Looking for new Socket A mobo

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fighterpilot

Member
Nov 14, 2003
159
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I have an Abit NF7S v2 mobo. I think my onboard ethernet is acting flakey. I get frequent "A network cable is disconnected" frequently in windows, and the northbridge fan is groaning like its gonna die any time soon even after a thorough cleaning. I also get infrequent hangups, even after a fresh install of Windows. Either way, I believe it is just time to upgrade the mobo.

This PC is used as a family PC for basic web browsing, storing pictures, maintining the household budget, etc. I have more or less updated all the hardware, including case and power supply over the last year, everything but the motheroard.

Is there another motherboard out there that is reliable that I can consider. I am looking for the following requirements:

- Socket A
- AGP 4x/8x
- DDR400 support
- Onboard Minimum two SATA connections
- Onboard LAN
- Onboard Audio

I liked the nForce 2 chipset, but I know that's long in the tooth by now. I'd prefer to keep it an inexpensive upgrade as I just blew a few hundred bucks on my gaming PC.

I am considering the Biostar M7NCD-Ultra or EPOX EP-8KRAI Pro, but of course open to anything else.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions.
 
I

imported_Kiwi

Golden Member
Jul 17, 2004
1,375
0
0
While the Socket A was still a viable platform, no one else ever beat the original NF2 from nVidia, other than nVidia itself, first with NF2/400, then with Ultra. That Biostar is an NF2, possibly a less deluxe one than an NF2-S, but I've had good luck with Biostar products myself. I have liked Epox's products well enough, and they do have a good RMA policy, but they just have had SO MANY of those bad caps leaking and puffing up on all their Socket A boards!

Both of my Epox NF2 boards went bad that way, and both were second hand, without a good original purchase date documentation, so even for a three year warranty, I didn't have the needed receipts.

If you don't get the Biostar, look for a Gigabyte or MSI NF2 Ultra board; you might find one or the other still available new somewhere. There were a couple of NF2's from Gigabyte, the GA-NF2 Ultra400 was the best.


;)
 
Away

Away

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
4,430
1
71
If you can find one, take a look at the MSI K7N2 Delta2-LSR. I had a lot of luck with the K7N2 series boards and you should be able to pick one up for $50-60.
 
F

fighterpilot

Member
Nov 14, 2003
159
0
0
Maybe I'll see if I can find another NF7-S v2.0. It has been reliable for a few years now. Maybe its just a quirk with Windows or my router. I'll give it a little time and see if things get progressively worse or not, and maybe try another windows reinstall.

Thanks for responses.
 
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