Motherboard suggestions needed

sirsleepsalot

Senior member
Sep 26, 2001
228
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I'm looking to build myself a new PC... this time going the Pentium 4 route...

But I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to P4 motherboards... that why I'm here today....

Here are some of the featured that I'd like on the board so if you could recommend something that fits these, I would be ever so gratefull... :p

- AGP 8X
- DDR
- Good overclocking
- Stable
- Onboard LAN is also interesting
- Onboard sound if it's 5.1
- 533MHz FSB (I doubt it is possible to find a board with AGP8X that doesn't support that FSB, but eh.... just in case... :p)
- Locking of PCI and AGP speeds would be a very nice feature...

Aight... thanks a lot !!! :)
 

LouPoir

Lifer
Mar 17, 2000
11,201
126
106
8x AGP - has to be an SIS648 M/B.

Really not a mature chipset. I tried 2 and sent both back. Overclock like crap.

I would forego 8x AGP and go with an I845PE chipset.

Lou
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
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I would look at the SiS648. All the reviews I have seen put it as the fastest DDR P4 chipset.

I think there have been some reviews here at anandtech.com. But the SiS648 is a good chipset.
 

sirsleepsalot

Senior member
Sep 26, 2001
228
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Originally posted by: LouPoir
8x AGP - has to be an SIS648 M/B.

Really not a mature chipset. I tried 2 and sent both back. Overclock like crap.

I would forego 8x AGP and go with an I845PE chipset.

Lou

I've heard similar stories about the SiS648 chipset.... that's why I was hoping the people 'round here would know about another chipset...

I've seen the I845PE chipset on motherboards in the pricelist where I get my parts... do you have a link where I can get more info on it ? (or post some info on it).

Also, I was wondering, is there a significant gain in performance when using AGP 8X or is it not worth my money ?

btw, AGP 8X was because I'm planning on getting a Radeon 9700 Pro...

Anyways, thanks for your input !
:)
 

sirsleepsalot

Senior member
Sep 26, 2001
228
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I'm not really interested in paying for onboard graphics, so that rulez out the Epox board...
but the Asus seems to be an interesting option...
thanks ! :)
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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Not sure.. but why do people always care about useless crap like AGP8X and ATA/133? there is virtually no bonus to either at this current day/time.

don't waste your time looking for an AGP8X mobo or even ATA/133 support for example (although anything new the last few months would have this)

my criteria to pick a good mobo:

company track record/personal experience
expansion of mobo.. 5 or 6 PCI, 3/4 DIMMs.
chipset (kt333, etc)
some onboard features.. (RAID for one)
PRICE - I won't pay Asus, Abit, Soyo prices.
 

dajo

Senior member
Nov 7, 2000
635
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You might want to hold on a bit for reviews of the Asus P4SDX Dual Channel DDR board which should be released in mid-November. This figures to be a big leap in performance.

If you can't wait that long...

I really like my P4S533 board, but then it's the first P4 board I've owned since recently switching from AMD platforms to Intel. Running a 2.4B at 2.826GHz stable. Board is very fast and very stable. Wiredzone has it for something like $92 shipped (look on pricewatch for a promo code).

Anyway, I'd wait about three weeks if I were you to see some reviews of the P4SDX.
 

sirsleepsalot

Senior member
Sep 26, 2001
228
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Originally posted by: dajo

Anyway, I'd wait about three weeks if I were you to see some reviews of the P4SDX.

The only problem with that is that I don't have 3 weeks...
Mine should be leaving sometime this week or next... and me without a PC, just ain't happening... LOL

But it seems the Asus boards are getting really good reviews, so I might go the Asus path...

And from past experience, (with AMD boards), MSI seems to be a really good performer, as well as Abit. Any opinions on these companies ?
 

LouPoir

Lifer
Mar 17, 2000
11,201
126
106
I would go with the I845PE chipset - Asus P4PE or the P4PE/L. You get everything except 8x AGP.

Lou