K8M890? Looking for Athlon64 939 with on-board video

[programmer]

Hi, all. I am a software developer and want to build an inexpensive Athlon 64 machine foremost to test 64-bit code compatibility and also for fast compile times. I don't play games and have no interest in a performance GPU.

Last fall there were several articles on the web discussing upcoming chipsets for Via -- notably the K8T890 and K8M890. Well, the K8T890 is here (I think), but the K8M890 is no where to be found. It was supposed to offer on-board dual-head display and a 939 socket. That would be perfect for a code monkey like me.

Anyone know what's up with the K8M890? Or know of upcoming 939 motherboards with on-board everything (audio, lan, video -- preferably dual-display)? Or will I have to go with a socket 754 solution?

Thanks!

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

For now, it would have to be S754. The K8T890 has just hit the streets, and the K8M890 has not been released yet. I do not know when it will start showing up on the shelves--next couple of months maybe.....

So, either one of the SiS chipset mobos, or the VIA S754 solution. I would probably recommend the SiS Mirage2 integrated graphics over the VIA ones, as I have heard of better compatibility and image quality in 2d with the SiS solution--although neither is stellar in any way.

 

[programmer]

Argh. I'd like to get socket 939 for upgradability. I suppose I can start looking for an inexpensive video card. I wonder how much a dual-head DVI costs these days. I have one LCD and one CRT now, but would like to go dual LCD -- makes for easier debugging.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

You might consider the Foxconn SiS755FX mobo. It has a ton of excellent reviews, is 939, and AGP. From what I can see, it is uber-stable and fast. It hangs right in there with nF4. Go and buy an inexpensive video card at that point. The Foxconn board is $94 on NewEgg, I believe. Oh, I am not sure if there are any inexpensive dual-DVI video cards out there. I think that you have to move up to the 6600GT (XfX one for example) and higher to start getting that. I doubt you will ever see a dual-DVI value-based integrated video mobo.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Here is the cheapest dual DVI I could find $155

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-106-153&depa=1

Heres on for $133

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190018

 

[programmer]

Bah, checking the video card prices quickly makes me decide to use this box as a non-video (remote desktop) build machine. I'll go with SiS 760/760GX, socket 754 -- thanks for your recommendation, ChicagoPCGuy!

Looks like the some motherboards (found at mwave) in this category are:

Asrock K8 Upgrade 760 GX
AOPEN s760GXm-S
ASUS K8S-MX
WINFAST / FOXCONN K8S760MG-6LRS

Personally, I've had good luck with Asus boards, and don't have experience with the others. Looks like this will run about $275 for the motherboard (~$75), CPU (~$125 for a 754 2800+ boxed processor), and 512MB RAM (Crucial ~$75). I'm sure I've got enough of everything else to throw together a system.


EDIT: Just saw your second post, ChicacgoPCGuy -- I'll read up on that Foxconn SiS755FX. Thanks!

 

[grooge]

Originally posted by: programmer
Argh. I'd like to get socket 939 for upgradability. I suppose I can start looking for an inexpensive video card. I wonder how much a dual-head DVI costs these days. I have one LCD and one CRT now, but would like to go dual LCD -- makes for easier debugging.

You can find cheap video card too that will give you the dual display option.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Hard SOB to lay hands on but if you can get it it has SurroundView so you can use on-board DVI+the DVI on a add-in card.

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

Originally posted by: programmer

Asrock K8 Upgrade 760 GX
AOPEN s760GXm-S
ASUS K8S-MX
WINFAST / FOXCONN K8S760MG-6LRS

Personally, I've had good luck with Asus boards, and don't have experience with the others. Looks like this will run about $275 for the motherboard (~$75), CPU (~$125 for a 754 2800+ boxed processor), and 512MB RAM (Crucial ~$75). I'm sure I've got enough of everything else to throw together a system.

I would go with the ASRock instead of the ASUS.
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2004/asrock/k8upgrade-760gx/g1.htm

Both have AGP/PCI locks for overclocking, but I don't think you'd be interested in that, right?

I would not recommend the Foxconn SiS755FX. For only $5 more you can get the MSI K8T Neo2-F or the EPoX EP-9NDA3J, which are both much better boards in my opinion.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

ChineseDGNR:

Gotta disagree with you on the Foxconn SiS755FX. Even Anandtech reviewed it and liked it. It has at least five EXTREMELY positive reviews. Just because you do not like Foxconn, and they have put out bad boards in the past, does NOT mean this board is bad. In fact, it seems that this board is quite good. I personally hate MSI, because I have yet to get a MSI board without some sort of issue that did not result in a RMA. BUT, I also realize that there are MSI boards that are good, and some bad. We all have our likes and dislikes, but the this particular Foxconn board has been reviewed to death and the evidence is *against* you on this one.

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

Now, for the SiS760 integrated graphics mobos: I would agree (everyone write this down) with ChineseDGNR that the AsRock SiS760 board is a great one. I have built a number of machines with AsRock boards and they are all quite stable. Even the ones that used two phase power on them. That said, the AOPEN board is good, too. AOPEN usually puts out good stuff.

PS: Programmer--you are welcome. Glad I could be of help. Going the SiS route on the integrated graphics is the right move. The VIA Unichrome graphics SUCK.