Need advice on nForce platform

[moosey]

I am building a system with a 15" LCD. the system will not be for gaming, just regular Internet and typing. I want to know if the integrated video will produce good image quality on the LCD. Also, what is the difference between the nForce chipsets (like 420, 415d, 420d)? I want one with sound and video, but nothing else integrated. I also want a good performing/stable one. Finally, how are these chipsets rateed in terms of reliability and stability?

 

[AGodspeed]

Since you're going to need good image quality on your LCD, I suggest you go with just a regular motherboard and a separate video card instead of an nForce solution. Maybe an ATi Radeon card and Shuttle AK31A motherboard. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if you'll notice any difference in image quality between ATi video and nForce video since your monitor is just 15". Let me get into the particulars anyway and someone who knows more about image quality on 15" LCD screens can comment.

nForce 420-D chipset: includes integrated video, NIC, modem and nForce sound (the "D" prefix). ASUS, MSI, and Abit make 420-D motherboards.

nForce 420 chipset: includes integrated video, NIC, and modem. No motherboards are made with this chipset

nForce 415-D chipset: includes NIC, modem, and nForce sound. ASUS has motherboards made with this chipset. One ASUS is with sound and one is without sound. MSI and ABit will release their 415-D boards soon.

In terms of reliability and stability, my MSI K7N420 Pro motherboard (420-D chipset) has been absolutely awesome. It's very fast, stable, and was a cinch to install. Most people agree with me.

See this thread for more info on nForce.

Good luck!

 

[Athlon4all]

I agree with AGodSpeed on everything he said, except I dunno anything about LCD image quality sorry!

 

[GreenLantern]

<< nForce 420 chipset: includes integrated video, NIC, and modem. No motherboards are made with this chipset >>

Asus A7N 266 uses the 420.

 

[AGodspeed]

<<

<< nForce 420 chipset: includes integrated video, NIC, and modem. No motherboards are made with this chipset >>

Asus A7N 266 uses the 420. >>

It doesn't use the onboard NIC (but it does have a separate Realtek NIC) and I believe it doesn't have the modem fucntionality (I might be wrong though).

So you're semi-right.

 

[synk]

i think all the oems chose to use realtek w/their nforce boards. i think all the realtek component of the nic is just mainly the physical interface. the nforce component takes care of the i/o processing for the nic.