EDIT: Please comment these choices

[MarkHark]

EDIT: Been looking to buy an IGP mobo, until I can get a good video card to replace my voodoo 3000
Which one would you recommend now?

Original post follows:

I thought of buying a Epox 8RGA+, but it shows as a full 40 US$ above 8RDA+
Newegg shows Soltek 75MRN-L for 99US$.
I've also seen some MSI, Chaintech and many other options throughout this price range.

Questions:
1) I could probably get a Geforce3 or maybe a Geforce4 MX420 for about 40-50 US$. Is the price premium of the 8RGA+ acceptable?
2) Is this onboard video significantly better than my Voodoo3 3000? If yes, by how much?
3) Which IGP board would you buy today, taking in consideration current prices and the announced launch of Nforce400 Ultra?

Please link best offers you have found on these boards. Thanks.

 

[Vette73]

If you don't need the MCP-T southbridge (5.1 sound, firewire, etc..) then get the...

Soltek SL-75MRN-L

If you need teh extra's then get the...

LEADTEK K7NCR18G-PRO


Now if you are going to overclcok then you need to read some reviews as some may be better then some.

And if using the on-board video then make surew to use 2 slabs of Ram, will allow the video card to work better.

 

[MarkHark]

Yes, I intend on doing some *mild* overclocking. I'd be pretty happy if I could get something like 170-180 FSB, at default voltage/cooling... If not, 166 would be just OK. No intention to even try 200+ FSB

My goal is to run an XP1700+ at 2,0 GHz (166*12, or if possible 182*11), with only minimal voltage adjustment, preferably none.

Onboard video should serve 'til I'm able to buy something better, (9000pro at least, preferably 9500 Pro or 4200), since my old voodoo is getting shame of WC3 and Dungeon Siege...

 

[bambam]

I also think the Soltek SL75 MNR-L is agood value . I guess a lot others do too since the street price has just gone up from $ 89.00 ( daXn , I was hoping to buy another ) .












l

 

[MarkHark]

I was considering buying 2 sticks of Hyperx PC3000 (2*42 US$, + shipping), since I don't plan on very high FSB anyway, but I read some people are having trouble with Kingston Hyperx PC3500.

What do you suggest? This offer seems acceptable, I cannot spend much more than this (mobo + memory should be under 200$)

 

[Apotherix]

I've looked at the K7N2G-L (MSI)m and it looks good to me, although I don't have any personal experience to back it up...sorry.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: MarkHark
I was considering buying 2 sticks of Hyperx PC3000 (2*42 US$, + shipping), since I don't plan on very high FSB anyway, but I read some people are having trouble with Kingston Hyperx PC3500.

What do you suggest? This offer seems acceptable, I cannot spend much more than this (mobo + memory should be under 200$)

I got some PC3200 Geil at newegg.com and it is working great in my NF7-S nForce2 board. It cost $44 for each slab of 256mg. I am running it at 404Mhz (202ddr). I have a T-Bred A chip at 404Mhz with it. Always run your Ram and CPU at the same FSB, at least on the nForce2 setups.

 

[MarkHark]

BUMP

Guess I'll just get 2 sticks of Buffalo PC3200 256 MB (45$ each @ newegg), and try them downclocked, at tighter memory latencies.
I've been reading posts about IGP mobos not liking high FSBs (or would it be high memory speeds?) when using integrated video. My goal is set @ 182 MHz, CAS2, but 166*12 (or maybe 174*11.5) would be fast enough to get me pleased if I can keep voltages down.

These Buffalos have winbond BH-5 memory chips, rated @200 MHz, 2,5-3-3-6 1T, so I expect them to perform well @182, 2-2-2-6 1T, at 2.5 or 2.6 V.

Also, looking at Soltek 75MRN-L (99$ shipped @ newegg - they were at 85$ 2 weeks ago) or maybe Leadtek K7NCR18G-PRO (112$ @ newegg), main difference is MCP-T on the Leadtek... What do you think of this setup?

 

[MarkHark]

bump