Stable p4 mobo

KuRnUp · Mar 31, 2003

i am building a computer for someone else, and i need a good reliable p4 mobo with certian features. price is a large issue, ut quality is also very important.

(plz dont lecture me on the fact that amd is better, i have a 2100+ and a a7n8x dlx myself, so im not biased)

anyways, i need a mobo with:

*overheating protection

*sound not an issue because i will be buying a very nice sound card to go along with it

*agp 8x not needed due to the fact that the system is mainly for music and not extremely graphics neccisary

*stability is a very very big conearn, so a stable mobo is key

*Dual channel ddr would be NICE, BUT unneccisary unless it just happens to be there

*needs to support high-end cpu's (prob going to get in the 1ghz-2.53ghz range, just want upgradability options)

i cant think of any other things that i need on the mobo, or dont need for that matter.
personally i like asus, but thats just me, any other manufactuers that have good mobos are also being considered. just coice your opinion, and thanks in advance for your input.

~KuRnUp

AgaBoogaBoo · Mar 31, 2003

Seems like an Intel motherboard is right for you. While they won't have any fancy overclocking features or dual-channel ram(yet), if you use them with care (no overclocking), then they'll perform rock stable for you. Please don't flame me for this but I always find Intel mobo to get the job done without any problems the right way.

RanDum72 · Mar 31, 2003

If stability is the utmost concern, get an Intel-made motherboard. Idiot-proof too as there are almost no settings in the BIOS you can set that would mess it up.

AgaBoogaBoo · Mar 31, 2003

Originally posted by: KuRnUp

*agp 8x not needed due to the fact that the system is mainly for music and not extremely graphics neccisary

Just to let you know, even if it had AGP 8X support, it wouldn't help since today's games don't use that much bandwidth.

Acanthus · Mar 31, 2003

the Asus P4T533-C is a very stable high performance motherboard
im also loving my new MSI 655 MAX-FISR at the moment

If you like stability, avoid Iwill, Amptron, and ECS. They are hit and miss brands that have some horrible models, and some others that are a very good value, i avoid them altogther.

mrzed · Mar 31, 2003

I just advised my best friend to go with Intel in a similar situation. He doesn't overclock, and he does audio, where compatibility with obscure apps is a big issue. After dropping 6-700$ on new software, he spends days trying to get it working on his KT133 board.

I just bought a KT333 based board myself. I'm not biased, and I suspect I could get it all working fine on my computer, but I did agree with him that if compatibility was the single biggest factor then Intel chipsets rule. I told him he had to go any 845, but obviously newer is better for future proofness, but more expensive. He went with an Intel 845pe motherboard. He had it all installed that afternoon, and all his finicky audio apps working without a hitch the next day. This is from a guy who only really tinkers with his computer by installing and uninstalling his own parts and apps, but never really playing with settings, overclocking, etc.

It was wierd seeing that bare Intel Bios screen, and having to dig in the manual to find out it's F2 to enter the minimal settings. No text at all on booting, just a logo.

But it was so easy. Excellent quality, retail Intel CPU installed with the black goo pad. Damn it felt wierd putting an inferior cooling solution on because it is the only legal way to get the full warantee.

oldfart · Mar 31, 2003

Overheating protection is built into the CPU. An 845PE based mobo fits the bill. An Intel brand mobo is a good bet as well as Asus, EPoX, Abit, Albaton,Gigabyte. There are a lot of good PE bpards to choose from.

EdipisReks · Mar 31, 2003

i've had great luck with Abit and EPoX, both AMD and Intel.

MikeMike · Mar 31, 2003

Abit IT7 max boards are amazing!!! even o/ced it is stable as a rock, and has a pci/agp lock, i think there is one for sale curently in FS/FT for around 90$, not sure though

i have one in my computer, and it has been up for about 3 days no, i had to restart due to installation of new drivers.

Never once has restarted unless the voltage to the proc was to low, and can support my pc3200!!

KuRnUp · Mar 31, 2003

ok, i thought of a few things that i wish to add to it all.

i want to put either a zalman fanless heatsink on my video card or have good integrated video. when i say good integrated video, i mean that the thing will run, and run well, it will likely NEVER be used for anything even slighly graphic in nature, so integrated video may be the way to go. i see a lot of ppl commenting on things about mobo's, and thats great, but more reccomendations would be helpful. i know a bit about mobo's myself, and am fully aware of the numerous manufactuers. basically stable, integrated video, and overall quality.

thanks a bunch for your responses, been quite helpful so far.

nick1985 · Mar 31, 2003

asus p4pe

gregor7777 · Mar 31, 2003

Epox branded boards have always been my first option, but if there isn't going to be any tweaking going on, you can't go wrong with an Intel branded board.

KuRnUp · Mar 31, 2003

ok, ive been doing some more lookin around, and i noticed only 2 asus boards with integrated 3d video, the one mobo i focused on eventually was the P4GE-V, what do you think about that one?? anyone? im going to look for some reviews too. Its an asus mobo.

MikeMike · Mar 31, 2003

Here ya go

here this is the mobo i am referring too, and this is a great price for it!!!

it has
onboard lan
sound
raid
(only problem is that it has no legacy ports (no PS/2 Serial, just get them usb stuff)
USB 2.0
Firewire

or you could look at the IT7 max v. 2
it has all the above, and has legacy ports
both are amazingly stable mobo's!

MistaTastyCakes · Mar 31, 2003

If you're looking for cheap dual channel try the low end Gigabyte SiS655 mobo or the MSI Max 655-LS. If you're not overclocking, add in the Asus P4SDX as well. All are under $150 and are some of the fastest P4 solutions available right now with all the features you're looking for.

Amorphus · Mar 31, 2003

<sarcasm>
you want quality? get AMD
</sarcasm>

yeah, I like AMD myself. just wanted to stick in a snide comment.

you working within a specific price range, or is price not an issue?

Gigabyte SINXP-1394 is nice, I think. just sorta expensive. your friend might like the firewire support, too.

GnomeCop · Mar 31, 2003

Look at my sig/rig

I have the intel "Ble Mountain" D845PEBT2 (845PE chipset), it is an awesome board. Very stable.

the asus ones are nice too

KuRnUp · Mar 31, 2003

price is a HUGE issue, because everything is adding up, and im trying to make the best sound recording system for the least amount of money. the mobo and cpu are going up to about $300, which is a HUGE amount of the price at the moment. what i am basing this off of is a p4 2.4 533fsb 512cache for $160 and the asus P4GE-V/L for $145.00. is it a good idea to try to get integrated video or get a crappy video card and a zalman fanless hs for it and a diff mobo?? this mobo and cpu are beginning to become the most troubling aspect of the progect.

mrzed · Apr 1, 2003

Integrated video should be fine, but if you are worried about getting a zalman VGA cooler, don't. Many low end video cards these days don't come with a fan anyhow. Try a radeon VE/7000 series, or a Matrox if you can get one cheap. Both have excellent 2D (important for audio apps with lots of tight detail) and no fan.

I was surprised to notice that Intel branded boards are actually price competetive around where I live. Cheaper than Asus, about the same price as most of the other tier one board makers. If price is a big issue, maybe go one step down in processor, or get a slightly older board at the possible expense of the future proofness.

If you are trying to keep it quiet for audio, it's worth spending money on a good PSU. You get better quality and lower noise.

KuRnUp · Apr 1, 2003

i very much so agree that a good ps is key. i myself have a 420w antec truepower, it was worth the money. i am thinking of getting the zalman ps, because its only about $66 and very quiet.

my other option, instead of going intel, would be getting a low-end amd mobo with an 1700+ and a ati 7000, as you said. its beginning to go that way because of the fact that all of the intel products are just getting pretty damn expensive.

what do you all think?

integrated video, or a cheap card?

amd or intel?

keep in mind that this is for audio recording/listening, so that is the largest concearn.

Stable p4 mobo

Member

Lifer

Diamond Member

Lifer

Lifer

Senior member

Lifer

Platinum Member

Lifer

Member

Lifer

Platinum Member

Member

Lifer

Golden Member

Diamond Member

Diamond Member

Member

Senior member

Member