Suggestion needed / Opteron vs. rest of the world ?

[Manuwell]

Hi all,

My first build in progress... I have tha case (centurion 532) and the PSU (Fortron AX450) and now looking for the MoBo/CPU set. After reading reviews and posts here and there, I kind of lost track in my choices.

I plan to spend $300-$350 for the Mobo-CPU but don't have clue anymore to where I should turn my eyes on ! Athlon64, Opteron, X2...

Based on your experience, any suggestion will be more than welcome and considered.

Thanks guys.

I won't probably go for SLi or crossfire or whatever

 

[coolpurplefan]

Check out hardforum.com
there`s a thread there in the AMD forum for dual core problems. As a matter of fact, there is a thread in the graphics forum (Nvidia) saying Nvidia admits problems with dual cores and their 8x.xx drivers.

I`d get minimum single core 3700+ and maybe something like an Asus A8N SLI or whatever from Abit, Asus, DFI and MSI with an nForce4 chipset and PCI-Express slot.
If you wanted dual core, you`d need socket 939 to upgrade later. But, if you don`t care for it, I might even get the a socket 754 motherboard and the Newcastle core 3400+ at newegg for $150 US. Then get a Zalman 7000 CPU heatsink and maybe Zalman NB47J with a 40mm fan attached to it if you get an Asus K8N4-E Deluxe to replace the defective northbridge chipset fan. Then get a minimum of Geforce 6800 GS for gaming and you`re all set.

 

[Manuwell]

Thanks for your reply

What about this ? ==>

Epox 9NPA+Ultra
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813123236
+
AMD Opteron 148 Venus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103596

Shipped (and taxed) at 387.64

It's a bit higher than 350 but... huh !

 

[darkdemyze]

You could go a bit cheaper on the board
Has almost the same features as the Epox and its DFI..

DFI Ultra-Infinity ~ $92.85 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136163

 

[Manuwell]

Thanks darkdemyze.

Actually I've read that DFI's were really hungry in power and were kind of tricky for the newbies (as I am).

Don't they need much more power than my Fortron 450W could deliver and don't they need more expensive memory-sticks than other brands mobos ?

Any feelings about the new Asrock Dual-sata SLI32 which is in the same price range ? (I've read that it has no control on the fans, but is it that important ?)

Well... it looks like I should transfer this thread to the Motherboard forum..

 

[robertk2012]

I reccomend the DFI board. They arent that tricky.