Best motherboard chipset for new AMD processor?

[SaltyNuts]

Fellas, I want to build a new AMD based system. I haven't kept up much with computers since I purchased my last Athlon XP, so I am confused by the motherboard chipset options.

I was hoping I could build a cheapie Sempteron and then upgrade to a 64 bit AMD processor down the road. Can the Sempteron and the 64 bit Athlon work in the same socket/chipset? Any suggestions of the current best chipset to go with?

Thanks for any help.

 

[MDE]

The Sempron is only available for Socket 754 (and Socket A, but those are just cut down XPs) right now. The catch is that AMD is probably going to stop offering new Athlon 64s for Socket 754 because they're migrating towards Socket 939. Personally I'd go for a Socket 939 board and an Athlon 64 3000+. Not only will it be the cheapest upgrade for Socket 939, but it'll give you the most room to upgrade later on if you want to.

 

[coejus]

Depending on the money, you might want to go for the new nForce4 chipset and get PCI-Express. Otherwise, the nForce3 chipset is probably the favorite for AGP-based boards. VIA and SiS don't seem to get much love.

 

[Cerb]

For socket 754, yes, but you save about $10 with a Sempron.
So no real reason to do that.
$60-$90 for a mobo
$124-$140 for a CPU. May as well go for the $130 Athlon64 2800+

The real question is how much money you have allocated for this build/upgrade, and what parts (if it is an upgrading) you will be replacing.

 

[SaltyNuts]

I'm building new computer rather than upgrading my old one.

So for upgradeability reasons it sounds like I need a socket 939 board.

Is the Nforce 4 board the best socket 939 chipset out there?

Thanks again all.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: SaltyNuts
I'm building new computer rather than upgrading my old one.

So for upgradeability reasons it sounds like I need a socket 939 board.

Is the Nforce 4 board the best socket 939 chipset out there?

Thanks again all.

If you can find one reasonably priced. Are you going to OC? Thats important when choosing a MoBo. Also, are you planning on using an AGP or a PCI-E video card? If PCI-E is your choice that you have no choice but to get a NF4 chip MoBo or wait for other companies to offer it.

 

[SaltyNuts]

I'm definately going to overclock--I know what to look for there.

To tell you the truth, I am not even sure what PCI-Express is. I take it it is a new bus? Is it higher-end or lower-end than AGP?

I'll get a NForce 4 board if PCI-Express might at all be useful---whether I get an AGP or PCI-E video card will depend on the price and performance of the cards using the different buses.

 

[Cerb]

PCI Express is the folow-on to PCI and AGP.
PCI-E 1x slots (at some point may get to PCI-E 4x) replace PCI, and a PCI-E 16x slot replaces AGP.

Currently the gaming video cards don't even take advantage of AGP 8x. Performance is the same. GbE and RAID controllers are what are pushing PCI right now, and need PCI-E.