Help me pick a new motherboard, please :)

[Mamoose]

Originally posted by: palidor
OK. I'm doing a pretty massive upgrade of this computer, which is using the motherboard from hell; Epox 8KHA+. I'm not even going to start on the problems I've had with it. Finally time to move on

Here are the planned system specs:
athlon XP 2000 cpu
1 x 512mb pc2100 crucial ddr
2 x 256mb pc2100 crucial ddr
1 40 gig ata133 drive
1 40 gig ata100 drive
pioneer slot loading 16x dvd-rom
lite on 12x10x32 cd-rw
msi geforce3 ti500 64mb ddr
linksys 10/100 ethernet
antec 400w psu
alpha pal8045 heatsink

- I hate epox and will never purchase another epox product again.
- I plan on doing a lot of gaming.
- Stability is more important than speed.
- I'm not particularly fond of via chipsets due to their bugginess in the past. not sure if that's changed
- I don't need or want onboard sound/video (so no nforce)
- alpha pal8045 must fit with no mods

I am looking to spend about $100 for a board, but I will go as high as $150 if I see one that sparks an interest.

With that in mind, does anyone have some suggestions? I wish I were less busy so I could do the research myself, but I figure you guys will know what's best

Thanks,

Jason

edit: forgot to add, i have no desire to overclock this thing.

:Q Wait............for NForce2

 

[Cerb]

It will floor you how much better VIA chipsets are now. The KT333 is all but free of quirks, you just have to pop in the 4in1s and go.
Asus doesn't make a single bad product (but can be pricey), and while I haven't used the MSI KT3 Ultra2 (If I get the money, I have my eyes on the KT4 version), I have used the KT3 Ultra-ARU, and it was the easiest board I have ever set up, has room to spare around the socket (not sure if that alpha will fit, but the retail HSF has no capacitors touching it or near touching), and once I put a good PSU in it [long story about a PoS Sparkle 300w here], it ran like a top through 40 hours of 3dmark at 1600x1200 before I let him get it (If someone is paying you for it, it is a good thing to not hear about the machine again ).
Anyway, all that rambling means is I think the MSI and Asus are great choices.

 

[Lizardman]

Wait a week and buy a Nforce 2 mobo. Abit will be the first one to come out with one. There is your no via/epox solution.

 

[CraigRT]

Want a good, cheap, solid, reliable, fast, mobo??
SOLTEK!

they build kick A$$ mobos.. very low cost, very stable and run like champs. I have an SL75DRV4 and although I want to upgrade again, this board is just too good to give away. it works sooo nice... I highly recommend this company.. performance on a budget, but they are actually dependable too. 2 thumbs way up for Soltek!

they even give a cool box and great software bundle!