I need a new mobo for my P4

[Chadder007]

I haven't looked in a while. What is a good motherboard that can replace mine? *Used EPOX 4G4A+ and don't need the onboard graphics either* I need something that supports a 400mhz FSB (1.6ghz Northwood) processor and if possible would support an 800mhz FSB for me to upgrade the processor later to one with HT. Also...875 or 865P chipset??? I need something with good support and stability please.

Edit: * Also noticed for the newest BIOS versions of GigaByte boards.....they are supporting Prescott !!

 

[o1die]

The abit IS7 is highly recommended and only about $95-100 shipped. Gigabyte makes pretty stable boards, but I haven't had much luck with their customer support. They never answer my email, and their reseller's website can be tricky to navigate. Abit offers pretty good technical support, and the best direct rma procedure, if you ever need it. Prescott will probably be pretty pricey, and may go to the new cpu design with the pins on the mobo instead of the cpu. Intel always figures out a way to force you to change boards.

 

[Chadder007]

Is the only difference between 865 and 875 just the "PAT" tech from intel?... which I hear is mostly not really that much helpful anyway?

Also, anyone hear about this mobo from Abit? The AI7? Sounds interesting and I found it cheap somewhere. Its close to that IS7, but has a newer sound chip from Realtek and has the IDE connectors like most mobos again instead of that weird way. Also has an angled CPU socket?
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&model=147

 

[lenjack]

845PE if you don't want any headaches...Terrific speed and reliability. 875 if you must have PAT, 865 If psuedoPAT is OK with you. Pehaps a bit faster than 845PE, but you'll need matched memory sticks.

If you go 845PE, I recommend the Asus P4PE...excellent, with NO problems.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: lenjack
845PE if you don't want any headaches...Terrific speed and reliability. 875 if you must have PAT, 865 If psuedoPAT is OK with you. Pehaps a bit faster than 845PE, but you'll need matched memory sticks.

If you go 845PE, I recommend the Asus P4PE...excellent, with NO problems.

...what headaches are you referring to?

 

[Sunny129]

the 845PE is only a no headache solution b/c it's been around since Jesus and is a very mature chipset. but that eliminates your chance of a future upgrade to a P4C (800mhz fsb) chip.

and yes, PAT is the only major difference between the 865 and 875. i don't think its worth the price premuim of the 875 over the 865 though. especially when board makers such as Abit and ASUS have emulated the technology on their 865 boards. and since these chipsets are "binned" like CPUs, they say that the 875 can reach higher fsb's, but i have yet to see anything to make that a significant claim. you can OC enough with a good 865 board. i'll nominate the IS7 as well.

 

[Chadder007]

Do I need 2 sticks of DDR now if I go with one of these newer chipsets then? Or is the dual channel part of it just optional? Ive only got one stick of 333mhz ddr 512 meg.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Dual channel is optional. Would go with 865 chipset. Have used Abit boards with good success.

 

[Corporate Thug]

is7 all the way

 

[Chadder007]

Ok, Ive ordered the Abit AI7 ....its the IS7 basically with uguru, a newer sound codec, and supposedly a new power adaptation to allow support for the Prescott.

 

[Sunny129]

let us know how it goes. most of us IS7 users are aware that the AI7 is basically the same board, but i would personally like to know if its just as good a board. i think the rearrangement of the IDE connectors is a move in the right direction, for a start anyways...