Asus nForce3 939 board?

[Speedo]

I find it a bit strange that there are so few choices for Socket 939 nForce3 mobos.

I currently have an Asus A7N8X deluxe which has worked very well. I have tried different motherboard brands and VIA in the past, but I really want to go Asus and nforce in my next setup. My idea was to get the 90nm 3000+, but the problem is I have my 9800XT which I'm really satisfied with and I really cant justify a GFX card upgrade as well.

So, what I would really like is an Asus S939 board with the nForce3 chipset, so I could keep my AGP card. I guess it would have been out by now, if there would ever be one...

My choice seems to be limited to either go with VIA (which doesn't feel right, even if their latest chipsets really seem to be doing well), another motherboard brand like MSI (too many reports with problems for my taste) or throw away my 9800XT and get an PCIe card (which doesn't make sense to me right now).

Anyone out there in the same situation?

 

[gobucks]

Eh, I think most of the mobo makers kinda skipped out this round in favor of the PCIe chipsets that are about to hit. I'm sure after those are established, if there is still substantial demand for AGP mobos, then maybe there will be some new choices. In fact, I'd wager that a lot of nForce4 features like SATA-II and ActiveArmor will trickle down to a refresh of the nforce3.

As for your options, you could always sell your 9800XT on ebay or to a friend (I'm sure you could get at least $200-250), and use it to buy a 6600GT ($180 on pricewatch). That's faster than a 9800XT anyways. Then, get an Asus nForce4 Ultra (should be out next week).

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

I would do what gobucks suggested: replace the video card. The biggest problem with getting an nForce3 board is that you'll probably want to upgrade your video card in the future and that will likely happen before you upgrade your processor, and the GeForce 7xxx and Radeon 11xxx are probably only going to be released in PCI-E.

 

[kogase]

ChineseDemocracyGNR, but think about this. Now that the new generation of cards are out (Xx00, 6x00) the new "hot" midrange card is the 9800 Pro, or last generation's high end. I'd wager that when the new line of GPUs comes out, people will be snatching up *native* AGP 6800 GTs and the like at big discounts. That will be a substantial upgrade to his 9800XT. I love being right.

 

[gobucks]

Sure, you will be able to pick up a 6800GT for $200 (maybe), but don't forget that the best sub-$200 card is no longer the 9800 Pro. The 6600GT can beat the 9800 Pro pretty handily, in fact it can even beat the 9800XT, so while the 6800GT might be a good AGP upgrade, if nvidia can continue the trend of great midrange offerings with their next generation, then I'd wager that there will be a better sub-$200 card than the 6800GT.

 

[kogase]

A valid point, but a big if. Not only that, but I don't think either company is gonna go straight PCI-E anytime soon. They'd be blocking out a whole lot of consumers. Stuff probably won't be all PCI-E for a few years, even at this point.

 

[Speedo]

Thanks guys for your suggestion and ideas. I agree with what most of you say, that the best thing is probably to sell my 9800XT (actually a modded pro). I checked the prices here in sweden, and I was surprised to find that the prices are exactly the same as when I bought it this summer.

So my plan right now is to wait until the nForce4 offering from Asus and the 90nm 3000+ is available here in Sweden, and then see if I can get a good deal on selling my ATI card. Then go for the 6600GT.