Looking for the right board...

[djfriedhoff]

Hi,

New to this forum, and back from a LONG break in the hardware arena...

Here's my current rig:

1.4Ghz Thunderbird
Abit KT7A
640MB Crucial PC133 CAS2
Radeon 9700 Pro
Live! Platinum 5.1 w/ Live!Drive
PCMCIA PCI adapter
Intel Pro 100 NIC
USR PCI 56k modem
Hauppaugue (sp?) PCI TV tuner card
LG DVD-ROM
Yamaha CR3200EZ
Zip 100
USB mouse, scanner, video camera, joystick

I'd like to replace my mainboard with something 'upgradeable' - for now everything gets moved over (except the RAM) - will probably purchase a faster CPU in the next couple months. I'd REALLY like to hear some mainboard/memory combo suggestions.

I've been eyeing the Asus A7N8x Deluxe, but am not sure about compatibility, etc. Probably Crucial RAM, unless there's a definite advantage going another way...


THANK YOU!

 

[Kartajan]

Since you are running an abit board now, I will assume you are an abit fan....

nforce 2 board

keep this in mind. MNForce2 runs best synchronously. (266 MHz FSB processor- ddr266 <PC2100>ram, 333 MHz- ddr333<PC2700>, etc.)


the only memory I run is crucial xms. (currently on PC2700), but hey- it's your money...

 

[djfriedhoff]

Is it OK to buy faster RAM with the expectation that the CPU will be upgraded shortly?

Also, what kind of quality difference will I see with integrated 5.1 audio as opposed to my Live! Platinum 5.1?

No performance/compatibility issues with the NForce chipset and my Radeon video?


Thanks!

 

[Kartajan]

you can buy whatever speed of ram you want. for example, i have pc2700 ram, but my board doesn't run it at full speed.

just make sure you keep it running synch in the bios, and not async..

sound quality should be about the same, maybe better- depending on who you ask.

i am not aware of any issues with nf2 & radeon cards, but ask around- maybe somebody who has one can answer tha for you.

 

[DoubleL]

I just built a A7N8X Dluxe with a AIW 9700 Pro and have no problems at all with it, The sound will be about the same with the 5.1 SoundBlaster, I run the sound cards cause I mix a lot of music and need the live drive, I went with the Audigy 2, Cost a lot but as soon as you play something it blows you away