nForce2 board... which is right for me?

[Tigris]

I just finished reading the article on the nForce2 shootout, and I still feel a little indecisive about choosing a good nForce2 board. Cost is a consideration, but functionality and just plain coolness is too. Building a new machine that I will be on for at least 5 or 6 hours a day, between games and programs. I like to think that I need a lot of power. Availability of these motherboards at my local shops is pretty scarce, so if you could offer a link to a good site to purchase from too, that would be awesome.
Thanks for tryin to help a confused MCP out.

 

[human2k]

Get the EPox 8RDA+ which has onboard SOund Storm Sound along with some excellent overclocking adjustments, its under $110 at TCWO.com and Mwave.com................this is what everyone seems to be using, other than the Asus (which cost $40 more).

 

[Tigris]

Anyone else have ideas?

 

[tbates757]

Thread Title: nForce2 board... which is right for me?

Well, I was expecting to come into a thread where you laid out the qualities/features you wanted in an nForce2 board, but didn't find that, maybe you could elaborate a bit?

 

[KidChaos]

Of all the nforce2 boards Abit NF7-S impresses me the most:

- nVidia APU (Awesome sound!, better than audigy)

- meets all Soundstorm requirements

- Firewire

- LAN

- USB 2.0

- ATA133

- PATA-SATA adapter

- SATA (RAID)

- Support for Barton Processors with latest BIOS.

- Good overclocker - 8RDA+ is a better overclocker at this point because it supports higher voltages and Abit has not released it's Overclocker's BIOS yet

- Chipset Voltage Adjustments

- Cost only $126 at NewEgg.com

 

[mechBgon]

One thing to remember is that the Abit isn't equipped with the holes required by bolt-down heatsinks. There are rumors or hopes that a PCB revision will add them, however. Anyone know more about that? edit: see below, looks like they're already shipping 'em

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
One thing to remember is that the Abit isn't equipped with the holes required by bolt-down heatsinks. There are rumors or hopes that a PCB revision will add them, however. Anyone know more about that?

The ones with the holes in them, version 1.1 and beyond are now shipping:

i got this board about 2 weeks ago...and fiured it be cool to have..i set everything up..and i noticed when i was putting the hsf in there where the mounting holes...

If ya buy from another vendor and ya need the mounting holes just call your computer hardware vendor to confirm it has mounting holes.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: KidChaos

Originally posted by: mechBgon
One thing to remember is that the Abit isn't equipped with the holes required by bolt-down heatsinks. There are rumors or hopes that a PCB revision will add them, however. Anyone know more about that?

The ones with the holes in them, version 1.1 and beyond are now shipping:

i got this board about 2 weeks ago...and fiured it be cool to have..i set everything up..and i noticed when i was putting the hsf in there where the mounting holes..i guess i got the v2 nf7-s..lucky me i can use a swiftech ..but theres no ground around the holes to i gotta be carefull lucky me i got a lil extra anyway this runs like a champ...ok ocing but mostly stable board not a great ocer

If ya buy from another vendor and ya need the mounting holes just call your computer hardware vendor to confirm it has mounting holes.

Cool (no pun intended)

 

[Celstar]

I have both the A7n8x and the 8rda+ and i would have to say that the epox board is definitely the better value. They both perform great.

 

[Insane3D]

8RDA+ is tops IMO, unless you need all the extras like Dual LAN and S-ATA that the Asus offers. You can get them here for under $100! :Q

 

[Darien]

Unless you need the extra features of the A7N8x Deluxe, go with Epox. A lot cheaper and a great board

 

[Tigris]

I need the LAN, I have a LIVE! sound card(would this be better than the built in sound on the epox?), I'll be using a GF2 until I can afford a GF4 or 9700, I will start out with 256 megs of ram, upgrade to 512 later, I'll be using a 40 gb hd, until I need more, hmm, what else... two cd drives, possibly a dvd drive later...
I work at a local Gamestop, so I generally pick up the latest and greatest games, so I do plan on having it fast enough to run them. Also for a proc, I think I'll get the 2000 or the 2200, whichever has a better price/performance ratio.

Hope this clarifies a bit.


BTW, you forum guys have a really unique way of being condescending in your own way- you arent god. Sit down. Your opinion is not better than anyone elses, and your IQ isnt better than anyone elses.

 

[cmdrdredd]

the built in audio on the epox is better than the new Audigy 2 soundcards which are the best aftermarket gaming soundcards around.

 

[Bovinicus]

I also like the EPoX 8RDA+. Here is why:
Price
Overclocking potential
Good tech support
Good experience with EPoX

You don't seem to need a whole lot of features. The 8RDA+ will provide you with more than you really need, but for a reasonable price.

 

[Tigris]

well, if I decide to OC at all, what kind of RAM should I be buying? Not super high perf or anything, maybe just middle of the road.

 

[Tigris]

http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/products1-2.aspx?modelid=30
just found this on the sound card.
the audigy 2 has a noise ratio of over 100 db, and 24 bit, so it is a bit better, but still, this sound card is pretty good.

 

[magomago]

It really comes down to price vs. features.

Price wise the 8rda+ wins because of the cheapness/reliability

Feature Wise it goes to the a7n8x deluxe with stuff like Dual Lan, Asus COP, and other things (such as a speaker voice that literally tells you the errors via speakers instead of making random beeps)


It really is youre preference - 110sih dollars + great value or 140ish + extra features

The choice is yours young padawan

 

[Tigris]

hmm, the epox board doesnt take advantage of the sound card, it has 3 1/8th inch ports, most likely spkr, line in, and mic...
its a 5.1 chipset...
this sucks for people that want their surround sound.
Is this changed in any other motherboards?

 

[Spearhawk]

If priece weren't an isue, which would you get the Abit NF7-S or the Expox 8RDA+? In terms of stability and performance (overclocking ability not wished for).

 

[nick1985]

A7N8X!!!!

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: Tigris
hmm, the epox board doesnt take advantage of the sound card, it has 3 1/8th inch ports, most likely spkr, line in, and mic...
its a 5.1 chipset...
this sucks for people that want their surround sound.
Is this changed in any other motherboards?

The board uses the Mic/Line In as the surround/centre/sub channels.

If it wasn't for my Hauppauge WinTV card needing to be plugged into the Line In, then I would much rather have preferred to use the SoundStorm on my 8RDA+ over the Audigy, as I've got it anyway.

I may still make up some kind of adapter so that I can plug the output from the TV card into the CD-In for the SS onboard



Confused

 

[Aganack1]

I love my Asus board. I got it Here for only 134 plus free shipping...

 

[mrman3k]

Get the Asus A7N8X board. It has the most features and performs the best even though it is a bit more expensive.

Also, all Nforce 2 mobos have SoundStorm as that is Nvidia's sound deal which is very good.

 

[LED]

Also, all Nforce 2 mobos have SoundStorm as that is Nvidia's sound deal which is very good.

Incorrect as the NForce 2.0 solution must be the MCP-T chipset and even at that it doesn't mean it'll have the SoundStorm solution (ie Chaintech uses CMedia as theirs)

 

[tart666]

the FIC AU11 just got a glowing review from firingsquad. It is the same board as the Epox (they shared development teams) but it has better sound (NVidia MCP-T) And it got a killer software pack for overclockers. The only minus is no sound storm (digital audio in/out)

And the price is right at $97 shipped from mwave.