Need Recommendation For Nforce2 Mobo, Memory

[woolfe88]

I am putting together a new system, middle price range. Have decided to go with nforce 2, Athlon XP 2400.

I don't really have time to research all the motherboard options. Can someone recommend a mobo that I can get online (pricewatch) anywhere from say $80-$100, meaning one that retails for $100-$150?

Also, what speed memory should I get, and do I need 2 sticks? I want 512 mb total.

I won't OC, so that isn't a consideration. Stability is the most important issue for me.

Will use a Radeon 8500, two EIDE HD's, and SB Audigy (from last computer) for the moment. Won't do RAID.

 

[BlueWeasel]

MB
Epox 8RDA+ (or non plus 8RDA version, depending on your needs)

RAM
The 2400+ runs at a 266FSB (133mhz), so you could get by with PC2100. However, with prices as low as they are currently, I would consider getting PC2700 (166mhz) or PC3200 (200mhz). This would allow for O/C'ing and future upgrades for the 333FSB and 400FSB round of AMD chips. Be sure to get 2 sticks of 256mb each to be able to run in dual channel mode - a single stick of 512mb will not allow you to use this feature of the NForce2 boards.

 

[woolfe88]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I was actually considering the Epox.

I read somewhere that using the NF2 in dual channel mode makes very little difference. Is that true?

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: woolfe88
Thanks for the speedy reply. I was actually considering the Epox.

I read somewhere that using the NF2 in dual channel mode makes very little difference. Is that true?

This is what I was thinking too - except if you're using an IGP-equipped board, which has onboard graphics.

Nate

 

[woolfe88]

Yeah, that's what I've heard. And I'm certainly not going to use IGP. I guess it doesn't hurt though, since 1 stick of 512 is usually more expensive than 2 sticks of 256 anyway.

 

[Megatomic]

The dual channel mode on the nForce2 boards also helps in areas like 3D rendering. Check out Anand's article on the nForce2 chipset. You'll see in spec viewperf tests, the dual channel feature helped quite a bit. Though I do realize that few here would use an nForce2 board for real work so this is of little importance overall. This just points out that the dual channel feature isn't completely useless.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I read somewhere that using the NF2 in dual channel mode makes very little difference. Is that true?

As you already mentioned, 2x256 is usually cheaper then 1x512 anyway, but there can be a decent difference comparing single channel to dual channel memory(comparitively, there really isn't that much of a difference between a 2700+ and a 2800+).

If you go with the Epox8RDA+ are you sure you will still want to use your Audigy? Or perhaps I should say, if you are going to use your Audigy and aren't interested in RAID then you likely should be looking at the 8RDA non plus. The NForce2 audio does utilize less CPU cycles then the Audigy, and it has comparable feature support so it may be an option for you to sell off your Audigy and spend the money elsewhere on your rig if the NF2 sound is to your liking.

 

[woolfe88]

Thanks Ben. The "+" is only 10 bucks more, so I figure I may as well have RAID in case I ever decide to use it. Didn't know about the sound being comparable to Audigy. I might consider transferring my Audigy to my wife's comp if that's the case. I am also considering springing another $30 and getting the Asus "Deluxe" NF2 board because I am going to move to Serial ATA when the drives get cheaper and the tech matures (6 months?).

 

[Megatomic]

If you're only going to buy the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe only for the SATA RAID, I'd save those dollars and apply them towards a standalone full hardware RAID card when you decide to do the RAID upgrade. I've used the onboard RAID, albeit PATA not SATA, and while it is nice to be able to connect all those devices up and do RAID with just the motherboard there is a real performance issue going that route. The full hardware RAID controller card is THE way to go if you are serious about the RAID Array. All this is NOT to say that the ASUS board is not nice, it's the cadillac of the nForce2 world.

Just my $.02.

 

[SUOrangeman]

$700 nForce2 system I *have built* for work

Customize to taste/price.

-SUO

 

[novice]

I am looking at the following components from newegg:
MSI K72N-L Nforce 2 motherboard $87
Kingston HyperX PC-3000 2x256 $94
Athlon XP 2400 retail $107
Total incl shipping $288

You could save a buck or two by going with PC-2700, but I figure the PC-3000 should allow a little headroom for overclocking. I would go with the retail CPU for the 3 year warranty.

 

[woolfe88]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
If you're only going to buy the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe only for the SATA RAID, I'd save those dollars and apply them towards a standalone full hardware RAID card when you decide to do the RAID upgrade. I've used the onboard RAID, albeit PATA not SATA, and while it is nice to be able to connect all those devices up and do RAID with just the motherboard there is a real performance issue going that route. The full hardware RAID controller card is THE way to go if you are serious about the RAID Array. All this is NOT to say that the ASUS board is not nice, it's the cadillac of the nForce2 world.

Just my $.02.

I'm actually looking for the SATA than the RAID. I have an obsession with ribbon cables. I can't stand them.

 

[woolfe88]

Originally posted by: novice
I am looking at the following components from newegg:
MSI K72N-L Nforce 2 motherboard $87
Kingston HyperX PC-3000 2x256 $94
Athlon XP 2400 retail $107
Total incl shipping $288

You could save a buck or two by going with PC-2700, but I figure the PC-3000 should allow a little headroom for overclocking. I would go with the retail CPU for the 3 year warranty.

Not too shabby, but I'm starting to get that "price creep" bug. I've got a new job and money burning a hole in my pocket. I don't really need the Asus Deluxe board, but upgrade disease has its grip. I was also starting to consider the XP 2500 (333). Uh, and an 18" LCD. Must. Not. Comply.

 

[BenSkywalker]

MSI K72N-L Nforce 2 motherboard

I wouldn't reccomend the K7N2-L, that's what I'm running currently. Overclocking on the board is a PITA, but ignoring that as it has been stated that that isn't an issue the K7N2L ships with 2 channel sound, no RAID and no SATA. If I had it do to over again, I would without hesitation spend the extra money for one of the boards with the 6 channel nForce2 audio(either the A7N8X Deluxe or ERDA+ probably).

 

[Dug]

Do some research on SATA. There are reports of data corruption coming about after a few months use.
Don't know if its the controller or the drives. But I would suspect its the controller.