Recommendations - need STABLE MB with good OCing

[Jman13]

I'm about to take the A64 plunge, as my AXP 1700+ just isn't cutting it any more. I have decided to pick up an A64 3000+ with an SP-90 HSF, and now.....I need the motherboard. I already have 1GB (2x512) Corsair PC3200 RAM, so I'm set there.

I would, quite obviously, like to take advantage of the overclocking the 3000+ provides, but I won't be watercooling or doing extreme RAM timings...just a good solid overclock. (I've heard most 3000+ chips will reach 2.4GHz with out any trouble...that's about my goal) However, most important to me is a stable and reliable motherboard. I do upgrade components on a somewhat regular basis, but this motherboard and processor will probably be with me for at least 2 years, so I need it to last, and work well.

What do you think? Must be socket 939, and I'm looking to spend no more than $150.

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

AGP or PCI-E video card?

 

[ts3433]

AGP: Epox EP-9NDA3J ($100) is good on a budget; check out the EP-9NDA3+ ($120) or MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum ($140) if you need more features

PCIe (no SLI): Chaintech VNF4/Ultra ($130) is probably your best option under $150, though the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum is close at $160.

 

[Jman13]

Sorry, forgot to mention...I'll be going AGP.

That Epox (EP-9NDA3+) is on my short list....

I suppose I should let you all know what will be going in this thing:

1GB Corsair Value Select PC3200
Seagate 200GB Barracuda
Seagate 80GB Barracuda (both ATA, both already in my machine)
Seagate 80GB SATA (will buy to replace my old 20GB Maxtor as my boot drive)
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (probably will wait about another 3-6 months before upgrading)
NEC 8x DL DVD burner
Lite-On 48x CD-Burner
More USB crap than you can shake a stick at, but that's irrelevant.

I am currently using an old SB Live Value as my sound card, and I'll probably get an Audigy 2 soon, but until then, is the onboard sound that comes with any of these as good as the SB Live? It's not a buying point, but I'm just curious if I should even bother moving this old card to the new system.

 

[MaverickBP]

im also thinking of purchasing the epox board. Zebo and a few others recommend it but they are using the 3J version..not the 3000+. Maybe they dont need the firewire ports. Only thing that concerns me is the 2 sata ports are under the agp slot. anyone with a 6800gt or better care to comment if these are accessible?

 

[acivick]

I'd recommend the DFI Lanparty UT board. It's been rock solid for me. And you get the benefit of great OCing potential.

It also has the 4 SATA ports, so you won't be hindered while OCing, so long as you use the 2 good ports (3+4). They're also accessible with larger video cards, as they are between the proc and video card (See pic).

 

[MaverickBP]

Originally posted by: acivick
I'd recommend the DFI Lanparty UT board. It's been rock solid for me. And you get the benefit of great OCing potential.

It also has the 4 SATA ports, so you won't be hindered while OCing, so long as you use the 2 good ports (3+4). They're also accessible with larger video cards, as they are between the proc and video card (See pic).

isnt that a socket 754? I think hes looking for a 939. could be wrong.

 

[acivick]

Ah, so he is, missed the 939 comment.

Still, if you can wait for the NF4 DFI, I'd bet on that. The support they give on dfi-street.com is several steps above the competition (which sometimes don't even answer emails).

 

[imported_DaveA]

abit av8. stability is something this board is known for, overclocks good too. the asus has the same reputation.

 

[johnh123]

I've got the same question, but I need firewire. What is a good board to OC my 3000, has pci-e, and firewire?
thanks

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: johnh123
I've got the same question, but I need firewire. What is a good board to OC my 3000, has pci-e, and firewire?
thanks

Neo4?

 

[johnh123]

Have people had generally good experiences with the Neo4? I've seen some people knocking it.

 

[Jman13]

Went ahead and got the Epox. Should hopefully be here next week (I live in Germany, so it takes a little while). Picked up the mobo, OEM 3000+, XP90 HSF with a Sunon 92mm fan and a Seagate 80GB SATA HD to replace my aging Maxtor as my boot drive. Can't wait!

Obviously, my Radeon 9600Pro will be my graphics bottleneck, but I'm ok with that, as even now, I get decent performance on something like HL2.

How much of an improvement in things like Photoshop (I do a LOT of photo editing on large, 6MP, 16 bit images) and video encoding do you think I'll see going from my XP 1700+ / 512MB 3 year old Maxtor as the boot drive to my A64 3000+ (probably clocked to at least 3700+ speeds) with 1GB, new SATA HD?

 

[sauria]

Originally posted by: Jman13
Went ahead and got the Epox. Should hopefully be here next week (I live in Germany, so it takes a little while). Picked up the mobo, OEM 3000+, XP90 HSF with a Sunon 92mm fan and a Seagate 80GB SATA HD to replace my aging Maxtor as my boot drive. Can't wait!

Obviously, my Radeon 9600Pro will be my graphics bottleneck, but I'm ok with that, as even now, I get decent performance on something like HL2.

How much of an improvement in things like Photoshop (I do a LOT of photo editing on large, 6MP, 16 bit images) and video encoding do you think I'll see going from my XP 1700+ / 512MB 3 year old Maxtor as the boot drive to my A64 3000+ (probably clocked to at least 3700+ speeds) with 1GB, new SATA HD?

How's your setup running?

 

[impeachbush]

Soltek K8T890pro. I've had it for a 5 days now and I'm impressed. Best of the cheaper PCIe mobo's in my opinion (so far).