939 plunge

[imported_Zeke]

I decided I want to get me one of those shiney new 90nm 64's to replace my old athlon 2100, and I am looking for suggestions on mobos, maybe new memory, and in particular how much longer I am going to be able to get new video cards in agp format..cause I dont want to buy a new card now my 9800 pro is chugging along just fine

 

[jpeyton]

The market for high-end AGP video cards will exist at least through 2005. After that, expect the market to slowly phase out AGP in the high-end (and eventually middle-end) segments much like the phase-out of PCI video cards.

If you want a good 939 board under $150, I'd go with either the EpoX 9NDA3+ or the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. Both got great reviews on Anandtech, and both are great overclocking motherboards.

I would go with the EpoX, just people there seems to be so much polarity about how good the MSI board is; the EpoX seems to get favorable user reviews from most people. However, there are much fewer reviews overall for the EpoX, so that may be the reason (the MSI is quite popular; lots of reviews to peruse on Newegg and in forums).

Gigabyte also makes a 939 NF3 Ultra motherboard, but it goes for $200...ouch.

Some people like 939 boards based on VIA's K8T800PRO chipset, but in pro reviews they are consistently outclocked in their max FSB by NF3 based boards.

 

[imported_Zeke]

how does the Asus k8n-e compare? I have used a couple of their boards and I love them.....
oops thats a 754

 

[jpeyton]

I believe that is a S754 board.

 

[imported_Zeke]

agreed

 

[ApacheChief]

That's a socket 754 board, isn't it?

I'm getting the ASUS A8V, seems to be rated very well..

 

[KoolDrew]

I suggest a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum and a 3000+ 90nm CPU. That would be great for overclocking. I would suggest waiting for maybe a PCI-E AMD mobo if you want to upgrade

 

[imported_Zeke]

well as I said, agp support is sort of a deal breaker....

 

[ts3433]

I haven't heard much about the 939 boards, but anything with the NF3 seems fine (the MSI, the Epox, etc.). Get the 90nm 3000+, since 2.5 GHz is easy on all three new Winchesters.

 

[imported_Zeke]

yep getting the 3000+ no question

 

[Zebo]

Ya Zeke this is my problem too, motherboard. They all have issues but running stock or just a mild Overclock I'd get the Asus AV8. No real issues except High FSB. The MSI has Sata and USB issues and quality is suspect. The Abit AV8 will not recognise your chip w/o a flash which is difficult. The Epox only has two phase power and is cheap all the way around.

 

[Zebo]

Here's some excellent memory cheap which uses mosel chips and will ht 220+ mhz at 2-2-2

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-220-006&depa=1

 

[imported_Zeke]

hmm at this point I'm pondering buying a 754......

 

[imported_Zeke]

thats some sexy sexy ram

 

[imported_Zeke]

ok I'm too lazy to research right now, what are advantages of nforce 3 as compared to via?