Athlon 64 motherboard advice needed

[tazdrummer]

I recently came across a decent amount of money and it went straight to the computer upgrade fund and it seemed like a good time to make the leap to 64 bit.

What motherboard would anyone suggest?

Requirements
1) I want to stick with AGP since I got a Radeon 9800 Pro not too long ago and I want to pass it to my son's computer instead of selling it.

2) I think I would like to go with Socket 939.

3) I would like to stick with Nvidia chipset (unless someone can convince me VIA is better)

I am leaning towards the MSI Neo2 Platinum with strong leanings toward the DFI LAN Party board with Socket 939 and AGP (but it isn't even out yet, and if it was, this wouldn't be an issue.)

I hear in one forum a guy who works at a computer store says "MSI is nothing but trouble and their boards die in no time flat" but I built one system for my wifes friend that is over a year old and there hasn't been a bad word against it.

Personally I like to get many opinions from many differant boards then go from there.

 

[McArra]

I vote K8N neo 2

 

[tazdrummer]

So I take it it is working pretty good for you? How is the sound on it?

It seems like I am seeing about 50/50 hit or miss when I do searches regarding this board.

 

[gobucks]

if you're gonna pass on the 9800 Pro, why not just do it now and buy a PCIe 6600GT? They're only $180 and they are a fair amount faster in most newer games. If so, there are plenty of affordable nforce4 Ultras out there - Chaintech, ECS, Foxconn all have $120 boards out, and for $150 you can get the higher end DFI and MSI boards.

 

[tazdrummer]

I got about $300 to play with.

If I get a PCI-e card, I am going to want to use it right away and with the remainder of what I have, that won't be happening.

To me it seems best to stick with the 9800 Pro.

 

[gamerj]

Well, i have the Asus A8v deluxe mobo which is AGP

The VIA chipset is a good chipset, but there seems to be some sort of FSB limit > above FSB 250 it gets unstable...

Well that was the downside..plus side : many many options to play with..u can set just about anything

About what that dude said to you...Indeed there were many problems with some MSI mobo's, but if im correct they are solved, as for the board you are considering, i doubt u that is a bad decission...

Read reviews on site's like this..gather much info before buying

 

[McArra]

It works pretty good for me and OCs very well. I haven't tested the sound since an Audigy 2.

 

[tazdrummer]

At first I was probably going to stick with onboard sound for a while. That way to give the opportunity to get more parts.

 

[tazdrummer]

Originally posted by: gamerjRead reviews on site's like this..gather much info before buying

That is always the plan.

That is what I did when I bought this DFI LAN Party board. It has been running solid for a while. I originally wanted to get it because it would look cool in a windowed case but I found out many many people were liking it before I drop the money for it.

Have not regretted it yet.

 

[PascalT]

we really need a sticky that explains all of the nf4boards in details, cuz i see this question asked 30x a day.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

If you want AGP and S939, then why not consider the Foxconn SiS 755FX board? It has a LOT of excellent reviews and is extremely fast and totally ultra rock stable (even AnandTech reviewed it and liked it). Another good one for AGP is the Soltek K8TPro-939 K8T800 mobo--it is similarly very fast and highly stable and has a good price. Both are available at NewEgg. For nForce3 Ultra S939, the EPoX 9NDA3J is a great one, too.

 

[ShadowBlade]

go with any gigabyte board

 

[tazdrummer]

Possible... but I ain't too sure about a company that tries helping spread the Norton plague.