It has been nearly 2 years since this was posted but, I have to reference this thread because, it features so much useful information:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1223968/best-am3-or-am3-matx-motherboard
I have similar needs to the OP for this thread in that I need the mATX too.
Strictly speaking, I need two new(er) pc's. One for a moderate HPTC (no 3d/4k TV/Blu-Ray/gaming - only need streaming, DVR/PVR and stripping commercials from anything on network TV we chose to record). In turn, I should use low TDP to meet this need and this is where the Sempron 145 comes into play. Obviously, I can do better than 45W but, the majority of the affordable embedded solutions in mITX do not feature cpu sockets (note the R-series APU looks very good to me but, cost begins climb w/these systems). The second pc needs to be a desktop small tower (i.e., hence the desire for the FX-series but, I do not know that I need to pursue the 125W cpu's - some ASUS mATX motherboards make a distinction between FX-series cpu TDP levels.). I'm using AMD because, of value and, I cannot afford most of Intel's offerings. I'm even looking at used hardware because, this is fine if the hardware is sound. At least it can be fine if seller's are honest...
One option I have found that appears to be good is a used Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 but, Gigabyte tells me this mATX does not support core unlocking. As you have guessed the owner tells me it does via the EasyTune BIOS. The ASUS boards the moderator referred the OP to remain readily available and appear to be quite good but, I have no experience with the. I cannot recall if AS Rock offers something useful with this feature set.
As with the referenced thread from 3/2012 I need to ask if anyone can refer me to sound mATX motherboards. However, this thread aslo informed me I need to take some additional issues into consideration to unlock core and overclock so, I would appreciate references for specific boards as well if you can make them.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1223968/best-am3-or-am3-matx-motherboard
I have similar needs to the OP for this thread in that I need the mATX too.
Strictly speaking, I need two new(er) pc's. One for a moderate HPTC (no 3d/4k TV/Blu-Ray/gaming - only need streaming, DVR/PVR and stripping commercials from anything on network TV we chose to record). In turn, I should use low TDP to meet this need and this is where the Sempron 145 comes into play. Obviously, I can do better than 45W but, the majority of the affordable embedded solutions in mITX do not feature cpu sockets (note the R-series APU looks very good to me but, cost begins climb w/these systems). The second pc needs to be a desktop small tower (i.e., hence the desire for the FX-series but, I do not know that I need to pursue the 125W cpu's - some ASUS mATX motherboards make a distinction between FX-series cpu TDP levels.). I'm using AMD because, of value and, I cannot afford most of Intel's offerings. I'm even looking at used hardware because, this is fine if the hardware is sound. At least it can be fine if seller's are honest...
One option I have found that appears to be good is a used Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 but, Gigabyte tells me this mATX does not support core unlocking. As you have guessed the owner tells me it does via the EasyTune BIOS. The ASUS boards the moderator referred the OP to remain readily available and appear to be quite good but, I have no experience with the. I cannot recall if AS Rock offers something useful with this feature set.
As with the referenced thread from 3/2012 I need to ask if anyone can refer me to sound mATX motherboards. However, this thread aslo informed me I need to take some additional issues into consideration to unlock core and overclock so, I would appreciate references for specific boards as well if you can make them.