Good *Value* AMD Motherboard? (MSI K7N2-L?)

[Nickel020]

I currently have an ECS K7S5A and want to upgrade my Motherboard due to a cople of problems (new HD not working, can't overclock, performance). I have an Athlon XP 1800+ (Palomino) and 512 MB of RAM (1 stick but I could exchange it for 2). I don't need RAID or good onboard sound but wouldn't mind having onboard LAN. What should i get? Currently I am looking at the MSI K7N2-L as it is a nForce 2 board, has good overclocking capabilities and is a bargain at just ?99.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thx

 

[The_Lurker]

I recently went from a ECS K7S5A to a MSI K7N2-L and for $136 CDN, it was a bargain. I have yet to regret upgrading it to an MSI and i definately think these are one of the best boards for the cost. There is really no reason not to upgrade to an nForce 2 board right now IMO and the K7N2-L is a great low cost board that gives you barebones nForce 2 features at an attractive price. I'd say go for it.

 

[chilled]

yup....I totally agree.

Now running 2100+ @ 2700+ and Crucial PC2100 CL2.5 @ PC2700 2-6-3-3 and on mine everythings awesome now

Honestly, its a good budget board in the nForce2 deptartment, although it does not have MCP-T southbridge and so only normal 5.1 sound.

 

[Red]

I also have a K7s5a and am looking for a board with good onboard sound... I have 5.1 speakers and haven't been able to use them. Will this MSI board do it? What is this MCP-T thing?

 

[The_Lurker]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
I also have a K7s5a and am looking for a board with good onboard sound... I have 5.1 speakers and haven't been able to use them. Will this MSI board do it? What is this MCP-T thing?

The MSI K7N2-L i bought doesn't come with the S-Bracket which would allow me to use a 5.1 speakers (i only run 2.1 so no biggy). If you get a MSI K7N2-L, you might get the S-Bracket, u might not (make sure), if not, i'd just pick up a SB LIve Value 5.1 (they're like $30 now?).

The MCP-T is the southbridge NVIDIA developed for the nForce 2. They developed 2, the MCP and the MCP-T, the main difference for sound is that MCP-T has full soundstorm support (which is NVIDIA's developed sound chip which performs at a SB Live Audigy level and only comes on high end boards such as the MSI K7N2-ILSGR), whereas the MCP usually just come with a Realtek or a Crystal chip that is a software decoder.

 

[DieHardware]

The MSI K7N2-L i bought doesn't come with the S-Bracket which would allow me to use a 5.1 speakers

Can't you reconfigure the line and mic inputs as surround and center/sub outputs in audio properties on that board? I can do this with my KT3 Ultra 2 and KT4 MBs.

 

[magomago]

MSI is the worst Nforce2 board out there and you could do a LOT better....

Look at the Epox 8rda or he 8rda+ for a much more affordable and better nforce2 (Though I'd highly reccomend the 8rda+)

 

[Idoxash]

I was going to check out them Epox boards till after a few vistes to over 10 hardware site forums I learn of some probs they were having- (DOA/s and Bios probs) But they are prcie good, eh... It would be great if every mobo maker besides Intel could make mobos that simply works when you get it, eh...

 

[magomago]

Really? Obviously the more a mobo is purchased the more problems one will see in a board just to to a ratio (IE- you more asus and epox problems than anywhere) but the 8rdA+ was very stable (to my knowledge) back in the earlier days of the a7n8x when it was plagued with bad bioses (obviously not an issue as long as you flash to 1002A or 1002AUber [uber=unofficial hack])

but if you are cash strapped I'd highly reccomend the 8rda=