Looking for a solid socket 754 mobo.

[basslover1]

Hey guys, like it says I'm lookin for a mobo since I'm building a new PC hopefully late next week or the week after that. Anyway, I'm lookin for suggestions that are under 100 bucks. I've decided to go with the A64 3200+ socket 754 cpu and would like a compitent mobo to pair it with. On board LAN isn't a must but if it has it, it's just one less thing for me to buy. I have no use for Firewire so I don't need one specifically with it. Also a good on board sound card would be nice since 100% of the time I'm using my pc I'm listening to music through my HT setup.

Thanks.

 

[Peter]

There are SiS 755 chipset boards from ECS and ASRock, which are WAY below $100, stable, no-nonsense, good performance at stock speeds.

Stability is in your choice of RAM and power supply. Don't skimp there.

 

[Ketchup]

I am very happy with my Epox 8KDA3J. It has onboard SATA, Gigabit LAN, and great onboard ALC 850 Audio. It is also a great overclocker's board. Newegg is currently selling it for $73.

 

[BW86]

Epox 8KDA3J or Chaintech VNF3-250

 

[basslover1]

I've been lookin at the Chaintech and it seems like a good board, read a review that anandtech did for that one and like 3 or 4 others. The Chaintech faired pretty well for being the only sub-$100 board they tested.

Anyone know some key differences between the Chaintech and the Epox?

Thanks.

 

[jdogg707]

Epox has more features due to its use of the nForce3 250GB chipset, opposed to the Chaintech using the nForce3 250. I would go for the Epox

 

[Shimmishim]

the epox was a great board but it was just too fickle for me so i got the dfi board...

i'd say get the epox as it was a good board but i've heard lots of good stuff about the chaintech as well...

i dunno if the chaintech supports 7.1 audio though

 

[basslover1]

Hmm thanks guy, might be leaning towards that Epox cause it has the 10/100/1000 built in Lan.

 

[osage]

with the price at NE down to $73.00 and free shipping it looks like a real bargin.

Link

 

[CraigRT]

Soltek K8AN2E-GR.. great board, gigabit LAN, and IMO very decent onboard audio. stable as hell too.. typical Soltek.