AMD FM1 Build

[yanbros]

Hi folks,

i'll be embarking on on FM1 AMD build in March. I don't see many AMD builds nowadays, anyways, i will be building this rig for my mum. She mostly uses it for email, word processing, internet browsing, videos. No gaming or anything that requires high end graphics. This will be what i'm planning. Please give your views.

AMD FM1 3850
Asus F1A75M-LE
Ram - suggestions please?
Corsiar CX430M
Adata SP900 128GB SATA3 SSD
Monitor - suggestions please?
Thermaltake S3 M-ATX Case

Please provide some suggestions for RAM and monitor. Or anything i should take note of. Thanks.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Why not go for miniature PC? Zotac ID18 Plus (full system version) @ $299 will already suffice her needs well.

 

[halnala]

Having been building AMD mostly for the past few years, I would advise you to have a backup build or 2 since FM1 is really old so SLS may not even have stocks. On top of that, warranty for the motherboards could be worthless since the manufacturers may not have anything for you to RMA.

 

[yanbros]

Seems like all negative replies. Haha..

 

[dreadknight]

Seems like all negative replies. Haha..

coz current tech is cheaper (due to amount of stock) and easier to maintain

and considering the usage... most NUC/SFF is suitable while keeping a small foot print...which is a plus point (my mom harps about my case size )

and i'm sure a home LCD/LED tv is best appropriated for such uses... so no need to spend extra

 

[morgankell]

i was using 3 fm1 systems. sold one off recently but honestly I did not have much issues with any of them

most fm1 mb are gone from the market. asus probably the last few left.
unless u already have the a8-3850 I would suggest to consider newer platforms

but if you have the A8 or can get it cheap, given your mother's purposes. I would suggest
a) just any 2x2 gb ddr3 1600 would do.
b) please note yr mb has only dvi and d-sub. so just get the cheapest led 18.5 inch monitor (dont need hdmi)
c) u can also unvolt the a8 -3850 by at least 0.15 - 0.2V.

honestly, moneyface's recommendation is a good idea. or u can consider the cheapest celeron/ pentium h81 bundle

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi folks,

i'll be embarking on on FM1 AMD build in March. I don't see many AMD builds nowadays, anyways, i will be building this rig for my mum. She mostly uses it for email, word processing, internet browsing, videos. No gaming or anything that requires high end graphics. This will be what i'm planning. Please give your views.

AMD FM1 3850
Asus F1A75M-LE
Ram - suggestions please?
Corsiar CX430M
Adata SP900 128GB SATA3 SSD
Monitor - suggestions please?
Thermaltake S3 M-ATX Case

Please provide some suggestions for RAM and monitor. Or anything i should take note of. Thanks.

Seems like all negative replies. Haha..

AMD APUs are primarily targeted at casual users doing light gaming with their strong iGPU, which is already the wrong direction to approach since you mum does not game at all. She will be wasting the precious graphics available from this highest-end model. A FM2+ platform approach with an A4 APU choice would have been making more logical sense for her even if you endeavour on an AMD setup. I would actually wish if you could share more of your rationale for going with an obsolete, discontinued FM1 platform in the first place.

Nevertheless, this is why a CULV Intel setups been recommended:

1. She will totally waste the graphics prowess of the high end iGPU from APU since she doesn't game. (as covered above)

2. She does not need quad core. Dual core will already suffice (provided the cores are adequately strong)

3. AMD APU's CPU cores are noticeably slower than Intel counterparts.

4. AMD APUs also consume noticeably more power even when they are still performing slower. For both CPU and iGPU.

5. AMD APUs' iGPU consume more power when watching common H.264 encoded HD clips.

6. Since she doesn't game and only does basic tasks, higher resource ratio should be placed on CPU rather than GPU. i.e. Powerful CPU + Weaker GPU

7. Intel CULV pre-built systems are much more compact, energy-saving, quieter-running.

8. Poor RMA support for obsolete platform.

Thus, an affordable Intel CULV miniature build with a fast enough, much more energy-efficient dual core and basic IGP with low power consumption on video playback makes it much more prudent than any of the mainstream setup available to you right now. Even mainstream desktop Intel Pentium build will be overkill. Obsolete platforms (even if they are still around) are no longer valid as choice.

Athlon 5350 and Sempron 3850 Processors (Kabini) and Socket AM1 Platform Review. Four Cores for Less. Page 9 - X-bit labs

 

[yanbros]

Frankly speaking, I was looking to build an Am1 rig but I don't think the parts are available from SLS? I could be wrong though. Since Am1 not available here, the other healer option would be the Fm1. I could take a look at the Intel CULV. See what setups they offer .

 

[yanbros]

I was looking up Intel CULV and only found Zotec mini pc and some other notebooks and netbooks. Are Zotecs worth the money?

 

[mib500]

I was looking up Intel CULV and only found Zotec mini pc and some other notebooks and netbooks. Are Zotecs worth the money?

yup its worth the money... refer to the spec that your mom required... it should be okay....