First-time builder needs advice on MB & memory selection

[ghoti]

I'm about to build my first system.

Anyone know when the MSI K8N Socket 754 MB will be available? Is this a good choice for a first-time builder? (I see other threads below with builders going crazy with BIOS settings on other nVidia 3-250 boards, trying to get SATA HD's recognized/ working.) I already have two Raptor 74G HD's, but don't plan on Raiding them. (From the K8N MB review I read, it doesn't seem you gain much performance-wise from Raid 0.)

Also, assuming I get the MSI K8N, I plan to use the AMD 64 3200, and would like to put in 2GB(?) memory. Considering possible future use (in a dual channel application), I guess I'd get a PAIR of 1024's. In checking the MSI memory compatability table, I don't see anything I recognize. Do I need to worry about that? Can I just go ahead and get one of the highly-reviewed brands/ types (e.g., Mushkin Pro). I don't plan to OC, but considering possible future use in/ with some other MB/ processor, does it make sense to get a higher speed than PC3200?

Thanks for the input. :confused

 

[CaptnKirk]

Of all the motherboard combinations I have built, my experience drives me to either
the ASUS Motherboards or the ABIT Motherboards.

I have NEVER gotten a bad ASUS, and have had very good experiences with the
ABITs that I build for myself - and for performance minded people.
(The ABIT tends to be a little trickier than the ASUS though)

Memory - Again in experience I have NEVER gotten a bad stick of CRUCIAL,
and since what I build for myself, relatives, and friends - I just go with Crucial.

I also find that for the dollars involved the AMD's are just a better deal than Intels.

NEVER buy the top of the line - most expensive processor, the cost is just too high
and the performance is so little better (In real life) than the 2nd or 3rd 'Deal'.
(Keep in mind - the 2nd and 3rd processor today was 'the Killer' last week, or last month)

You need at least a 400 Watt Power Supply, the 500 Watt ones are nice,
but realistically you won't need that much juice unless you have a ton of drives.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killer Option # 1, (Remember - the 939 Socket AMD 64 is on the way, like next month)
Motherboard = ABIT KV8 Pro
CPU = Athlon 64 3000+
Memory = CRUCIAL PC3200, 512MB (2 Sticks)

Option # 2 (Staying with the Athlon XP Series)
Motherboard = ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe ($ 15 less than the Abit above)
CPU = Athlon XP3200+(But only about $ 35 less than the 64 Bit above)
Menory = Same as above, good stuff.

Do yourself a favor and go with the AMD 64, it's got a lot of overhead in its future,
the XP are really nice, but the newer technology is nicer. (and only a $ 50 swing)
(I would build the ABIT one now for myself, unless I decided to wait until after Christmas
and see where the price and avalability of 'Hot Stuff' is in Feburary. (Memory will be down)

 

[colonel]

I got bad mobos from Asus and Abit I got mad becuase I paid a lot of money for them, so I went to others brands like Soltek, Shuttle, XFX, Aopen, Biostar...

 

[nycxandy]

The MSI K8N Neo Platinum (NF3 250 Chipset) should be readily available early in June.

Two vendors already have it listed on their sites, CompuHQ and AxionTech. Check the other thread.