Help me decide on mobo and memory for AMD 64 (939)

[bobbyZ34]

I'm building my first computer and I've decided on the processor. I'm getting the AMD Athlon 64 (Socket 939) Winchester core 3200+ (retail) - $205.

I need an AGP slot for my graphics so that rules out PCIe slots and I don't want the SLI cards. I also need both SATA and IDE hard drive capability.

I'm looking at these boards (I don't really plan on overclocking, at least immediately, although I like the idea that I have the option if I want to.)

ABIT "AV8" K8T800 Pro - Retail - $109

MSI "K8T NEO2-FIR" VIA K8T800 Pro - RETAIL - $116

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS Ultra-939" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA - RETAIL - $116

EPoX "EP-9NDA3+" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA - RETAIL - $ 126

ASUS "A8V Deluxe" VIA K8T800 Pro - RETAIL - $ 136

I'm leaning more towards the ASUS because I've seen a lot of positives about the board. But I also see more positives for the nForce3 over the VIA.

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For Memory, I'm looking at 1 Gb (2x512) DDR400, PC3200 Dual Channel. I don't really plan on overclocking my machine so is ValueRAM okay for me or for just a little more is it worth it to upgrade a bit.

TwinMOS Dual Channel - OEM - $140

Corsair Value Select Dual Channel - Retail - $144

Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel - Retail - $145

Geil Ultra Series Value Dual Channel w/ Blue Heatspreader - Retail - $155

pqi TURBO Series Dual Channel - Retail - $145 after 20 rebate

OCZ Premier Value Series, Dual Channel - Retail - $166

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Sorry for the long winded message but I've been researching for a while and would appreciate a little advice.

Thanks, Rob

 

[SrGuapo]

I went with the Epox board myself. I can't give any reviews, since I only ordered it yesterday, but it gets alot of recommendations.

I would just get a gig of value RAM. Corsair, Mushkin (this is what I got), and Kingston are all good brands and I would buy whichever is cheapest at the time.

 

[Quino]

Abit is faster than the Asus at stock. I have both the Abit AV8 and the Epox 9NDAJ and I think I will keep the Abit if I can get an htt of 300. If I was not oc I would keep the Abit since I like I better.
On the memory I am using Kingston Value Ram and so far it ocs to 216 htt or ddr 432 🙂 not bad for value memory 🙂

 

[Anubis08]

WHat about MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum? Works great for me.

 

[bobbyZ34]

WHat about MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum? Works great for me.

It wasn't at newegg and I just found it on zipzoomfly.

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum nForce3 Ultra Athlon 64(FX) Skt939 DDR ATX - Retail - $140

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Anubis08
WHat about MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum? Works great for me.

I wouldn't recommend that board if you're not too experienced. It's a picky board with some weird quirks.

That being said, I've worked out any problems with it.

If you're not going to OC much, the ASUS A8V Deluxe is what I'd use. In fact, when I rebuild some other computers, that is what I'll end up putting in them.

 

[bobbyZ34]

Okay, so I've got one vote for and one against the MSI. If it is really picky then I might as well stay away from it. Looks like the ASUS is the one for me.

As far as memory goes, should any of those be fine. Is ValueRAM more for those that don't want to overclock? Are heat spreaders better to have on the ram already?

TIA Rob

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

I'll vote for the Asus A8V since I'm using it, no problems.
Other boards can OC more than the Asus, but since you are not OCing, the Asus is rock solid.
If you do decide to OC, it has an automatic feature to do it in steps of 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% right from the bios menu that adjusts all other settings automatically, and it works great.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: Anubis08
WHat about MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum? Works great for me.

I wouldn't recommend that board if you're not too experienced. It's a picky board with some weird quirks.

That being said, I've worked out any problems with it.

If you're not going to OC much, the ASUS A8V Deluxe is what I'd use. In fact, when I rebuild some other computers, that is what I'll end up putting in them.

I agree. I have the Neo2 Platinum, but if you don't plant to OC, the Asus or Epox would be my choice.