my motherboard died.... so what do you think of this one?

[yeedog]

I was looking around and saw good reviews of the Epox 8RDA. Only 88 bucks from newegg too. Is this a good choice? I was thinking of the 8RDA+ since I could save a PCI slot with the onboard LAN, but then I figured what the hell and i'll buy a new CPU too and i'll save the 20 bucks to put it towards that.

So I'm thinking the Epox 8RDA, but with which CPU? I'm comming from a T-Bird 1.4, non XP version. So anything will be a good upgrade. I don't know about overclocking right now, but i guess that is always in the cards for the future.

I was thinking of a Barton AthlonXP 2500 which is 176 at new egg. Is this a good price for the CPU or would i be over paying still? Cash is limited, but if i would benifit alot i might be able to squeeze it. I do alot of video editing and audio work on the computer so the more CPU the better i think.

If i shouldn't get the above CPU, what would you reccommend? I have never overclock, but i guess it's never too early to learn. I just don't want to mess anything up big time. I noticed that an XP 1700+ is only 65 bucks at newegg. So that's a definite good price, but will I be getting a good upgrade from my current CPU, which is a AMD T-Bird 1.4.

Decisions decisions, i like to order tonight or tomorrow. So tell me your opinions!

Thanks!

--Brian

 

[ScrapSilicon]

the TBird 1.4 is i a C chip or B chip..if still in your possession..? I'd go with the new Soltek nF2 ..thread over in MB forum...from a 1.4 ..you really should either that Barton or a 2100+(around $85 to 90ish)

 

[yeedog]

hmm i'm not sure with version of the TBird that I have. I'm not even sure if it still works or not as the motherboard doesn't even post. So the CPU could have gotten fried too for all i know.

That Soltek SL-75FRN-L sounds lieka great board from the reviews I just read. Seems like it's right up there with the Epox 8RDA. It will be a tough decision...

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Get this SL-75FRN2-L, it has the MCP-2 C1 southbridge, A3 northbridge, 5.1 sound instead of the 2.1 on the 8RDA and the software bundle is sweet.

 

[yeedog]

awesome thanks DAPUNISHER. Only 83.00 too, that's 10 dollars cheaper then newegg. I porobably won't need the build in audio as i already have a nice 6.1 sound card, but it's always good to have. I couldn't find what the software package was that comes with this motherboard though.

It should work great with the Barton 2500 that i think i'm going to get from newegg

 

[NokiaDude]

Only thing I'll every recommend: Abit AT7-MAX 2

:Q:Q:Q

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Actually it's 5$ shipping so it's 88$ delivered and it's the FRN2 not the one Newegg has, I read the difference is the MCP-2 southbridge and the bios has FSB up to 250mhz.