*** The ULTIMATE Motherboard Selection Guide For New Users ***

[mlegower]

New to the boards, planning my second build. Did my first one probably 4 years ago and I'm still using the system, but it''s getting pretty long in the tooth.

Abit KR7A-RAID
Athlon XP 1800+
Radeon 9500
Soundblaster Audigy Gamer

Obviously, my current system is a huge dead end. I'm looking to build a new computer that will (hopefully) last me another 4 years and I know the key to that is a good motherboard. I'm looking at using an Athlon X2 3800+ and looking for SLI support, SATA II, Gigabit LAN, and all that good future-proofing stuff, but overclocking is not a huge priority. I didn't do it with my current system and while I may venture into it with this one, I'm not looking for huge gains in that department. I'm just looking for a solid system that I can upgrade down the road if need be. Any suggestions on a board and what I can expect to spend on said board? Thanks alot.

 

[imported_Super]

bump, subscribe for future referencing. thanks OP

 

[myztikgohan]

This thread would be even more helpful if any of the questions asked in it were being answered.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Hey again,

A little breather due to vacation. I usually try to avoid giving direct answers like "Get this board", etc and I prefer recommendations instead. Its you who has to be confident in your purchase.

To the posters above: There's too many questions to answer individually. I can give you some general advice though
The board you choose ultimately depends on what you want to use it for. Not everyone needs an overclocking board, not everyone will be overclocking, and not everyone needs every feature. Some of you said that you're building computers for your parents - no need for a high end system, and most of them won't have use for a graphics card. Why not get a recommended nVidia 6150 board*, such as the ASUS A8N-VM CSM board.

*I really ought to write a section on integrated video. my apologies.

Also, I repeat, motherboard "performance" is minimial. Avoid all the gimmicks you see, there's no such thing as a gaming motherboard. Are some boards faster than others? Yep. Does it make a big difference? Nope. I'd watch out for USB performance though.

A very informative and concise guide. Personally I have been looking at the A8N-E to be my next motherboard, the other potentials being either the EPOX 9NPA+Ultra or the DFI LanParty UT Ultra-D. While the latter two might be better overclockers what concerns me is that they seem to place their chipset fans very close to the PCI-E slots fanning hot air on the base of the graphics card. This is an important consideration in my case as my graphics card is passively cooled.

Good point, but this depends on your attitude towards this problem. Personally I don't sweat the small details...it all depends on your situation. If you're planning on having a 'silent computer' then there may not be other workarounds (ex: attaching a fan to the unit, or moving wires to get better airflow, etc). My gut feeling is that this shouldn't be too much of a problem, just look at consumer reviews and doublecheck if others have problems with this kind of setup.

I want to know how the 6150/430 boards compare to the nForce4 MicroATX boards in NON-GRAPHICS features and performance.

This is an interesting question worth investigating. Unfortunately I've been out of the loop for a few months so I can't tell you right now.

Updates on integrated graphics to come.

Stay tuned,
-The Pentium Guy

 

[Craxen]

Hello again,

I do not recommend the GA-K8N51PVMT-9 if you need a simple mobo with an onboard video solution. I had the board for about 3 weeks with limited use and it just stopped posting, checked the reviews on the egg and a lot of other customers who purchased this board had and will most likely have this same posting problem. I got the board the day it became available and if it wasn't such a lemon the board would be most likely be one of the better 6150 mobos on the market. I've had good experience with gigabyte boards up until the GA-K8N51PVMT-9, what a bummer. I am going with the MSI K8NGM2-FID as a replacement. I would go with the asus 6150 version, but I've read a lot of nitpicks about the board making it seem finicky, especially for those looking for an htpc solution.

 

[Edg320]

Hi..... im really new to the forum and all so i dont really know how to post my own forums....anyway i need some help in upgrading my comp
I was thinking:-
AMD 64 3200+ 939 pin for $227AUD which is bout $166USD
MSI K8N Neo 4-FI 1394 Nforce4 Ultra for $130AUD bout $93USD

What do u guys think bout the system and the price??....does it work well and provide room for future upgradability....do i also need a new powersupply? im currently running on XP 2500
I wanna get a new graphics card as well...i was thinking 6600GT or something else along that price
im running on a tight budget

 

[CommodoreRed]

Well what is your PSU? If under 400w, Id say so for future proofing anyways. Otherwise those are good choices. Plan on OCing? May want change then. But I am having similar decisions to make...

I am looking for a MOBO! Process AMD 3700 or 3200 (yeah wait before saying umm 3200 dude!!!) 7800GT. Now, I do NOT plan on OCing. For a while... and even then would be minimal. I just want a great layout, non SLI nforce4 board, with great features and stability number one. Looking on Newegg reviews is like heroine... it's just bad in end. Keep justifying to change your board by bad reviews. Everyboard has it's issues I know...

Was thinking of Epox 9npa+ Ultra or ASRock (don't laugh). epox recently been having USB 2.0 port issues... but seems be BIOS solved once get a fix. Could be a while, but eh I hate mobo shopping =( Suggestions? Comments?

 

[sheltem]

Great guide! I only wish I saw this before ordering my Opteron 165 and ASRock combo. I would have gotten the Epox Nforce4 Ultra instead.

 

[harobikes333]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Originally posted by: harobikes333
So no go on the DFI and instead get a EPoX...could ya hook me up with a link^^? plz

I forgot if I'd aready mentioned it but this is my first build

Link? Meh. Control + F for the win.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123236

After reading more and more about the n4 mobos I've found out that there are some USB2 problems and some other things.... Any comment about that anyone?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
After reading more and more about the n4 mobos I've found out that there are some USB2 problems and some other things.... Any comment about that anyone?

As I previuosly advised you, leave out the SW IDE drivers and ActiveArmour software and you'll have a great nF4 experience. As to USB issues, typically the mainboard manufacturer's fault, and are often resolved with nothing more than a bios update. Buy a board that has been out for awhile and that shouldn't be needed. I've used lots of USB 2.0 devices with the nf4 without issue.


Btw, don't bother linking people reporting issues with USB 2.0 on it, IME 90%+ are a case of a bad board, bad bios, USB device that varies to far from specification, or PICNIC=problem in chair, not in computer.

 

[harobikes333]

Thanks for the reply! I need to go look up what SW IDE means:\ and then look up what active armour does and why a person would have it on.

 

[harobikes333]

anyone!?

EDIT: ops >_< I forgot this was stickied

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
Thanks for the reply! I need to go look up what SW IDE means:\ and then look up what active armour does and why a person would have it on.

Basically, just don't install the IDE drivers from the CD that it comes with. ActiveArmor's the built-in firewall - just don't bother installing it. They're both known to cause problems, BSOD, crashing, etc.

Updates to come tomorrow.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

agreed,I nominate for sticky

 

[Ludootje]

Awesome guide Pentium Guy! I'm not really looking for a motherboard right now, but it was still very interesting to read as I want to learn more about hardware (motherboards & CPU's especially).
I've got an old XP 2400+ so I really should upgrade, but I'm waiting for the AM2 as I *really* want to be able to run 2 OS's at the same time + as I don't upgrade a lot, I prefer to wait for a new socket which will keep having new CPU's for much longer than the current s754 or s939 (if anyone thinks that's a bad idea, please tell me, I'm always interested).
Thanks again!

 

[harobikes333]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy

Originally posted by: harobikes333
Thanks for the reply! I need to go look up what SW IDE means:\ and then look up what active armour does and why a person would have it on.

Basically, just don't install the IDE drivers from the CD that it comes with. ActiveArmor's the built-in firewall - just don't bother installing it. They're both known to cause problems, BSOD, crashing, etc.

Updates to come tomorrow.

I'm gonna take a look at the update you did then:0 EDIT: you last updated it said the 17 dec....:?

Also, does the epox look good?

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Just updated it, a little bit late as I'm on IST (Indian Standard Time) .

I'm not really looking for a motherboard right now, but it was still very interesting to read as I want to learn more about hardware (motherboards & CPU's especially).

That's the best part. Just learning about how hardware works turns people like us on . Reading about different technologies, comparing them, making smart judgements, helping other people out - it's all part of the fun.

Also, does the epox look good?

Yeah. Also, my friend just built a system with this and he updated his BIOS. No USB2 problems or anything that I've been hearing about. BIOS updates (or driver reinstalls) usually fix problems like that anyways.

agreed,I nominate for sticky

And uh...you know. Might want to take a closer look =).

Anyone have any info about the MSI 6150 board? It's lookin' pretty good. Just hope it's a stable, reliable platform.

-The Pentium Guy

 

[harobikes333]

Hey thanks for the reply Pentium Guy!

I've been looking at alot of different boards you have recommended and that other people have recommended and I've come up with these three options:

The Abit AN8-Ultra

Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra

Or since I'm planning on getting a 7800GT is there any good Video card/Mobo deals out there?

EDIT: Also I've heard that the evga motherboards have a lifetime warranty....

 

[zCypher]

I just wanted to say that this thread helped me out in deciding how I will configure my new system. Thanks and thumbs up to all those who continuously provide great info. It saved me lots of time!

 

[harobikes333]

any comments about my reply...?

 

[zaphod911]

absolutly amazing. thank you for taking the time to explain it, will help in my next build. also starts me off so that i understand what comes out in the future. give a man a fish...

 

[harobikes333]

Originally posted by: harobikes333
Hey thanks for the reply Pentium Guy!

I've been looking at alot of different boards you have recommended and that other people have recommended and I've come up with these three options:

The Abit AN8-Ultra

Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra

Or since I'm planning on getting a 7800GT is there any good Video card/Mobo deals out there?

EDIT: Also I've heard that the evga motherboards have a lifetime warranty....

any help Please

 

[Ludootje]

I can't help you out harobikes, but maybe that's more appropriate in a new thread, as this one is specifically about The Pentium Guy's guide (and you might get more response in your own thread as well).

(As for the mobo/video card deal: not sure at all, but I vaguely remember there was an evga mobo for that... you might want to look into that.)

 

[zaku178]

I'd go with the EPOX EP-9NPA+ Ultra since its cheaper by $28. Plus if you were going to spend that much for a mobo you could even go for the Epox EP-9NPA+ SLI which I am about to purchase since the Epox EP-9NPA+ Ultra has the USB 2.0 problems for dual core.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: zaku178
I'd go with the EPOX EP-9NPA+ Ultra since its cheaper by $28. Plus if you were going to spend that much for a mobo you could even go for the Epox EP-9NPA+ SLI which I am about to purchase since the Epox EP-9NPA+ Ultra has the USB 2.0 problems for dual core.

Are you guys sure about the USB 2.0 problems? I just went over a friend's house and checked his PC. Latest bios, 3800+ X2, EPoX 9NPA+Ultra - No USB problems.