Please help me find a solid AM2 mobo...not a lame post

[mmarcuse]

To start with, I have read through the recommendations section and done some research - this isn't a 'use the search, idiot' post.

I need an AM2 mobo with the following -

Firewire
4xDIMM slots
2 PATAs (this is rare lately)
As many PCI slots and SATAs as possible
It also MUST be easy to use in Vista (especially audio drivers)

I've gone through the recommendations thread and NONE fit that description. So I tried paring down some from Newegg's compare features, and I can't find reviews on most of the 8 boards I narrowed it down to.

So is there anyone out there using a board or know of one that's solid but fits the needs listed above? I hate the idea of buying a mobo without some good reviews, otherwise you get stuck with cool boot problems and won't restart issues and I can't have that stuff.

Thanks so much for any help you can provide...

 

[Gary Key]

1. uATX or ATX?
2. Overclocking or not?
3. On-board video or not?

 

[mmarcuse]

Thanks, Gary, good points!

ATX
Non-Overclocking is fine
No onboard video (although I can always disable if it's on a board with my requirements). I have a PCI-Express X1650XT.

 

[ItsAlive]

Im using this board and its stable as a rock so far. I'm not really sure how much you are looking to spend, but for $80 this board is a steal in my opinion.

Edit: Just wondering, what CPU do you plan to run on it?

 

[NXIL]

The DFI board mentioned above does look good.

About 32 boards on Newegg meet your criteria:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productco...96%2CN82E16813131024%2CN82E16813138029

Filtered for ones with better reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productco...96%2CN82E16813131024%2CN82E16813138029

HTH

NXIL

 

[mmarcuse]

I have a AM2 5200+. Dang, lots of choices here. Price isn't really a big issue (under $150 or so) because I got the CPU and video card for free. I recoup my costs selling my old pc anyways, so I just want a nice rig.

That DFI is looking pretty tasty after reading reviews. The SLI version is only $5 more, so maybe I'll just get that. For $5 it's worth some minor futureproofing. The one you have can be soft or hard modded to SLI, but for $5 it's not worth the trouble.

Oh, and another question - isn't Nforce 4 technology a bit older? Am I better off with a more recent chipset, or is NForce pretty good (especially in Vista).

 

[ItsAlive]

Yeah, Nforce 4 is an older chipset, since price isnt a real big concern for you then one of the 500 series boards might be a better choice. Although, drivers should be a bit more mature for the Nforce 4. Im fairly certain the DFI board supports all the Windsor chips, but if you choose to swap for a brisbane anytime in the future you may need to do a bios update.

I havent had the pleasure of running Vista yet, so I really cant comment on how the board performs in the new OS. It runs great in XP pro tho.

 

[NXIL]

nForce4 is Vista compatible:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce4.html

600 series:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce_600a.html

500 series:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce5_amd.html

It seems to me that in reading chipset reviews/comparisons, the speed differences between them are extremely small (scores of 6318 versus 6411, etc)--so to be honest, I do not think there is a huge difference between the various nForce versions--

HTH

NXIL