ABIT Motherboard Choices?

[Arrogance]

Hey guys-- this is my first time in the Hardware forum here at Anandtech.. Looking for some wise advice.

I had an old Abit (Pentium 3) motherboard which had the infamous capacitor problem and was RMA'd back to Abit-- they no longer have my board in stock to replace-- but have offered a list of 8 motherboards for me to pick from which can be sent as a free upgrade.

I am not familiar enough with recent processor/chipset developments to pick the best bang for my free buck... I think average prices on pricegrabber.com aren't the best way to decide.

1) NF7-S2G, nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset, Socket A
2) VA-20, KM400A chipset, Socket A
3) IS7-E2, Intel 865PE chipset, Socket 478
4) SG-72, SIS 661FX chipset, Socket 478
5) KV8-PRO, VIA K8T800 Pro performance chipset, Socket 754
6) NF8-V, nForce3 250Gb chipset, Socket 754
7) AG8, Intel 915P performance chipset, LGA 775
8) AV8, VIA K8T800 Pro/VT8237 performance chipsets, Socket 939

Any thoughts? It seems the AG8 may be the newest/highest performing board (?) I would like to try to balance high performance and cost of overall system.

Are there any other boards that ABIT has that I should try to request?

-A

 

[furballi]

AV8 with an AMD 64 3000 CPU for $146. Add 1GB of Corsair Value RAM ($80) and you have a very nice up-to-date system. Oh yes, you can easily overclock the CPU to about 3500 speed.

This is a huge performance boost from the P3.

 

[twitchee2]

#8 if you have the money to upgrade your system

otherwise choose the board that your CPU goes with

 

[furballi]

Don't believe the other boards with work with a P3.

 

[nick1985]

option 8. get yourself an athlon 64. :thumbsup:

 

[n7]

That's a damn nice little upgrade.

Go for the AV8 (even though i hate VIA chipsets) if you can afford to build a s939 A64 system.

 

[leigh6]

I am using the AV8 now. I really like it!!!! Cash in your chips and get an Athlon 64.

 

[A I]

Definately number 8, pop in a 3000-3200+ and have some fun 🙂

 

[Texun]

I'm happy with my AV8 now. It was buggy at first but found out it needed a better PS that what I was using. After getting an OCZ 450 is has been perfect.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

AV8 yo, AV8.

 

[Arrogance]

Great-- having 8 unanimous replies makes it easy. Thanks fellas! I'm sure I'll be stopping in a bit more often as I start putting the system together..

-A

 

[So]

Yup. Sounds like you're all set, but if you need another voice of agreement, Definitely option #8.

 

[Juno]

get #8, then buy 3200+ with venice core and 6600gt or 6800gt pci-e video card then you'll be happy after putting those parts together.

pentium 3 is quite old and outdated. i believe you better need a fresh start.

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: Arrogance

Are there any other boards that ABIT has that I should try to request?

-A

AN8, Socket 939 (but, requires a PCI-e video card)
Note: the AV8, Socket 939, has an AGP video card slot.