Integrated Boards

[astro]

I'm sure this question has been answered plenty times, but I didn't see them. What are your feelings on integrated boards? Seems they are getting more and more on the market.
I see a lot of M598 boards. Would you buy one? If not the 598, would you buy any of them?

[jokostel]

think of it this way,when you want to upgrade you cant....its that simple for me,besides, i tend to like to try to upgrade whenever i possibly can,which means im in it pretty much half the time i use it...
intergrated boards are for people who are afraid to open up the system or are afraid to upgrade something,they are also a problem when a soundcard or video card thats integrated on the motherboard goes bad..... many times you end up buying a new motherboard when you cant disable the bad card ,etc,etc......
thats my basic views on integration mb......

[ENVY]

Buy one?How bout a bonfire?

[This message has been edited by ENVY (edited 07-04-99).]

[Peter M]

Hi!

Those integrated boards are great for the average workhorse. The M598 is even good enough for the occasional (low resolution) 3D game when combined with a K6-2.

The entire M598, including AGP graphics and PCI sound, costs less than the most basic of add-on graphics and sound. That's a point.

Plus there's zero compatibility issues - with the graphics integrated into the chipset, you bet it'll work.

Want to upgrade next year? Well, do the math. Spend $80 on an M598 now, or spend twice that much on an "upgradeable" board and its peripherals. Next year, spend $80 again for an entirely up-to-date new all-in-one mainboard, or spend more for an upgrade to your then outdated mainboard ... (Can you say PC-133? AGP4x?)

Regards, Peter

[astro]

I appreciate your answers. I'm sure their are pro's and con's either way, but I kinda agree with you Peter. Heck, you can replace the entire board for nearly the cost of a fair video or sound card if there is a problem.

[MadMax]

Hate 'em. If one component fails, you've got to replace the entire board. If you have a software compatibility issue, you can't replace the part with alternate hardware to get your app working. Most have mediocre periphs, so high performance is usually not an option.

They offer good price and ease of setup. Not enough positives for me to use them.

[BobG]

buy only if you don't want to UG in the future. Buy one that allows you to disable the internal video (sound, etc) stick with name brands, intel pref.
Intel PII/III board AGP video $125.00 Canadian Money
Try it !! you might like it

[Ygor]

Back before anyone thought PCs would appeal to anyone... there was a console tv built with a stereo too. Big piece of furniture with a tv screen in the middle and real popular with some. Some even came with 8-tracks!

Same problems as discussed above. Anyone remember them?

A bonfire would work, but what about the ozone layer?

[Ziz]

It's all relative to what you're gonna use it for. I have a Systemax Micro PC (integrated style board, don't know brand or model) for when I just want to browse message boards like this or do text-based work. My custom built, fully upgradeable system is for gaming. It's like having your "work car" for getting to and from your job, running errands and such and having your "good car" for when you go out with your girlfriend or family.

If you're planning on this being a "pedestrian" machine, get the integrated board. If you're trying to make the Ultimate Computer, get a standard board with seperate video/sound/etc.

[G_MAN]

here's what it boils down to....do you like to take your computer apart and mess around with it? if yes, then get a non-intergrated board. if no, go for the intergrated board and you'll be peachy.

i'm sure all the people who are telling you not to get the intergrated board take their computer case's cover off frequently. i know i do at least every couple weeks if not more often.

so i guess it's time for my personal opinion. the first computer i bought had an intergrated MB and when i went to change out the sound card i couldn't and it pissed me off so ever since then i have always bought a "standard" MB

[MadMax]

G_MAN~I only perform regular surgery on my personal sys. The 60 plus comps that I maintain at work are only cracked open at upgrade time or after a hardware failure. Since sys maint is an additional duty I have, not my primary job, I don't have time to do a complete overhaul everytime one periph dies. I like to "Get in, Get out, quit mucking about" and get the sys back up quickly.

Mighty difficult to do with a mainboard swap. Also, I don't have much time to research new periphs, so I like to migrate known good cards into upgraded boxes until they are absolutely obsolete. Also tough to do with integrated periphs.

Just my 2cents. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[astro]

I appreciate the opinion of all of you. These boards are great, aren't they?

[TXBowen]

I agree with G_MAN. If you are a Internet surfer who uses office tools, maybe plays games occasionally, then integrated is fine. I have dealt with about 10 of these boards in the last 2 years where there was a problem. Only 2 of the cases involved bad sound chips, the others were due to gamers wanting better graphics. Voodoo cards will not run with the integrated video, at least from my experience. As long as you can disable the sound and video, and you still have enough PCI slots, I think the integrated boards are fine.

[magk9]

Integrated boards are not upgradeable?? Disable the video and sound, then install any PCI video, and sound card. The best of both worlds!! Go for it!! I love 'em!!

[MadMax]

This board is awesome! Look at this thread. No arguements, no slamming. Lots of disagreement with no bad vibes. Truly a great forum. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[800XL]

I've never been too fond of integrated video, as it usually some outdated or low end video chipset, but onboard sound I tend to like. It gets rid of one card and its something I don't generally go for in an upgrade. Up until last month I was still running a Soundblaster 16 SCSI 2 in my main system. In many cases, onboard stuff has its advantages. For your average workstation or websurfer, drop in a NIC or modem, and you're done. Quick to build for less overall money. Odds are you will be able to disable the onboard hardware if you upgrade later. Sometimes video can be a little bit of a pain, but not too bad. If you do upgrade to a hoopy new 3d card, you can also play with dual monitors without sucking up a PCI slot... unless the onboard will not let the card be primary, which happens.

Overall, I steer away from onboard video, but onboard sound I have no qualms with. Onboard modems, NICs, and so forth I sit sorta in between on. I haven't used a modem in years, and NICs I sorta like to be portable between PCs.

[nimrod]

would not even consider one but in a year?who knows what can happen