Nforce ideal for all new system?

[slud]

I desperately need to build a replacement for my rig (see .sig below). Is there any reason the below wouldn't be a good component selection?

AthlonXP 1600
DDR266 256MB x 2
MSI K7N420 Pro
Case Fong Kai FK-603
Panaflo L1A or any other slower spinning 60mm fan
Heatsink CCK-6035D or the OCZ Gladiator

I hardly game, but want to do a lot more AV stuff. The IGP will be fine for now, but what I really looking forward to is something like the ATI (blech!) 8500 DV (Digital tuner! RF remote!).

 

[John]

For an all-in-one solution, it cannot be beat right now. I am installing Win XP on my MSI nForce420 as we speak.

 

[slud]

Cool John. Let us all know how it works out for you decent reviews of retail nforce boards are hard to find (*cough* Tom's *cough*).

 

[Bovinicus]

I would recommend it highly, especially if you don't do a lot of gaming. That enables you to take advantage of the integrated video, which for the occasional gamer, or even the hardcore gamer on a tight budget, provides adequate performance. The only reason a lot of people on this forum have trouble with the chipset is because they already have components that meet or exceed the quality of the components integrated into the nForce motherboards, so it would be a waste of money for them. For new systems though, it's the way to go.

 

[John]

nice review of the MSI K7N20

 

[billyjak]

Memory scores are great on that review, I was going to go with the KR7, but now I may change my mind.
I'm sick of the via chipset.

 

[Jabberwock]

Hey John, Im thinking of getting the MSI nforce, but when reading the last couple paragraphs of gamepc's review , they stated it wasnt stable, which really sways my idea of getting this mainboard for my upcoming pc. Anyways, when you get it up and running can you report any stabilities problems you have? Or none, in which case is excellent.

 

[GoldenTiger]

If you're doing AV stuff, the faster memory controller of a KT266A board like the Shuttle AK31A (with four dimm slots!) will suit you better, although without the good built-in sound and the mediocre GF2 MX. Either way you go you're very well off, though .

 

[AGodspeed]

Hey John, Im thinking of getting the MSI nforce, but when reading the last couple paragraphs of gamepc's review , they stated it wasnt stable, which really sways my idea of getting this mainboard for my upcoming pc.

If you read Anand's comment on the MSI K7N420 board during Comdex a couple weeks ago, you'll see that he said that the MSI nForce boards needed a BIOS update for performance/stability related issues, which has supposedly halted a second nForce review from Anand.

In general, I've always been skeptical of GamePC. For example, go take a look at their recent article on the Xeon and Athlon MP systems. The benchmarks are very contradictory compared to what Anand, Ace, and others have documented (besides the fact that they're illogical). Therefore, I wouldn't put too much faith on their nForce review.

In addition, GamePC is the only site that mentions stability issues with the MSI nForce board. In fact, Ace reviewed the MSI K7N420 board a few weeks and said that he never encountered a single problem with it.