Conclusion: Sufficient Performance in Special Cases
In the end, we can say that this board is only suited to a few specific scenarios. Compared to current desktop systems, our Celeron-based mini-PC looks and feels underpowered. In part this is due to the chipset, whose single-channel memory interface makes it a bottleneck.
Therefore, the system is only a good choice for applications that don’t require a large amount of processing power. For example, you could use it as a DIY Internet router or as a replacement for your old mechanical typewriter. Alternatively, it makes a decent control box and wouldn’t do badly as a car PC.
We can’t really say that the board’s power consumption was especially low—an AMD 780G board paired with a Sempron processor draws even less power when idle. On top of that, the AMD system offers markedly better performance and can even decode HD video content thanks to its 780G chipset graphics.
All things considered, the only real argument in favor of this board is its affordable price. After all, you’re getting a motherboard with integrated graphics and a CPU for around $80. However, in our opinion you should only spend the money if you really need such a small board and won’t be running any CPU-heavy applications. If flexibility and expandability are on your list, you’re better off looking for an affordable micro-ATX board.
Latest Build Your Own News
Latest Build Your Own reviews
- 23/12 – System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: System Value Compared
- 21/12 – System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: $600 Gaming PC
- 20/12 – System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: $1200 Enthusiast PC
- 19/12 – System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: $2400 Performance PC
- 14/12 – Power Supply 101: A Reference Of Specifications

Good article... But dollars... Really?
Think I'll just follow most readers and just concentrate reading the US site of Tom's from now on.
I agree. This is a good article............but............
I cannot source this board in the UK (all are saying out of stock). Also, why bother to have a UK site when most articles relate to USA, ie dollars.
It is much better to just log in to the USA site
Wouldn't the Intel Little Falls (M-ITX) board with the Atom processor be a better choice? Same price (if not even lower?) and uses less power?
Ditch the serial & parallel ports, give me a gbit network card and I'm sold! Oh and like other people say, prices in £ ffs
I'm forever being asked to build fast computers, and this proves once again that unless you actually use that power (and wisely), you're not going to see a huge difference. Intel..AMD..doesn't matter; you just don't need to spend a fortune these days and both platforms offer great power thermal envelopes.
..if only AMD would market these features more.
One thing does stand out: no 'C1E Speedstep' support..you'd have thought with a system like this, that such a feature would be standard. Guess it's just an easy way of getting rid of old S-479 gear.