I need a new mobo.

[Raduque]

Hi everybody. My MSI K7N2G-L is getting a little long in the tooth, so I've decided that I'm going to upgrade my mobo, but I don't really know what mobo to get. What I want out of it, is native SATA(built into the southbridge), overclocking ability(1mhz FSB incriments and CPU Multi adjustments), and decent onboard sound. Oh yes, I need it to be SocketA. I'm willing to spend up to $120. I was already looking at the Asus A7V600 or the EPoX 8RDA6+ Pro, but I'm open to any and all suggestions
Thanks for reading. =)

 

[CraigRT]

I recently used an A7V600 board at work, it's a really nice board, with TONS of features... so far it runs like a champ also... I'd give that board the nod from the experience I've had with it.

I'd also recommend the Soltek SL-75FRN2-RL, I have the regular -L version without SATA/IDE RAID and it's a wonderful board... extremely stable and reliable, and it has lots of overclocking options. I also read a review where the reviewer says it has excellent sound (for being onboard and all).

either of those would do you nicely... I don't know anything about the EPoX, I've only owned one, and it was the only mobo I've had that ever gave me problems, so I don't know if I would buy it myself, but that's not to say it isn't a good board.

 

[Silkwormsgnr]

If you want native SATA your options are the KT600, KT880 and nForce2 Ultra 400Gb chipsets.

Overclocking: only the nForce2 has a PCI/AGP lock.

Audio: the best one is the SOYO KT600 Platinum, which uses a PCI CMI8738 6-Channel chip, instead of integrated AC97. Much better quality.

VIA KT880: all the boards have good onboard sound. MSI and Soltek use VIA's VT1617, SOYO uses C-media CMI9780 and ASUS the ADI 1888.

nForce2: some boards use the ALC655 codec, which you should avoid. The ALC658 on the other hand is very good. If you have an unlocked processor stay away from ABIT's NF7-S2 (which is not the same as NF7-S v2).

 

[Raduque]

Thanks for the replies.

Silkworm, do you know what boards currently for sale have the nForce2 GB chipsets? The only one I could find was the aforementioned EPoX.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Raduque
Thanks for the replies.

Silkworm, do you know what boards currently for sale have the nForce2 GB chipsets? The only one I could find was the aforementioned EPoX.

There is the NForce2 Ultra 400 (SocketA) and the NForce3 250GB (S754)
there are a few

MSI K8N Neo platinum
Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR
the EPoX you mentioned
and I know there are a few more, but I cant think of any.

the Soltek I mentioned in my first post has the NForce2 Ultra400 chipset.

 

[o1die]

The abit nf7-s version 2.0 is about $80 online at places like newegg. Some versions have soundstorm audio, highly recommended. The old nf7 is the cheapest of the various models.

 

[Silkwormsgnr]

Originally posted by: Raduque
Thanks for the replies.

Silkworm, do you know what boards currently for sale have the nForce2 GB chipsets? The only one I could find was the aforementioned EPoX.

I've seen the MSI K7N2 Delta2 Platinum, Chaintech 7NJL6, ABIT NF7-S2 and NF7-S2G.

The only one with good OC abilities is the MSI. The ABIT could be considered a decent overclocker if your processor is locked and you don't want to use a high Vcore (max allowed is +14%).

 

[Raduque]

Thanks for the advice folks. A few of them sound promising (especially the MSI Delta2) and a few of them I can cross right off my list, as they are A64 boards, and I'm looking for something to give my unlocked 2500+ Barton a home. =D