Choosing among these 939 Motherboards

[QueHuong]

My main concern is stability, good performance, and extendability for future upgrades for the CPU.

I just got back from Micro Center and here are the motherboards that fit my budget:

MSI K8N Neo4-F - $105

Abit AV8 - $120

AOpen nCK804a-LFS - $109

DFI nF4-DAGF - $98

Which one of these will fit my need for stability, performance, and extendability? Stability is the most important...I just don't have time anymore to fix and experiment when things go wrong; I need it to work right.

I also have a $25 gift certificate for MC which will bring down the cost a little. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[OdiN]

Do they carry Asus boards? I would recommend an A8V-E/A8N board.

I have run into a lot of issues with that Abit s939 board...sold several of them and all have been problematic so I don't sell them anymore.

I'm not a fan of MSI or AOpen, though I've heard good things about that Neo4 board...just no personal experience.

The DFI I dunno...

 

[Salamandar]

Just avoid MSI as much as possible.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Salamandar
Just avoid MSI as much as possible.

LOL :laugh:

I'd suggest the MSI or the DFI, since IMO, nForce 4 is the way to go.

And since personally, i'd had a good experience with my MSI, i'd take the Neo4-F 🙂

 

[Salamandar]

I have the K8n SLI Platinum, on default settings with no overclocking it's a very good mobo.
But has a cold boot issue when trying to raise FSB above 235MHz.

 

[timecop67]

I'm waiting for the 939 motherboards based on the New Via K8T900 Chipset to hit the market then I will upgrade. I like the via solution because it runs cooler and doesn't require active cooling or heat piping like the Nforce solution. And the speed is very close to Nforce.

From Manufacturer
The VIA K8T900 chipset is comprised of a new K8 North Bridge, the K8T900 and a new VT8251 South Bridge. The K8T900 is pin-pin compatible with the K8T890 North Bridge, meaning that a motherboard manufacturer could use an existing K8T890 motherboard design and just start using the K8T900 instead. The K8T900 offers a standard high bandwidth x16 PCI.

Preview from PC perspective...
The VT8251?s audio support includes support for Azalia, standard AC?97 audio and even the VIA Vinyl on-board 7.1 channel surround sound chip, the Envy24PT that can run 24/96 resolution to digital outputs. This is one advantage that the VIA south bridge has over the nForce4 MCPs at this point.

 

[Pyrokinetic]

I also would recommend an ASUS board. However, note that the Via K8T890 chipset currently DOES NOT support A64 X2 processors. I should know, I own an ASUS A8V-E Deluxe. So if you want dual-core, go with the A8N-E or wait for the Via K8T900 chipset. Other than that isuue, I give the A8V-E an enthusiastic thumbs up. I OCs well with my A64 3700+ San Diego.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Pyrokinetic
I also would recommend an ASUS board. However, note that the Via K8T890 chipset currently DOES NOT support A64 X2 processors. I should know, I own an ASUS A8V-E Deluxe. So if you want dual-core, go with the A8N-E or wait for the Via K8T900 chipset. Other than that isuue, I give the A8V-E an enthusiastic thumbs up. I OCs well with my A64 3700+ San Diego.

K8T890 doesn't support X2...but the K8T800 on my A8V Deluxe does? 😕 Way to go VIA =/

 

[ksherman]

DFI nf4 hasnt failed me yet! They seems to be one of the best...

 

[QueHuong]

Originally posted by: Salamandar
I have the K8n SLI Platinum, on default settings with no overclocking it's a very good mobo.
But has a cold boot issue when trying to raise FSB above 235MHz.

I don't plan on overclocking, so would you recommend MSI then?

 

[timecop67]

I've heard for stability go Gigabyte or Asus with their multi phase power scheme. Just choose a board with the least amount of problems and go for it. Haven't heard MSI being known for their stability but each board has its own quirks to it. My old Asus CUSL2 intel system is still going strong and no problems after 5 years but all these new AMD motherboards it is plug and pray.

 

[Salamandar]

If no overclocking, then yes MSI K8N SLI Plat. with no overclocking is a good motherboard.

 

[DVDdude]

Originally posted by: Pyrokinetic
I also would recommend an ASUS board. However, note that the Via K8T890 chipset currently DOES NOT support A64 X2 processors. I should know, I own an ASUS A8V-E Deluxe. So if you want dual-core, go with the A8N-E or wait for the Via K8T900 chipset. Other than that isuue, I give the A8V-E an enthusiastic thumbs up. I OCs well with my A64 3700+ San Diego.

The Asus A8V-E SE DOES SUPPORT x2 dual core. It is a k8t890 revision board. Check it out here :

http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=143&model=576&modelmenu=1

I'm also waiting on the k8t900 boards, but I can't find a street date when these will be released. Anyone know?