game on one but for what your wifes going to use if for it should work fine.  If I built an HTPC I'd probably go that route.