Seeking Mainboard Recommendations

[selkie]

Hi all,

I need some advice for a good mainboard to go with a new P4 2.4C chip which I'll be getting soon.

My ideal mainboard will be from MSI or Asus but there are just too many variety out there for me to choose. Hence, there are a few questions which I hope someone can help me clear my doubts.

What is the difference between the following Intel chipset:
[*]Intel 865P
[*]Intel 865PE
[*]Intel 865G

Also, I notice that many board supports Dual DDR channel. Can I know what is mean by this? Am I right to assume that I need to have 2 sticks of memory plugged onboard or so?

Here are a few mainboard I have in mind...:

MSI 865PE Neo Series
MSI 865PE Neo2 Series
MSI 865PE Neo2-PS Series

Also, does these board support old graphics card such as Voodoo 3 2000? I intend to get a new graphics card with at least 128ram DDR but I'm not sure which suits me best. This machine will be used for work, cad design and occasional gaming (such as flight simulation etc).

My budget is not high. Hence, the 875P chipsets and highend graphics card is out of question.

All suggestions welcomed!

Thanks in advance

 

[o1die]

If you're not overclocking, the msi board will work ok. But the abit Is7 is just a few dollars more, and overclocks more stable. Another good choice is the albatron 865pe pro at only $80 shipped at newegg. They're supposed to get some more in today.

 

[egale]

The Asus P4P800 is a nice mobo.

To run Dual channel, you need two identical sticks of Ram. With a "C" processor, you need PC3200 or better. If the sticks are not identical, the system will only run in single channel mode. Dual channel is significantly faster.

As far as your video card goes, I assume your older card will work. But, if you plan on doing any gaming at all, you really need to upgrade. Either NVidia or ATI based cards will do. Don't get overly caught up in benchmarks as in real world apps, you probably won't see a difference. Buy the best one you can afford but for light gaming you certainly don't need top of the line.

 

[selkie]

Is it alright if I run it on a single stick of ram (IE: 512MB DDR)? or would you recommend 2x256MB?

So, do you have any graphics card in mind for recommendations? My friend wants to sell me a GeForce FX 128DDR but I'm not too sure about the specification of the card yet.

Thanks

 

[cockeyed]

I recently bought a refurb MSI 865PE Neo2 for $49. I'am waiting for an I/O plate to come in the mail before I install it. I plan on getting 2 - 256mb (2 channel pack) of Kingston value ram and a P4 2.4 or better, eventually. In the mean time I will run my P4 1.6a and old ram. MSI has a list of tested ram on their website and also a bunch of new drivers/software for this mobo. I use a 9800np and I would suggest a 9600 Pro or 9800np if you could wait and save-up the extra cash. Watch the Hot Deals forum for a good deal on these. I think I saw a Circuit City 9800np deal for $200; A 9600 Pro would cost less. These boards literally blow away a Vodoo 3 2000 ( I had one) which was a nice card in its day.

 

[selkie]

Alright! Thanks for the recommendations

 

[Breezie]

MSI 865PE Neo2 Series- supposively awesome! hehe i just bought one but havnt built it yet- supposed to be faster then the abit one plus has onboard raid controller-- has PAT technology making it just as fast (if not faster) then the 875 chipsets =)

 

[selkie]

Breezie, can I check with you if the mainboard of yours (Neo2 series) uses AMI bios?

Hmm, I have bad experience with phoenix bios (can't change clock settings etc). What about AMI bios? Is it as customizable as Award Bios?

 

[Breezie]

http://www.pinoypc.net/hardware/msi-865pe-875p/bios1.jpg

http://www.pinoypc.net/hardware/msi-865pe-875p/bios2.jpg

http://www.pinoypc.net/hardware/msi-865pe-875p/bios3.jpg

there are some pix of the bios- its AMIBIOS btw

 

[selkie]

Hey Breezie! Thanks for the pics You captured them?

 

[Breezie]

i got it from a site that had a review on it =) i'm still waiting for my 3.0c ghz to come in the mail (saturday or monday)- then i'm gonna build it- gonna try to use that onboard promise card raid thing with two 160gb maxtors =)