in need of new MB, recommendations?

[MichaelZ]

CPU: P4 2.4B
Ram: Samsung DDR333

I'm looking for something that will have dual channel, HT and preferably Prescott as well should I upgrade to a Prescott core CPU later. SATA, firewire, Gigabit LAN (definatly a luxury I'm interested in) are not essential. Budget around $200-$250 Australian dollars, that's probably $200US.

Intel chipset is definatly more desirable, then again, only Intel chipsets will support next gen processor anyway. My current motherboard has a fault, so I'm looking for an alternative. Would getting a new MB right now be worthwhile? Or perhaps wait until after the new year be a better idea?

Something that overclocks decently would also be nice. Please list your suggested model, maker etc. Other advice is also much apprechiated, thanks.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I own the Asus P4P800 Deluxe (shown here @ newegg). It supports dual channel, Hyperthreading, but I don't know about Prescott (I am pretty sure it does though). Also, it has SATA (with RAID), Firewire, and 3Com Gigabit LAN! It uses the Intel 865PE Northbridge (chipset), and ICH5-R Southbridge. I just built my new computer with it (along with a P4 2.6C, 1GB of PC3200 Kingston HyperX, and a Geforce4 Ti4200). So far it has been working great!

-Josh

 

[jdogg707]

I think possibly the Asus P4C800-E and the Abit IC7 Max3 have support for the Prescott's. I wouldn't worry about Prescott support on the Socket 478 platform, because the Socket 775 chips will be coming out with new motherboard's and chipsets that will prove to be a better upgrade anyway....the S478 Prescott's will be kind of like Socket 423 was, but with a shorter life cycle.

 

[MichaelZ]

Hmm, thanks for the help. If S775 prescott will be the way to go, then I won't bother with worrying about prescott support. Perhaps I'll get something even cheaper and get the S775 Prescott CPU in a few years or so.

It's a close call between these 2: ASUS P4P800 Deluxe or a Gigabyte GA-8IK1100

The ASUS model has gigabit lan and all the new features you might want and uses the 865 chipset. On the other hand the Gigabyte doesnt have all the extra goodies like gigabit lan, but does have the 875 chipset which I'm very keen on. Since non of my other friends have gigbit LAN yet, having it on my PC doesn't seem that important cause it won't be working @ 1000 Mbits anyway.

Any comments to help me decide would be great.

I know the prices are a little high, but this is Australia afterall here PC parts get taxed. :\ The store's like a 15 min drive away and I usually shop there.

 

[jdogg707]

I would grab the Asus, but I prefer pretty much anything over Gigabyte, I have had three Gigabyte boards, using three different chipsets, and all of them have been faulty.