What is the best mobo/cpu combo for the money?

[BZeto]

My current setup needs an update. My epox mobo isn't cutting it anymore, its buggy even with the latest drivers and bios updates.
Current setup:

Epox 8K5A2+
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (@1.75ghz, 166fsb)
512 PC2700 Kingston memory
Geforce 4 Ti4200
ect, ect

Anyway, I would like to get a new mobo/cpu combo to speed (and stabalize) things up a bit. I would like stay with AMD and go with an NForce 2 chipset. I would like things to run cool because I am ditching the 80mm Tornado on top of my SK-7 for something less "extreme". If possible I would like to be able to use my SK-7 HS with the new cpu. I will continue using my kingston RAM for now even if it wont be up to speed. NForce2 and a newer cpu will run with PC2700, right?

I do have a budget at around $200 or less. I would like to be able to handle the next gen games (HL2) with this setup, obviously I will need a new video card and more RAM but I'm not concerned with that right now. I will probably do some overclocking, but a stable setup is very important.

I know a while ago the best bang for the buck was the 2500 Barton with the Abit NF7-S. I don't know how much has changed since then.

So to sum it up:
AMD
Stable
'Cool' running (I dont know what the newer cpu's run at as far as temps go)
Will allow me to keep my current RAM and possibly my heatsink.

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[o1die]

I'd look for a newegg refurb motherboard with the nforce2 chipset. They run about $40-50. The abit nf7 might work for you, if you don't need sata or other extras. They also have mobile bartons ocassionally, but they sell out quickly. They're priced at $66-88 as refurbs.

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

I would go with a AN35ultra with a retail 2500 and should clock nicely to 3200 and beyond. The stock heatsink will be ok for that and maybe up to 2.3 gig.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

IMO stay away from refurbs. But Abit NF7 and mobile barton 2400+ is probably your best bet.

 

[lMlHuxley]

IMO just wait until you see a good deal at your local fry's or microcenter. Often they will have great deals on cpu motherboard combos or just cpu and motherboards.

 

[magnux]

I picked up a DFI nForce2 Ultra Infinity and AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Mobile for under $200. Best purchase I've made all year, this thing screams.

 

[Josephus]

I wouod also go with the XP2500+ and the AN35 Ultra... you're talking about $125 there... If you really want to quiet things down for the heat sink, get the Zalman 6000 series (that superflower looking thingy) and buy a vantec stealth 120mm fan rather than the 90mm fan that comes with the package. That would still kepp you well below your budget and mett your needs. If your memory won't do PC3200, perhaps one of the faster 333Mhz XP's would be a better choice.

 

[tcsenter]

My current setup needs an update. My epox mobo isn't cutting it anymore, its buggy even with the latest drivers and bios updates. Current setup:

Epox 8K5A2+
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (@1.75ghz, 166fsb)

Surely your system's 'buggyness' has nothing to do with the fact that you're not only running a 133FSB CPU using a 166FSB, but exceeding its total rated frequency by 25%. Must be the mainboard! :roll:

 

[lMlHuxley]

I just bought the dfi but I have a 2800+. You must have paid retail then at those prices? I picked up the DFI for 100$ and the 2800 for 100 too

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

My current setup needs an update. My epox mobo isn't cutting it anymore, its buggy even with the latest drivers and bios updates. Current setup:

Epox 8K5A2+
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (@1.75ghz, 166fsb)

Surely your system's 'buggyness' has nothing to do with the fact that you're not only running a 133FSB CPU using a 166FSB, but exceeding its total rated frequency by 25%. Must be the mainboard! :roll:

The cpu is one of the infamous 0213 AGOIA cores and runs fine with the 166fsb. The problems with the mobo I was talking about are more like annoyances. I do not feel like explaining it much, what I do know is that it is the motherboard itself.

Anyway, thanks for input, any more would be great. It seems like the Barton 2500 is still the most prefered. Am I almost garunteed to get good (near 3200) speeds out of a 2500+? Do I need to look for a certain stepping?

Also, what are your opinions of an AMD 64 setup? Will an AMD 64 and mobo cost quite a bit more than $200?


Thanks.

 

[essasin]

For overclocking
mobile and dfi infinity

for more reliablity and less ocing potential (vdim)
mobile and nf7s

for the most stable, reliable, mild ocing board for the money
mobile and shuttle a35n ultra

 

[CraigRT]

Soltek SL-75FRN2-L and XP2500+ Barton

this is my current setup, and it rocks the socks!

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: BZetoAnyway, thanks for input, any more would be great. It seems like the Barton 2500 is still the most prefered. Am I almost garunteed to get good (near 3200) speeds out of a 2500+? Do I need to look for a certain stepping?

Also, what are your opinions of an AMD 64 setup? Will an AMD 64 and mobo cost quite a bit more than $200?

Considering the A64 CPU starts at about $180 for the lowest end OEM 2800+ rating... don't think you could get a motherboard for $20, much less mobo and HSF.

The Barton 2500+ is okay, but is now only capable of FSB overclocks because the multiplier is locked. essasin's suggestion on the Shuttle mobo with mobile CPU is a good one.

 

[deathwalker]

Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 mobo and AMD XP 2500+ mobility proc...it gets you in on your budget and gives you tons of performance capability.

 

[deathwalker]

Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 mobo and AMD XP 2500+ mobility proc...it gets you in on your budget and gives you tons of performance capability.

 

[deathwalker]

Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 mobo and AMD XP 2500+ mobility proc...it gets you in on your budget and gives you tons of performance capability.

 

[Schadenfroh]

biostar nforce2 and athlon 2500 together can be had for about 150

 

[SniperMerc]

DFI Nforce 2 Ultra Infinity $93 at newegg.
AMD Mobile 2400+ and clock it to 2.4 to 2.5 Ghz $77 at newegg.
Zalman CNPS AlCu HSF $35 at newegg.