Just to get this out of the way, I'll admit I know next to nothing about motherboards. All I know is how to look up the requirements to make sure it's compatible with my CPU and RAM. 
- I do want onboard ethernet (I only have a cable modem so I don't need anything fantsy here, 10/100 is fine).
- It sounds like onboard sound will do just fine (I plan on using a typical 2-speaker set-up).
- I have no plans to overclock.
I plan on getting an AMD 64 3000+ after much searching, studying, and price checking. For only $40 more than a typical budget CPU, it's well worth the price I think.
Now I've been reading threads here and there, checking budget guides. No one seems to agree on a mobo, which makes things difficult (and makes me wonder if it really matters at around $80). I'm assuming that just about any $70-$80 mobo on newegg that has good reviews will be fine, but I have the extra need for a newbie friendly mobo. I'll repeat that, NEWBIE FRIENDLY! Please don't crucify me. The last comp I built was for an athlon 1.2ghz (just to give you an idea of how long ago it was), and I had problems. I don't want a mobo that has a crappy stock bios and I'll need to flash it. I want something solid right out of the box.
If you have recommendations other than what I've listed below, please let me know.
Here's what I've looked at so far:
SOLTEK "SL-K8AV2-RL" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE
This has good ratings on newegg, but unfortunately I haven't seen any recommendations for it anywhere (here on forums or buyer guides). However, out of the written reviews, there's no mention of having to update the bios, so hopefully that means it's good-to-go out of the box. The only thing that concerns me is the quality of the board since I've heard no recommendations on these forums.
CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-043&depa=0
At first I thought this would be the way I'd go, as it's recommended in AnandTech's budget buyer's guide, and I've also seen it recommended on here. However, reading Newegg reviews, seeing a post about a similar Chaintech mobo not having a good bios, and reading reviews on newegg stating that I'll need to update the bios, this has slid down off my list. However, if someone thinks it's worth the hassle of updating the bios (which I've never done before, please keep that in mind for user friendly!), then I'll reconsider it.
MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://secure.newegg.com/app/C...=0&item=13-130-449
This is recommended from the Sharky Extreme budget guide. The only problems that I've read about in the newegg reviews is possible PSU issues. I plan on getting a case with stock 350watt PSU (Antec case), hopefully that won't cause any problems. I *think* I've seen the mobo mentioned on these forums, not quite sure. The biggest problem is that this mobo is currently out of stock.
Here is what my estimated specs are:
- AMD 64 3000+
- Corsair Value Select 1x512mb PC3200
- Antec case ~$70-$99 (undecided) 350watt
- WD SE 80gig 7200 rpm
- Either Geforce 6800NU or Sapphire Radeon 9800 vid card (depends on if I feel that I need the extra bang for more cash).
Thanks for your time.
- I do want onboard ethernet (I only have a cable modem so I don't need anything fantsy here, 10/100 is fine).
- It sounds like onboard sound will do just fine (I plan on using a typical 2-speaker set-up).
- I have no plans to overclock.
I plan on getting an AMD 64 3000+ after much searching, studying, and price checking. For only $40 more than a typical budget CPU, it's well worth the price I think.
Now I've been reading threads here and there, checking budget guides. No one seems to agree on a mobo, which makes things difficult (and makes me wonder if it really matters at around $80). I'm assuming that just about any $70-$80 mobo on newegg that has good reviews will be fine, but I have the extra need for a newbie friendly mobo. I'll repeat that, NEWBIE FRIENDLY! Please don't crucify me.
The last comp I built was for an athlon 1.2ghz (just to give you an idea of how long ago it was), and I had problems. I don't want a mobo that has a crappy stock bios and I'll need to flash it. I want something solid right out of the box.If you have recommendations other than what I've listed below, please let me know.
Here's what I've looked at so far:
SOLTEK "SL-K8AV2-RL" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE
This has good ratings on newegg, but unfortunately I haven't seen any recommendations for it anywhere (here on forums or buyer guides). However, out of the written reviews, there's no mention of having to update the bios, so hopefully that means it's good-to-go out of the box. The only thing that concerns me is the quality of the board since I've heard no recommendations on these forums.
CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-043&depa=0
At first I thought this would be the way I'd go, as it's recommended in AnandTech's budget buyer's guide, and I've also seen it recommended on here. However, reading Newegg reviews, seeing a post about a similar Chaintech mobo not having a good bios, and reading reviews on newegg stating that I'll need to update the bios, this has slid down off my list. However, if someone thinks it's worth the hassle of updating the bios (which I've never done before, please keep that in mind for user friendly!), then I'll reconsider it.
MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://secure.newegg.com/app/C...=0&item=13-130-449
This is recommended from the Sharky Extreme budget guide. The only problems that I've read about in the newegg reviews is possible PSU issues. I plan on getting a case with stock 350watt PSU (Antec case), hopefully that won't cause any problems. I *think* I've seen the mobo mentioned on these forums, not quite sure. The biggest problem is that this mobo is currently out of stock.
Here is what my estimated specs are:
- AMD 64 3000+
- Corsair Value Select 1x512mb PC3200
- Antec case ~$70-$99 (undecided) 350watt
- WD SE 80gig 7200 rpm
- Either Geforce 6800NU or Sapphire Radeon 9800 vid card (depends on if I feel that I need the extra bang for more cash).
Thanks for your time.
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