Best mobo for sckt 939 & AGP?

[x3ro]

Been out of the game awhile now

Anyways, I'm thinking of upgrading from my athlon xp @ 2.1ghz (400fsb version) to an A64 3000+ (1.8ghz @ ??? fsb).... would this be a worthwhile jump?

also, what's the best mobo for this? I need a mobo with AGP, as I just got a BFG 6800GT AGP card, and dont wish to try and sell it for a PCI-e version

help

 

[o1die]

Biostar makes an nforce4 board with both agx and pci-e slots. Newegg had them for $90-115 (2 models). Personally, I would go for the gigabyte or epox nforce3 boards. Both are less than $100, and some pricewatch combo deals include the gigabyte board for about $225 with cpu and fan. Biostar's warranty requires you to send them $30 handling fee if your vender won't handle your warranty for you, so choose your vender with care if you go with this board.

 

[x3ro]

does Abit have a compatible board? What about the DFI nF3 boards? What about the KT8 or whatever chipset? any good? sorry, just trying to get some ideas I've used Epox in the past with good luck.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Yes abit has an nf3 model, its called the AV8 they have two models. And the DFI nf3 board is recognized as the best overclocking nf3 board.

 

[Appledrop]

the msi k8n neo2 plat or epox 9NDA3+ / 3J or asus a8v are all good choices

 

[x3ro]

couple more stupid questions:

1. performance jump - noticable performance of say an A64 3000+ over an athlon xp @ 2.1ghz w/ a 400fsb ???

2. will my current antec truepower 430w PSU have the proper connectors for the newer boards?

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: x3ro
couple more stupid questions:

1. performance jump - noticable performance of say an A64 3000+ over an athlon xp @ 2.1ghz w/ a 400fsb ???

2. will my current antec truepower 430w PSU have the proper connectors for the newer boards?

Performance jump, in what? If its gaming, like Doom3, Far Cry etc, I don't think so. Many will say yes, but here's why I am very doubtful:

I also recently got a 6800GT to replace my (OC'd past XT levels) 9800 pro. While I usually keep my rig OC'd, with the CPU around 2.4ghz (faster than 3200+) and the FSB above 200/400mhz. I did a refromat/reinstall just after getting the card and underclocked my rig to XP 2500+ speeds with the FSB down to 166/333mhz. Well, I found that even with my rig drastically underclocked, the 6800GT still chews up games like Far Cry and Doom 3 etc. All the eye candy turned up etc. and great FPS.

In other words, if a 2500+ at 166/333mhz isn't a noticiable bottleneck (at least for me) for the 6800GT in the newest games, I don't think your XP 3000+ at 200/400mhz is either. If it isn't botlenecking you, replacing it won't do much.

I can't help you as far as things other than gaming cuz that's about all I do with this rig.

I don't see replacing my cpu/mobo for maybe another year. I've got plenty of OC headroom I don't even need now.

As far as the PSU, if you don't have the right connector they make adapters for that.

Fern

 

[GML3G0]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Yes abit has an nf3 model, its called the AV8 they have two models. And the DFI nf3 board is recognized as the best overclocking nf3 board.

Wrong. AV8 is based on the K8T800 Pro chipset, not the nForce3. I w ouldn't recommend it for overclocking. 230 is the max FSB with a working AGP lock after that, you must use 267 with an 8:2:1 divider. I second the EPoX.