Mobo with onboard graphics for core 2 duo

[Richard123]

Hi
I am going to build my first PC and intend to use a core 2 6400
I do not play games (apart from online poker!) and so I am looking to buy a board with onboard graphics as I assume this will reduce cost without major performance reduction.
Does anyone have any experience of on board graphics cards?
Could you recommend one?
Or should I be investing extra and buying a graphics card?
What about gigabyte GA81945GMH or for latter MSI 945Plat

Any input gratefully received
Thanks

[rond36]

Hello Richard, and welcome to The PC Guide Forums!

I suggest the GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128018) It has onboard video but also has a PCI-E X16 slot if you choose to add a video card later.

[azzey]

Yeah, as long as you're not into gaming (or any CAD programs, for that matter) then onboard should be good enough. But it is nice to keep your upgrade options clear in case you ever do need to do anything with complex graphics (or you decide to upgrade to Vista).

[Richard123]

Ah ha
Did not think about Vista!

So maybe I would be better going for a non onboard now
although presumably I can add a card later with no problems
Richard

[saphalline]

If you're not into gaming, Vista is not going to be a huge draw for you. Best to wait a good 6-12 months until it's been "tested". And by that time, a whole new generation of vid cards will be available. If you have no need for a vid card right now, I'd just say skip it. Even a mobo like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121048) would be plenty.

Unless you intend on becoming a gamer? :D

[madad2005]

The mobo rond suggested is a good one. The integrated graphics will be enough till you either decide to go vista or gaming. Then you can simply buy yourself a 7600GT and you're happy!

[vernong1992]

I like that gigabyte mobo, but i was wondering what onboard it uses, and if prefer i have a value priced mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157097
its an ASRock 939Dual-VSTA Socket 939 ULi M1695 ATX AMD and has AGP and PCI-e slot so you can settle with our current AGP card and upgrade when you are ready for a DX10 Video Card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157097
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145505
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, DEMCO, NEMCO, SEMCO, FIMCO, CB, FCC, CCC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023

These added items are good if you alrady have the drives and the case.

[rond36]

I like that gigabyte mobo, but i was wondering what onboard it uses, and if prefer i have a value priced mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157097
its an ASRock 939Dual-VSTA Socket 939 ULi M1695 ATX AMD and has AGP and PCI-e slot so you can settle with our current AGP card and upgrade when you are ready for a DX10 Video Card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157097
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145505
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, DEMCO, NEMCO, SEMCO, FIMCO, CB, FCC, CCC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023

These added items are good if you alrady have the drives and the case.

Why would anyone want to build a new PC using obsolete parts and a motherboard that was made to reuse old parts that he doesn't have? The board doesn't even have onboard video.

None of those parts besides the video card and PSU are compatible with the Core 2 Duo E6400 CPU, and it is much faster than the AMD Athlon 64 3700+