Motheboard on budget : K8N-NEO4f or Platinum or A8N-SLI ?

[DetConan]

I am beginning my shopping for a new, but cheap, gaming computer. I read some sites and for the motherboard I am very confused...

My needs are simple :
My CPU will be an Athlon 3200+ (939)
I wont do any overclocking
I do not download video but I will have an IPOD for music (so, do I need Firewire ?)
In the short run, no SLI for me

So, is the K8N-NEO4F is enough ? If I spend a little more for the Platinum, what will I gain ? Finally, at my shop, the Asus A8N-SLI is the same price as the K8N-NEO4-F Platinum, should I think about that one instead, even if I do not intend to use SLI ? In the "Ultimate motherboard selection guide" is not very kind on this A8N... With reason or not ? Is there any big problems with any of these boards (noise, heat, etc.)

Thank you for your help

 

[pkrush]

My Neo4-F is perfectly fine at stock speeds, but extremely flaky when overclocking. I've also had to replace the chipset fan with a passive heatsink after it died. I'd go for the Epox 9NPA+ Ultra probably. What video card are you planning to use? If it's a Geforce 6200 or something, it might be better for you to get one of the Geforce 6150 boards with half-decent integrated graphics.

 

[DetConan]

"I'd go for the Epox 9NPA+ Ultra probably"

As I want to buy the components at my local computer shop, the Epox is not an option. It only carries MSI, ASUS and Abit motherboards. That why I try to choose between the MSI K8N-NEO4F, Platinum or ASUS A8N-SLI

"What video card are you planning to use?"

I plan to use a GeForce 6600GT PCI-E

 

[cr0ssfire]

It's up to you in the end, but I've heard quite a few horror stories associated with MSI's nF4 boards - the most prevalent one being that some of the boards tend to absolutely devour CMOS batteries like there's no tomorrow. I'd go with ASUS.

But if the store has ABIT boards as well, I'd see if you can get your hands on one of their AN8 series boards. Although nobody seems to talk about them on these boards anymore, I don't think they're half bad.