need a mobo: suggestions?

[dpopiz]

I need a new mobo pretty fast, so I don't have time to research it much. Here's what I need:
- support for t-bred B
- very good quality integrated sound
- integrated lan, usb2.0
- for me, STABILITY COMES ABOVE ALL
- I would also prefer, if possible, firewire and thermal diode reading

it seems like most boards that fit those points are nforce2. are there any other chipsets I should look at?
what specific models would fit those requirements?

 

[BigJ]

Asus A7N8X Deluxe, or wait a few weeks for the other high-end Nforce2 boards to be released

 

[mechBgon]

If you want stability, also use a top-notch name-brand 400W+ power supply and consider a 650VA UPS. Chain's only as strong as... yep.

 

[dpopiz]

BigJ2078:
A7N8X looks good, but I've read that the layout isn't very good and my AX-7 won't fit on it with the super-close capacitors

 

[mechBgon]

The AX-7 should fit fine. Here's the end-user-compiled AX-7 compatibility list: link

 

[snidy]

Originally posted by: BigJ2078
Asus A7N8X Deluxe, or wait a few weeks for the other high-end Nforce2 boards to be released

When will the high-end Nforce boards be out? And what makes them better?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Quote

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Originally posted by: BigJ2078
Asus A7N8X Deluxe, or wait a few weeks for the other high-end Nforce2 boards to be released
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



When will the high-end Nforce boards be out? And what makes them better?

as bigj said, OTHER high-end nforce2 boards. the asus a7n8x is an example of a high end board. they are better because they offer more goodies. i just recently got the asus myself, it has 4 usb built in and you can add another 4 usb from the mb. it has 2 nics built in. it has serial ata raid built in.

the difference isn't oc'ability or performance but more features on the board.

btw, i love this board.

 

[dpopiz]

the reason I don't think AX-7 will fit is this from the amdmb review:
"The CPU socket is in perhaps the worst location and has the closest capacitors that I have seen on a motherboard to date. Getting the Foxxcon stock heatsink on the Athlon XP 2700+ processor was difficult enough, but I actually had to bend (user beware!) the capacitor in order to fit the Vantec heatsink clip on the socket. And, forget the AX-7 ? don?t even think about it!"

link to review

 

[PlatinumGold]

hmmm

i got an slk800 coming, wonder if that one will fit?

 

[dpopiz]

not to worry, I've heard the slk-800 fits fine