Plz Help me get a good MoBo

[Ruroni]

I have a request...

I'm contemplating getting an nforce2 ultra 400 MoBo, as I have fried my Aopen. The one criteria that I really look for is a MoBo that has the mounting holes, because I have the Zalman 7000cu Heatsink & fan. I guess along that same line of thought, I need a MoBo that gives me space (around the CPU) to install the HS&F. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited, specially suggestions with references (links) so I can understand why I'm choosing what I'm choosing

I have done some research on the web and I was thinking of the A7N8X Deluxe, but there are so many flavors, variants, and revisions of this thing, that I'm not sure how exactly to pick the right one,.
There is: ST,S, 400, IGP, MTV VMA, SPP, down with OPP, MCP-T, MC,DMX, RUN DMC, LL COOL J And then there are different Revisions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0? It gets a bit overwhelming for me...

I would like Firewire, USB2.0, and ethernet; I want to be able to overclock my CPU and Memory... I don't care for an integrated Video Card since I have a couple of good Vid Cards to use. I also am not sure if I want integrated sound, as I own a SB Live! XGamer 5.1.

Are the integrated soundcards better or worse than SB Live! XGamer 5.1?

How do I know if my memory got hurt? If it works, that means that it is fine? Or could it work and still be somewhat damaged? How would I check for it's integrety ?
EDIT:(same Q. for my HDD)?

And last but not least, since I already dropped some $$ on an nforce2 MoBo I don't want to pay a lot for a muffler.

Ease of installation, specially when slapping on the components (VidCard, Memory, PSU connector, etc, etc.) is always a nice comodity

So... Anyone care to help me? But please, skip this post if you're going to half ass make a suggestion. I don't mean to be a picky begger but I've already done some research, and what I'm looking for is bit more fine tuning from people that really know the ropes (at least as well as me or better; which isn't very hard, since I know next to nathan)

 

[DahDee]

Well, I'm no expert, but I'll try to help anyway!

I've heard great things about that Asus mobo, it's generally gotten excellent reviews from critics and users. Supposed to be easy to install and use (i.e., for overclocking).

This version of the A7N8X (Deluxe) is $123.00 at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16813131436

Sounds like you don't need an -M (onboard graphics) version. I'm pretty sure if you get a version below 2.0 you can update it, so I don't think the version is that big a deal, but others who know more about the board can fill you in better than I can.

I've heard some say the Soundstorm rivals Audigy sound; others say even SBLive is better than Soundstorm, so it seems hard to say. You could always try the Soundstorm, and if you don't like it just disable the onboard sound and install the SB card.

I think a lot of people use memtest86 to check for RAM problems; here's a link: http://www.memtest86.com/

 

[Ruroni]

 

[Ruroni]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the info...

I had noticed the ****official A7N8X**** thread, but what I find there is mostly people having issues with the board, more than whether or not it's the board to go wit. Besides i'm not married to any board just yet...

I'll have to checkout the memtest in a little while, but it seems interesting.

Again, thanks

 

[DahDee]

Ah, I thought you were pretty much settled on the Asus. If not, consider the Albatron KX18D Pro II that I've been raving about recently (see thread in this forum). Seems like I'm the only one here who has it so far (it's (still?) the newest Ultra400 board out), but it's gotten great reviews (see links in another AMD board thread).

Links:

My KX18D Pro II thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1145800

That other AMD board thread with my review links on the KX18D Pro II: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1155482


EDIT: Good grief, never mind on the KX18D Pro II -- it does not have the HSF mounting holes. Sorry!

 

[BigEdMuustaffa]

Originally posted by: DahDee
Ah, I thought you were pretty much settled on the Asus. If not, consider the Albatron KX18D Pro II that I've been raving about recently (see thread in this forum). Seems like I'm the only one here who has it so far (it's (still?) the newest Ultra400 board out), but it's gotten great reviews (see links in another AMD board thread).

Links:

My KX18D Pro II thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1145800

That other AMD board thread with my review links on the KX18D Pro II: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1155482


EDIT: Good grief, never mind on the KX18D Pro II -- it does not have the HSF mounting holes. Sorry!

There is a way around the HSF mounting holes. There is a device you can buy. I read it in a post somewhere they have a link to it. Anyone remember the post?

 

[Ruroni]

Actualy I've been hearing a lot of pull towards the NF7-S... I hear it's every bit as good as the ASUS only it's a tiny bit stabler on the BIOS and it's a few bucks cheaper cause it doesn't have 2 NICs... And for the most part, it seems that most people say that the soundstorm KILLS my SB LIVE and is better than Audigy and is on par with AUDIGY II...