Recommend Me A Board

[nickapalooza]

I'd like to hear some recommendations for my new system. I've already ordered an Athlon XP 3200 (400mhz fsb) chip, and I plan to buy 512mb's of pc3200 Corsair Value ram. I'm a hardcore gamer and would like to hear what kind of board you guys recommend. I like ASUS, MSI, Abit, Gigabyte, nForce chipsets, the good stuff.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I think the DFI Lanparty Nforce 2 Ultra 400 is a good board. Pricy for a socket A board but has great overclocking options from what I've heard. And does anybody know what "Comos Reloaded" does on a board.
DFI Lanparty

Also the Abit NF7-S is a good board too
NF7-S

 

[nickapalooza]

how ar the NF7-S2 and NF7-S2G boards?

 

[Machine350]

I have not had any problems at all with my board. It's pretty inexpensive too.

 

[Ioo]

Originally posted by: nickapalooza
how ar the NF7-S2 and NF7-S2G boards?

I believe the S2 and S2g lack the Soundstorm certification and features.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Ioo

Originally posted by: nickapalooza
how ar the NF7-S2 and NF7-S2G boards?

I believe the S2 and S2g lack the Soundstorm certification and features.

They also lack a buttload of BIOS adjustments that are available to the regular NF7 series. And need a BIOS mod just to enable the board to handle ram @ Cas 2.0

I'd recommend the NF7-S, the DFI or even a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra (approx $55 and a good OCer too) if your not interested in the Soundstorm.

If you can, cancell the order for the 3200+ and get a mobile 2600+ (stepping IQYHA) from excaliberpc.com. They are less expensive and I've never heard of one failing to reach 3200+ speeds easily and at less voltage/heat than the desktop 3200+. You'll need to pickup a HSF unit, even an inexpensive one will get you to 3200+. If you wanna go higher (and these chips regualrly do 2400 to 2500 mhz on air) get a better HS.

Might be able to save enough to get 2 X 512Mb of Corsair value ram. That'll help in games like Far Cry.

Fern