• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What is the best motherboard for me?

M

masterchief19

Junior Member
Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum, for I came over from the HTF. I am selecting cheap parts to build a decent computer. I am going to use an AMD Athlon XP 1700,1800, or 1900 CPU. I would like AT LEAST one APG slot and 4 PCI slots, and DMA 100. I am going to get a video card and sound card and would like to get a modem and networking card. I am looking to buy used or online(tiger direct, newegg, pricewatch), so I am looking to spend less than 100 on it. There is a motherboard bundle on tiger direct w/ the AMD XP 1800 and a decent motherboard for 130, and I think it is a pretty good deal. But I am new at this, so please lend your help. Thanks a lot.

 
that's a pretty vague criteria.. you'd have a huge selection with a quota like that.
simply read some reviews, find one with what you want, and hit it up if the price is right. it's really that easy 🙂
 
I recommend researching any potential online vendor at Resellerratings.com before deciding to buy from them. Some of them have poor reputations when you have a faulty motherboard or CPU, for instance.

You might want to check out the EPoX 8RDA+. It has an AGP 8X slot, six PCI slots, onboard networking, very good onboard sound, onboard Firewire, six USB 2.0 ports, ATA133, and a very good upgrade path (I think it will probably work with every SocketA CPU AMD has ever made, or ever will make). It's based on the fastest overall AMD chipset available, and is about $110 shipped from mwave.com. If you decide to get one, be careful not to pick the 8RDA by accident if you really want the full-featured 8RDA+ (note the +). It's not the cheapest, but with the amount of onboard features it has included, it could save you money in the end, compared to buying separate network and sound cards.

Another one I like a lot is the Asus A7N266-VM, which has only three PCI slots, but costs $72 and happens to have both an AGP slot and also onboard video suitable for daily office-type work and light gaming. Again, it has onboard network and very nice onboard audio. The next-generation AthlonXP's that use the 333MHz bus speed won't work on this board, however, so your max CPU would be a 266MHz-bus AthlonXP 2600+ (still darn fast).
 
Based on my experiences with the Epox 8RDA (non-plus), I'd have to agree with what mechBgon said about those boards. They're fast even when not overclocked, and they overclock well, too (if you're in to that kind of thing).

If you only need 4 USB2 ports, basic sound (or have an existing PCI sound card that you'd like to add in), and no firewire, you can save money by getting the non-plus version like I did, and adding a cheap US$9 network card (D-Link DFE-530TX+ is a good one).
 
What are some other big specs that will help narrow the search for a mobo? I know I want at least one APG slot and 4 PCI slots and AMA 100. What are some other good specs that will be helpgul in upgrading in the future? So is the mobo the most important part in considering upgrading in the future?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top