Advice Needed ...

[Aldraxis]

I realize there are some highly technical aspects of Motherboards ... but I don't understand a lot of that stuff unfortunately. So please keep things simple for me

I'm building a new computer ... a value gamer system I guess would be the best description ...

This is what I'm looking to have -

AMD64 3200+ 939 90nm
Corsair 512Mb Value Select Cas2.5 x 2
Samsung 160Gb SATA 7200rpm 8Mb HD x 2
SB Audigy 2
Floppy Drive

DVD- +R/W < ---- Haven't chosen one.
DVD- ROM <---- Haven't chosen one.
128Mb AGP 8x Video Card <---- Haven't chosen one.
Wireless Network Card <---- Haven't chosen one.
Wireless Mouse and Keyboard < ---- Haven't chosen one.
Already have my Monitor

Now I'm looking at 3 Motherboards ... and I'm not knowledgeable enough to know which one might be better for me. If they are basically the same, I'll go on lowest reputable price I can find.

ASUS A8V Deluxe
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
Soltek K8T Pro 939

1. Are there any other boards I should be considering?
2. Are there any reasons to choose one of these boards over the other two?
3. Are there any reliability issues or configurations issues with any of these boards that would conflict with my intended system?

Any help or suggestions that anyone can provide will be very much appreciated.

Note #1 - I don't really intend to overclock ... mainly because I don't know how. But I really don't need it, since I'm not a "serious" gamer. Just a "casual" gamer.
Note #2 - Unfortunately, I don't think I can wait for an AMD64 PCIe board ... since I think my desktop is in it's final few days of life.

 

[Aldraxis]

Not enough information given ... or too much?

 

[Sapiens]

AnandTech has posted a very nice Socket 939 roundup at http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2128 -- the Soltek board is covered at http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2257 and has comparisons with the other boards you listed. The MSI K8N Neo2 seems to be the cream of the crop.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Should get that shuttle based on the nf3 socket 939.

 

[Xatrix]

Are you planning on overclocking? Using stock heatsink?

 

[Aldraxis]

Overclocking - No
Haven't made up my mind on what cooling options I would be using, but I was going to try and have as much as I could possibly have without spending a ton. Probably a nicer fan ... and anything else that will help.

 

[Aldraxis]

Originally posted by: Sapiens
AnandTech has posted a very nice Socket 939 roundup at http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2128 -- the Soltek board is covered at http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2257 and has comparisons with the other boards you listed. The MSI K8N Neo2 seems to be the cream of the crop.

I know ... and after reading through those, these three boards all seemed good.

 

[Xatrix]

Im going with the asus board personally... but thats because it was only 1 of 2 boards that is compatible with my heatsink.

Also some of the boards have bugs... so ... yeah.

 

[Schnook121]

i went with the Asus - it seems to have the fewest problems. I can't say what mine is like tho - I recieve my RAM tomorrow. Lots of people seem to be having trouble with the MSI - it seems to be hit or miss. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. I haven't heard anything aside from the anandtech review on the soltek. I was also considering the Epox peard and the abit board as otehr options.
My vote would be asus tho.

 

[Xatrix]

If it helps you any ... what I did to decide which 939 to use I just did a search here on the forums for all the boards... and then read EVERYTHING that was posted about those boards... I know its a lot of work but it helps you make an informed decision.

 

[Aldraxis]

Originally posted by: Xatrix
If it helps you any ... what I did to decide which 939 to use I just did a search here on the forums for all the boards... and then read EVERYTHING that was posted about those boards... I know its a lot of work but it helps you make an informed decision.

Unfortunately, I don't understand half of what they are talking about in these reviews.

I'm working on getting back in the flow of Computer Hardware ... it's been a few years ... but it's slow going and there's alot more stuff to cover now.

 

[Xatrix]

Yup I was in the same boat as you bro!

I basically spent the past 2 weeks reading reviews, asking questions, and reading forums... My eyes hurt and my brain is smoking out my ears, but I think I'm gonna have a great system. *crosses fingers*

 

[Aldraxis]

Originally posted by: Xatrix
Yup I was in the same boat as you bro!

I basically spent the past 2 weeks reading reviews, asking questions, and reading forums... My eyes hurt and my brain is smoking out my ears, but I think I'm gonna have a great system. *crosses fingers*

/goes to compare what I've got so far with Xatrix's new system.

 

[raildogg]

either the asus a8v or the msi neo2

i would get the msi

 

[Aldraxis]

Thanks for the advice and help everyone. (Thanks AP )

 

[William23]

Originally posted by: raildogg
either the asus a8v or the msi neo2

i would get the msi

those are both awesome for socket939:thumbsup:

 

[Subhuman25]

My personal choice was the MSI K8N Neo2.I must have gotten a lucky card during the draw since I've had zero problems with it.Then again I don't overclock,although I have all the HW to be able to.
My system is listed below.Other than that I added a Zalman 7000a AlCu HSF using Arctic Silver5 thermal paste and replaced the stock eVGA 6800GT cooling solution with an Arctic Cooling NV Silencer5 also using AS5.
All in all I'm very happy with my HW.Installed like a snap and has been running flawlessly since.
A note of advise is to comb through the threads and find out what settings are particular to each MB.
i.e. for the MSI K8N Neo2 you want fastwrites off in bios with GF6 series video cards.If not raiding your drives then install the drives on SATA #3 or #4 instead of #1 or #2.Disable all ports not used.I disabled serial,parallel ports since I don't use 'em - free's up resources (IRQ's etc)
Some memory needs to be manually timed in bios instead of auto SPD.My Corsair XMS3200XLPT runs flawless @ DDR400(dual channel mode) 2-2-5-2-1T timings.
Also I use the "communictions direct" PCI slot for my SB Audigy2zs.Supposedly better response that way instead of just using any 'ole slot,although it functioned fine in the next to bottom slot as well.Not sure if there was a difference either way.
I've seen many threads on here and elsewhere trashing the MSI K8N Neo2 and I do understand their QC is less than stellar by a longshot,but like I've said,I've had zero problems (sofar)So I do recommed this MB from personal experience for a simliar set-up as mine.It's a very successful combination of components and should serve as a good template for anybody considering a socket 939 AMD 64 system not interested in overclocking,although I think I'd be able to overclock without any problems if I wanted to.
I'm very happy with the stock performance as it is.And I'm assured good performance given that my chosen components afford me performance overhead.
If anybody chooses to follow my template and copy my system and needs a helping hand installing or figuring out any glitches,should they occur,I'll extend an offer to help as needed.