Trying to decide which A64 chipset to embrace...

[Audiofight]

I am looking at a couple different motherboards and haven't kept up on the whole Athlon 64 picture unfortunately.

I am looking at either the:

Asus K8V SE Deluxe

OR:

Asus K8N-E Deluxe

I am leaning toward the K8N-E b/c of the GigE controller getting some high marks and I do alot of network overhead, large file transfers with my file server. I am sticking with Asus for two reasons: 1. I haven't had any problems with their boards in the past 2. They include coaxial digital out for both boards and my speakers do not have optical input, only coaxial input.

I am curious if anyone is using the on-board audio solutions from either board and can give me some feedback. I am going to go back to air-cooling after spending the last year watercooling P4 chips so I can start using PCI slots again, in case I need a new PCI sound card.

I plan on running WinXP Pro w/ SP2 installed. I shouldn't have any problems with it, from the reading I have done.

 

[Algere]

ASUS K8N-E Deluxe

 

[fbrdphreak]

Stay away from K8V SE Deluxe. Is okay mobo, but I hate VIA chipsets and there is no PCI/AGP lock if you want to do overclocking. nForce3 chipsets are much better

 

[Audiofight]

didn't know the AGP/PCI lock wasn't there on the Via chipset.....thanks for the headsup.....

I think the NF3 board is the winner for me then.

 

[Megatomic]

The AGP/PCI bus lock is suposed to be there on all K8T800 Pro chipset motherboards. Look for the latter models that sport that chipset and you should get the lock.

That being said, I still favor the NF3-250Gb, especially the S939 flavor. It comes with increased HT speeds, the GbE you like, built-in firewall, and a slight performance edge over the Via competion according to the last reviews I've read. And of course the AGP/PCI lock...

But as you can see (from my sig) I am still on an NF2 system so I can't speak from personal experience here. If I were to go A64 today, I'd get a S939 NF3 and a 3500+ chip.

 

[Audiofight]

Ouch....the S939 chips are too rich for my blood.

I need new memory and vid card as well.....can't swing an $800 upgrade right now.....$400 is do-able.

 

[Megatomic]

Then I'd go for a cheaper S754 NF3-250Gb mobo and an A64 3000+. Pair that with 1Gb of Corsair Value Select and you are all set.

Shop the FS/FT forums, I see good deals there all the time.

 

[epsilon9090]

chantech vnf3-250 plus an Athlon64 3200+ newcastle should be perfecto.

 

[karlreading]

im running chaintech VNF3-250 with a 3200+ HAMMER. 2 sticks of twinmoss totaling gig from me dual channel nf2 days, rated as cas 2.5, running sweet in the nf3 @ cas 2.0 11-3-3 400mhz. some a64 board have trouble running two double sided dimms, this nf3-250 mobo has none running way over spec. also, working pci lock is nice, and running memory still at 400, 10*240 bus, ht multiplier of 3 making 720 HT she runs at 2.4 ghz solid as a rock. so basically a 3700+ for the price of a 3200+ thus i agree with epsilon, chaintech board is awesome, nf3 is the way forward, but go for a late hammer 3200+, not a newcastle, and clock the balls of it
karlos

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: karlreading
im running chaintech VNF3-250 with a 3200+ HAMMER. 2 sticks of twinmoss totaling gig from me dual channel nf2 days, rated as cas 2.5, running sweet in the nf3 @ cas 2.0 11-3-3 400mhz. some a64 board have trouble running two double sided dimms, this nf3-250 mobo has none running way over spec. also, working pci lock is nice, and running memory still at 400, 10*240 bus, ht multiplier of 3 making 720 HT she runs at 2.4 ghz solid as a rock. so basically a 3700+ for the price of a 3200+ thus i agree with epsilon, chaintech board is awesome, nf3 is the way forward, but go for a late hammer 3200+, not a newcastle, and clock the balls of it
karlos

i second that the vnf3 is a great board

 

[Audiofight]

Are any of you Chaintech guys using the digital add-on card they supply? How does it work? easy installation and sound acceptable?

If so, I believe a Chaintech board will make it into my next system.....will allow some extra funds to make it into the video selection

 

[BW86]

If your talking about the SPIDIF audio connector, no i dont use it

 

[Audiofight]

yup, I was referring to the SPDIF card that comes with it.

I am thinking about saving the $50 and going with the Chaintech over the Asus.....I can't decide if the GigE controller and hardware firewall are worth the extra.....I plan on this system becoming my fileserver/router and would be a great board to fulfill that purpose.