ASUS T3-M2NC51PV AMD Socket AM2 Barebone
When looking for a replacement for my aging workstation at home, I had a number of criteria:
- Affordable. I didn't want the cheapest solution nor would the budget support anything extravagant. That implied on-board video.
- Nvidia GPU. Of the many video systems I have used over the past few years, Nvidia has become a favorite. Intel was always so-so, ATI was interesting but drivers were sometimes a nightmare, VIA never quite made the grade.
- SATA II. 300MB transfer rates matches the performance of all but the fastest SCSI systems and outperforms ATA significantly.
- DDR2 800 memory. Memory is cheap, why not at least a GB of the fastest memory around
- Gigabit Ethernet. My Windows server has Gigabit Ethernet. If I drop in a Gigabit switch at least transfers between those two boxes will be fast.
- Dual core CPU. My CPU processing needs aren't that high but I want the option of dropping a fast dual core as the prices drop.
- Ubuntu Linux compatibility. I can't afford to be chasing the gremlins that Windows attracts.
This box met all the needs but at the last moment I noticed an open box special on its slightly cheaper V2-AH2. I couldn't resist the chance to save $50 for equivalent power.
I stuffed the following in the box:
- AMD AM2 3200 (cheap - $55)
- Seagate 120GB SATA II hard drive (also cheap $70)
- GB DDR2 generic memory ($100)
- NEC 16x DVDRW ($40)
Assembly was easy, the board and front cables were already installed. Ubuntu 6.10 installed with only minor wrinkles - I had to manually configure my agind LCD monitor.
It screams. The performance that is. The box is so quiet I never notice it is running. The case is somewhat bland but I look at the screen and not the case and the top if flat and holds a telephone, earphones and a couple of books.
I recommend this box to those who want a fast, functional, expandable and quiet workstation. People who are not all thumbs should be able to put it together. The documentation is sparse but it will help you through assembly (but no further).
