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Building a gaming machine with Athlon XP: Recommend a mobo

A

ahsia

Golden Member
Looking for a relatively inexpensive motherboard, with a good onboard sound. nForce is out of the question now, because I want to get my own video card. I rather not spend ABIT or ASUS money if I can get MSI, Shuttle, or ECS for less than $100. Should I go with the KT266A or SiS chipset? Please help....
 
I've been pretty happy with my Epox EP-8KHA+. Runs about $100 or so at most vendors. But aside from the integrated AC97 codec, it doesn't really have built-in audio of any kind.
 
When I saw the title of this thread he first thing that popped into my mind was: EpoX 8KHA+ 🙂

It does have onboard sound but it isn't anything special, you can get a decent sound card for arround $40 anyway.
 
A lot of great reviews on the Soltek SL-75DRV2 motherboard. Some reviews said it lacks advanced overclocking features, others said it allows for easy overclocking.. go figure.

Search the Web for the reviews... $99 on NewEgg.com
 
For a good gaming machine, you definitely go with a stand-alone sound card. Onboard is crap in most cases, especially if you have better than average speakers. And you CAN use your own videocard with nForce.
 
The reason I want onboard sound is because I want to use as little money as possible, even if it means saving $40. Aren't there motherboards now with 6 channel onboard sound that even support dolby 5.1?

By the way, is the KT266A chipset the way to go?
 
I have a Shuttle Ak31A it uses the KT266A chipset and I am very happy with it. Not sure of the onboard sound because I have an SB Live! It runs my XP1600+@1587mhz just fine. I paid $77 for it.
 
Soyo Dragon Plus has 6.1 Audio w/ Digital In Out..... Heard the sound is really good. Although it runs about $140. But it does come with on board NIC, RAID and good Overclock. Its KT266A chipset.
 
KT266A is best chipset out there until the nforce gets more mainstream, KT266A is great for overclocking and I wouldn't use any chipset but VIA right now
 


<< Oh, and def. go with Epox 8kha+, it is the one i will get, it is best ddr mobo for overclocking >>



What't the difference between the 8KHA+ vs. 8KHAL? On newegg's site, it says the 8KHAL "No Over-Clocking"?? Isn't it just the same board, but the 8KHAL is the light version?

Plus, I've been using EPoX for a while now, kinda want to try something that is not ABIT or EPoX....
 
i agree with wheezer.
the shuttle ak31a is a great board in my opinion. i've built 5 pcs with it and it's been nothing less than flawless. and it's quite inexpensive too.
good luck
 
The IWill XP333 looks pretty good. Try to get revision 2.1 if possible. It is stable, fast, and has excellent onboard sound (As far as onboard sound goes).
 
I've been looking at the Shuttle for quite some time, even before the AK31A revision. Isn't the Iwill XP333 based on the Ali chipset? How is the ECS KT266A board?
 
i would stay away from a via chipset. although i did get a 8kha+, the kt266a chipset gave me so many damn problems. maybe it's my setup, from popping sound to many other anomalies. 2 installations later after i've gotten all the kinks worked out, nothing but rock solid stability. it's a great board, but i'd still recommend getting an amd based chipset mainboard, just because they tend not to have as many 'issues'.
 
Actually, the nForce might be the best option for you. You can pick-up a MSI board for $145 + shipping. This combo will be on par with a KT266A in speed and give you a MUCH MUCH lower cpu utilization when utilizing onboard sound. That sound would also be coming from one of the best pc soundchips available.

Just my $.02
 
Will the nForce 415-D be exactly like the 420-D, but just without the GeForce2 MX onboard? And when in the 415-D due for release?
 
That was a good call on the 415-D Ahsia. This setup will cost less than the $145 for a 420-D and I repeat (since this is for a gaming rig) the nForce option will have signifficantly better sound and lower cpu utilization.

yahoo finance
"The nForce 415-D processor set is in production now. Motherboards based on nForce 415-D will be available later this month."

 
Looks like I will wait for the 415-D. nForce seems to be on par with the KT266a chipset, and with the good onboard sound, this is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again for all the help!
 
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