New mobo- Quality vs price

[1sikbITCH]

I don't make a ton of money, and so am slowly piecing together a new rig. Just ordered: Barton 2500+, and think I've settled on Corsair 3500 but don't have the money yet.

Main focus: OC'ing. My brother has ordered me a Peltier and I will be saving for a watercooling kit. I will be definately going for maximum OC, but I'm not out to break any records. I would like a board where I can unlock the clock multiplier though.

I have browsed the threads and pretty much settled on the Abit NF7-S. However, it's a bit pricy compared to the last board I bought, and if I can get away with something cheaper (but still a nice board), I would most likely do it. Should I stick with the Abit or are there other cheaper boards I should check out?

 

[wicktron]

Stick with the Abit.

 

[mdcrab]

Shuttle also makes some very good boards than are an excellent value for the money.
Newegg has the AN35N-Ultra for $66 shipped.
Reading the ratings by reviewers, most are running Barton 2500+ at speeds equivalent to 3200+ and some at 3400+.

Does not have all the frills of an Abit NF7-S, but you may want to consider it as a lower cost alternative. If you have the bucks go with NF7-S.

mdcrab

 

[mdcrab]

PS. The Shuttle is a quality mobo. It is more of a question of Features Vs Price than Quality vs Price.

mdcrab

 

[MDE]

I'd get the Abit. The NF7 should OC just as much as the NF7-S, it just won't have SATA, FireWire, or SoundStorm.

 

[Corporate Thug]

nf7-s was $89 a newegg/zipzoomfly. may wann look into it