Looking for a good MB, again...

[randym431]

needs to have:
onboard dvi out
micro atx format 9.6x9.6
am2 socket
firewire (if possible)
realtek onboard hd audio (5.1)
4 memory slots for dual core 64 x2

Will be using an AMD dual core 64 x2 4600

:sun:

ps.. cheap

 

[Heidfirst]

abit nF-M2 nView
abit AN-M2 (no firewire)
BIOSTAR TA690G (no firewire)
BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 (no firewire)

DFI also do a 6150 mobo & ECS do a 690 (no firewire) that's $50 after MIR at newegg

 

[NXIL]

Dear Randy,

checklist:

mATX AM2
on board video, DVI out
Firewire
Realtek audio, 5.1
4 x DDR2


This one fits pretty much perfectly, and gets good reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130066

Same: Realtek ALC883 sound:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131174

Or:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130065

Ease up on one or two of the requirements, and there are more options:

Consider one of these, which do not have firewire:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...6%2c757%3a7619&bop=And

and a cheap firewire card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...6003%2CN82E16815106002

$10 including shipping, after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815106002

GL

NXIL

 

[renethx]

Combined list:

ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 (RS485) chipset motherboard:
? MSI K9AGM-FID

AMD 690G (RS690) chipset motherboard:
? ASUS M2A-VM HDMI
? MSI K9AGM2-FIH (HDMI only; need an adapter)
? Sapphire PURE Innovation PI-AM2RS690MHD (discontinued?)

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S chipset motherboard:
? MSI K9NBPM2-FID

NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV chipset motherboard:
? abit AN-M2HD (HDMI only; need an adapter)
? ASRock ALiveNF7G-HDready (should be available soon)

 

[dyslexicbunny]

Originally posted by: renethx

NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV chipset motherboard:
? abit AN-M2HD (HDMI only; need an adapter)

Retail comes with an HDMI to DVI cable (looks like 3'). I got the board in this week and looked through the box but I haven't had a chance to build it yet because of school and work. I should get to it this weekend.

The board looks impressive. Plus BUFF on the ABIT forums posted a review for the board from xsreviews: http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/rev...erboards/abit-an-m2hd/

Once I get everything put together, I'll see if I have time to provide some thoughts before I go on travel next week.

 

[randym431]

I hate making these decisions.
So much to chose from, but each has a little quirk, like no spdif bracket or the form factor not exactly 9.6x9.6. Or lack of vista drivers/support.

In a painful decision, I went with the BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2. I liked the JETWAY on newegg but couldnt find one review on Jetway boards. Tried calling their company and the phone answers (doesnt even say their company name) and says "please leave a msg".
Not a good sign...

Yes, the MSI looked good but I'm mad at msi. I got another board from them two months ago (different project), it didnt come with the spdif bracket. So I tried to make one going by their on board pin layout in their manual. Well, it was WRONG!!! They had three pins, one was +5 volts, one ground and one spdif live. However, the manual had the +5 volts and ground pins diagram backwards. So going by their manual (in making your own bracket) you end up shorting +5 volts directly to ground. Nothing like turning your new MB into a toaster. THATS msi for ya...
So I will NOT go with them, no way no how. They own me!