Suggestions on which AMD based mobo to buy...

[Jeffwo]

OK...I am wanting a mobo(DDR) that I can use my old 1.0 G. T-bird on right now but be able to later on upgrade to a bigger, more modern CPU.

Oh, yeah, I want a cheap one...LOL. I know the ECS used to be the mobo of choice for us penny-pinchers. What is a good one nowadays? (I don't get time to mess with them as much as I used to)

Thanks in advance for your advice,
Jeff

 

[mechBgon]

One that's inexpensive but nice is the (YES, I'M PIMPING IT AGAIN, DAPUNISHER) Asus A7N266-VM/AA. It has support only up to the 266MHz-bus processors (2400+, or the rare 2600+ with 266 bus) and it doesn't have USB 2.0 or Firewire, but for $60... it does offer

• a three-year warranty
• the excellent nVidia audio processors, with 5.1 analog output plus both laser and RCA S/PDIF-out for Dolby AC3 digital
• passive northbridge cooling
• support for up to 1GB of DDR
• onboard GeForce2MX AGP video plus an AGP slot for upgrading
• holes for mounting four-bolt heatsinks like the Alpha PAL8045

I have a couple dozen at work and one of my own at home. One big downside is that they're about as un-overclockable as mobos get.

If you want something that'll also take 333MHz-based processors and allow OC'ing, consider a Shuttle MN31N, which is sort of like a super-A7N266-VM. Being an nF2 IGP board, official support for 400MHz-bus processors isn't there.

Another interesting one is the nForce2-based Shuttle AN35N Ultra, which has the full-on nForce2 dual-channel northbridge with no integrated video. It doesn't have the fancy MCP-T southbridge with the powerful nVidia audio processors, however. Both of the Shuttles allow overclocking via FSB and multiplier, and do it pretty well, so a 2500+ @ 3200+ might be quite possible with decent RAM, power and cooling.

 

[Jeffwo]

Thanks mechBgon but most of that went right over my head....LOL.

I have been out of the loop for awhile.

I am not OCing anymore. Also, I didn't realize I would need a 333 bus anytime soon.

I see I have some homework to do before buying any mobos.

Thanks anyway,
Jeff

 

[Vette73]

Looking for a cheap board without video then look at the KT600 boards. Very fast and cheap. They also have USB2.0 and support 400Mhz Athlons.

 

[mechBgon]

Hehe, well the short story is that you should be able to drop your Tbird into any of those three, maybe set one or two jumpers, and off you go. The prices range from $60 to $81 before shipping. I guess you could consider the ol' ECS K7S5A too, it's even less expensive and it also allows both DDR memory and SDR memory.

 

[HappyNic]

if you live near a Fry's elec store then it would be a easy choice. They have nice mobo and cpu sale almost daily.
AMD 2000+ with Ecs k7s5a pro for $69,
AMD 2200+ with Ecs k7s5a pro for $79
AMD 2400+ with Ecs k7s5a pro for $99.

If you want you can just get the ECS K7s5a pro at
www.newegg.com for $47 with free shipping and handling.

 

[Jeffwo]

Thanks guys!