What mobo for Venice and AGP?

[Necrolezbeast]

I am thinking of upgrading my CPU/Mobo/RAM soon. I was getting excited about a 3200+ venice and overclocking the hell outa it, but now I am getting kinda worried. I have a 6800GT AGP card and I can't decide or find any good info on a good NF3 mobo for my overclocking needs. Also, I am not sure if it is too early to tell...is venice going to be fully compatible with the NF3 mobo's? Which NF3 motherboard is cheap and a good overclocker?

Also, I have been looking at 2x1gb Corsair Value RAM as I have noticed that the value stuff doesn't kill performance much on these systems. What do ya'll think of good ol' Corsair Value?

I guess my whole upgrade is dependent on the compatibility and overclockability of Venice and NF3, because I do not want to settle for anything less than Venice and I cannot afford to sell my AGP card and get a PCI express card. I always seem to go for the lower end of the good overclockers and upgrade more times than I should....ie: 1600+, 1700+, 2100+, 2500+ barton, 2500+ mobile 45w, 2500+ 35w. (each of those upgrades were for only a few more MHz I could have gotten if I had just made the better purchase in the first place). I do not want to make those mistakes again, lol!

Edit: Sata RAID is also needed, I am seeing some boards have problems with the locked SATA ports being covered by vid cards? Will this be an issue with my PNY 6800GT?
Thanks for your help!

 

[11427]

I'd recommend the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. The Sata ports will not be a problem for the video card. The only real problem while overclocking with this board is SATA ports 1 & 2 seem to have a problem locking with the PCI lock,.. so if you can get by using only 3 & 4 you should not have any problems "overclocking the hell out of it"

 

[McArra]

Yup, K8N neo 2 rocks

 

[Necrolezbeast]

More random stuff to ask...what do ya'll think of the OCZ Mod Stream 450w or 520w for this above mentioned system? I reckon the 520w is prolly a little overkill but it isn't much higher in price.

So the I wouldn 't have any SATA problems with my vid card and stuff on the MSI board? And noone really responded to the Venice question, I know that these NF3 boards work with other 90nm CPU's but what about the couple new features that Venice will bring? SSE3 and the new memory controller, I am sure the memory controller is alright, but I am not so sure with the SSE3...

Well thanks for all the help so far!!

 

[imported_Kensai]

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum.
I suggest the 520W out of those two, then you'll have a nice upgrade buffer for later on.

 

[bjc112]

I'll go ahead and say Neo2 platty..

The board I have now has 5 faulty PCI slots though :Q

Santa Cruz doesn't work in any of them. But works in an Older Abit K7 Raid..



RMA'ing now..

Still like the board though.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

hehe, a couple more questions as we dig deeper into finding the solution!! When is Venice expected to be available and what should I use to cool it without going too expensive (I always say that, but it really means nothing). Is the onboard sound any good or should i opt for a pci card? I can't handle any more WoW sound problems and will likely kill myself if I experience problems with a new build!!

 

[GML3G0]

EPoX 9NDAJ $92. $30+ cheaper and I hear it's better.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: GML3G0
EPoX 9NDAJ $92. $30+ cheaper and I hear it's better.

I have the 9NDA3+ and it's been great for me.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

Yo MDE, what kind of overclocking results do ya have from the Epox? Also, since now we have a second board up in conversation, what does everyone think between their qualities and overclockability? Also, the same SATA and 6800GT issue, does it appear with the Epox?

 

[l Xes l]

MSI Neo2 hands down!

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Necrolezbeast
Yo MDE, what kind of overclocking results do ya have from the Epox? Also, since now we have a second board up in conversation, what does everyone think between their qualities and overclockability? Also, the same SATA and 6800GT issue, does it appear with the Epox?

If you don't have a Silencer or other dual slot heatsink on the GT you'll be fine. Mine was fine with the stock BFG cooler and a Zalman VF-700Cu. I've gotten the board up to 280HTT stable, any higher and it's a little flaky. Not the greatest out there but it'll get the job done.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

What is the difference between the 9nda3j and the 9nda3+? Also on overclocking the venice, what aftermarket if any should I be getting to get some good numbers? I am lookin at the xp90c and know it is a good choice, so let me know if there is another performer I should be looking at or if I will even need an aftermarket HSF..

Edit: Also, what about bootable USB? My nf7s+ doesn't have this ability, do all the newer stuff or is it still just dependent on what ya get?

 

[MDE]

The 9NDA3+ has FireWire and two extra SATA ports. Both should boot off of USB.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

and the 9rda3j has locked SATA correct?

 

[keeleysam]

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Necrolezbeast
and the 9rda3j has locked SATA correct?

I'm assuming you meant 9NDA3J. They both do, the 9NDA3+ just has two extra unlocked SATA ports.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

yeh, damn typos...hehe thanks for all the help!! I will continue to look over any insight ya'll have and get ready for my purchase for when Venice is released!!

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: bjc112
I'll go ahead and say Neo2 platty..

The board I have now has 5 faulty PCI slots though :Q

Santa Cruz doesn't work in any of them. But works in an Older Abit K7 Raid..



RMA'ing now..

Still like the board though.

The fault lies with the TBSC actually. There is a long standing incompatability between TBSC and any, and I do mean any, nForce motherboard from NF2 onwards. I can't use my TBSC on my NF3 board or on my previous NF2 boards. I just installed it today on my wife's KT266A board and all is well.

 

[IntegraGSR]

Originally posted by: Necrolezbeast
More random stuff to ask...what do ya'll think of the OCZ Mod Stream 450w or 520w for this above mentioned system? I reckon the 520w is prolly a little overkill but it isn't much higher in price.

for 'overclocking the hell outta it' i would recommend a powerstream instead of a mod stream.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

k guys, you have been informative so far so lets go with another question.... The 3000+ Rev E is $50 cheaper than the 3200+ Rev E at Monarch, is it going to benefit me much with the 3200+ under the assumption I will be overclocking?

Edit: + the $50 saved could go into a nice aftermarket HSF...but hell it is all dependent on what you guys say would be more worthwhile!!

 

[nordik]

My vote goes to the Neo2, great board

 

[Necrolezbeast]

so noone wants to comment on to get a 3200+ or 3000+ Venice? hehe, I think I will get the neo 2 but I will continue to decide that til last moment

 

[Necrolezbeast]

One last shout out to my fellow people, 3200+ or 3000+ for the $50 premium? I am very much ready to order now, and just FYI ZZF has the Neo2 for only like $10 more than hte Epox so I will opt for the Neo2 it seems. Thank you all for your help

 

[mechBgon]

Keep in mind that the mobo you buy may need its BIOS updated before it'll POST with a Venice-core CPU. This was a common situation with the Winchesters when they were the hot new thing. "Help help, my new rig won't POST" went the usual refrain. Well what is your CPU, ohhhh, it's the Winchester BIOS-update catch-22 situation again.

/me braces for a fresh wave of this from Venice-core buyers