Best bang for the buck mobo for 2.8C?

[QuackQuack]

Hi guys,

I've been out of the hardware loop for a looong time now. I'm putting togething a 2.8C box for my friend (he wants HT) and have a question on the mobo. I want to get the Asus P4C800-E but I think it's overkill for him. Any recommendations on a solid (and cheap) mobo that runs 800mhz HT cpus?

Thanks

 

[acemcmac]

IC7 or IC7G, depending on if you can justify the extra $ for the 3rd and 4th SATA and the Gigabit on NB.

 

[RussianSensation]

Abit IS7 as it even comes with onboard Lan in contrast to the IC7; and costs less. If he isn't going to use firewire or SATA RAID (it still does have normal SATA headers just not RAID 0/1) then go with ABIT IS7-E. It overclocks to about 270FSB which is more than enough for the 2.8C.

Abit IS7-E $80.50
Abit IS7 - this one has SATA RAID 0/1 and Firewire - $92

But for either IS7 make sure you get a version with THIS Northbridge as the other one fails so ask that it has an aluminum fin based rising northbridge instead of the circle-flat plastic shaped one.

The cheapest IC7 is $112.97 (with shipping) and you have to get a $10 10/100 lan card so that is $120 or about $30-40 more than the IS7 version which is just as good.

IC7 is better for overclocking and it has PAT enabled, but when you enable turbo mode on the IS7 it is just as fast, and you wont need to go past 270 FSB i am sure.

Another great alternative could also be Asus P4S800D for $77. This even has the SATA RAID 0/1 but lacks firewire and will happily overclock to 260FSB+. You can read the review of it Here and check out its overclocking abilities (make sure to download the latest BIOS if you choose to buy this especially).

 

[Tates]

I'm a bit biased on this one. I recommend an Abit AI7.

The AI7 is an improved IS7 with more voltage settings, much better power stability and a top notch onboard sound CODEC in the RealTek ALC658 chipset.

My rig specs are below.

 

[airfoil]

AT recommends the P4P800 deluxe, which provides great bang for the buck.

 

[QuackQuack]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone and please keep them coming if you have more. I'm going to research everything mentioned now. I'd like to spend around $80-100 on the mobo. Overclocking capability would be nice but not absolutely required if it will keep costs down.

Something cheap and very reliable would be perfect. Thanks again

 

[Peter D]

Abit AI7 or IS7.