Biostar Tforce 550 $49.99 at the egg, $6.13 shipping...

[f4phantom2500]

I don't remember if open box means refurb/return item or if it just means OEM. Either way, $50 is a good price for an NF5 AM2 board IMO, especially if these open box ones can overclock as well as the retail ones. Grab one of these, an X2 3600 for $60, a couple gigs of whatever RAM you want, and some heatsink (I was able to snag one of the Freezer 64 Pro's for $15 shipped the other day) and then when you find a really good vid card deal lmk 😉.

EDIT:

! I just realized I didn't put the link XP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138026R

EDIT:

Dang, now they're charging shipping.

 

[superHARD]

cool...let us know how it OC's

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: superHARD
cool...let us know how it OC's

I'm actually holding out for AM2+ (or at least the Pentium E's) until I upgrade. However, grabbing one of these with a 3600 Brisbane for $110 is very very tempting...

 

[Extelleron]

I have my TForce 550 (Retail from newegg) and X2 3600+ Brisbane and I'm pretty happy with it. Overclocking to 2.6GHz wasn't a problem and it seems 2.8GHz is stable as well. For the price this is a great mobo, I'm not sure I'd get the open box one though.

 

[Tullphan]

That is a good deal & it is the board i'm wanting.
However, i'm like Extelleron & am unsure about open box.
I've ordered an open box once before & got a bad item. Kind of a hassle considering the time involved to return it, etc.

 

[Jiggz]

It's a very good deal were not for the missing accessories. Not even a back plate is included.

 

[pioneercrazed]

I just got mine today, using it right now with the 3600 x2 and the g.skill hz ddr2-800...

Anyways, mine came with everything shown in the pic. Even the netting bag they don't show that holds the accessories.

I know it's a gamble, but who would return it w/o that stuff anyway?

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: pioneercrazed
I just got mine today, using it right now with the 3600 x2 and the g.skill hz ddr2-800...

Anyways, mine came with everything shown in the pic. Even the netting bag they don't show that holds the accessories.

I know it's a gamble, but who would return it w/o that stuff anyway?

The video card that I ordered from them that had more artifacts than the Smithsonian also had all the accessories.
I think they just advise people that it'll be shipped bare in case stuff is missing.
The only reasons I can think one would return a motherboard would be if it was:
1.) Blatantly defective
2.) Didn't like the layout even after seeing pictures
3.) Their monster HSF wouldn't work due to the layout
4.) It wouldn't overclock good enough to suit them

 

[jraddatz]

I had one of these. open box, and it died in about 10days. Froze during a gaming session, and wouldn't reboot. Was using it non-OC'd with a 3600 x2 brisbane and buffalo ram. if you get it, I hope it works out for you.

 

[Marinski]

i have this board w/ the arctic freezer. Just make sure you connect the 24 pin power before you put in the video card, or else it will be a pain.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Marinski
i have this board w/ the arctic freezer. Just make sure you connect the 24 pin power before you put in the video card, or else it will be a pain.

It is a pretty bad layout, isn't it?

 

[jlee]

Mine came in - the PCI Express slot is dead, and the RAM clips are damaged. I'm RMA'ing it..just ordered a new one for 25 bucks more. Mine came with the mesh bag, backplate/etc as well. Basically the retail box contents minus the box. It does work fine, excepting the issue with the PCI Express slot..which is a bit of a dealbreaker! It's running with a PCI GF2MX400, running auto-overclock at 250fsb with my 3600x2 (2380mhz). Hopefully the new one will be..well, new and working properly. 😛