What mobo to choose for X2 3800 - Asus A8N-VM CSM or MSI K8NGM2-FID ?

[alex123]

Hello everyone!

This is going to be my first Athlon64 X2 3800+ system, and I am not sure what MOBO to choose. Here are my preferences:

- built-in video, the simplier the better (no gaming at all, not even monitor connected, generic PSU)
- GIGABIT LAN
- SATA, preferred to still have IDE as well, NO RAID is required
- 1 - 1.5 Gb of RAM (2 or 3 of 512 Mb DIMMs, so need 4 DIMM slots for sure)
- no overcloking or modest 10% overclok if possible (stock VCORE, stock cooling, generic PSU, generic case)
- dont care about system noise
- care about low price, since I may need more than few systems


Here is what my local retailers have in stock (prices are in CANADIAN DOLLARS):

- Asus A8N-VM CSM GF6150 HT2000 DDR Audio VGA GBLAN RAID $92.00

- MSI K8NGM2-FID GF6150 4DDR Aud+Vdo+GbLan+1394a DVI $92.00


I know that Asus A8N-VM CSM is quite popular and has been reviewed by AnandTech, so there should be somebody who knows it well.

Could you please put your opinions regarding the following questions:

Q1: Which one would you choose - Asus one or MSI one?
Q2: Will it work with 3 DIMMs ?
Q3: Does it allow for modest (like 10%) overclock?
Q4: Any other alternative mobo you would suggest?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Parsnip1973]

Alex

As regards the Asus board - I had the misfortune of buying this board but it had such BIOS trouble that I got rid of it and went with a Foxconn board (Foxconn 6150K8MA-8EKRS) which has been no trouble whatsoever (I found out that the Asus board suffers from quite a few problems through the forums at Asus.com - official tech support seemed to be non-existent to me at the time - I am never buying Asus again). The Asus gives no overclocking options, whereas the Foxconn has quite a few.

Best regards

Richard

 

[alex123]

Thanks Richard,

I have checked the local prices for Foxconn and they are around $130 (my favorite low-priced retailer - they do not carry Foxconn brand, so I had to search around in more expensive places)

The model you quoted is not available in stock, not listed on local shops websites. Though they have this one for $129:

Foxconn NF4SK8AA-8KRS Socket 939 nVidia nForce (CL8-04) SLI Chipset Dual Channel DDR400 Serial ATA 300 Raid 7.1 Ch Audio Gigabit Lan
(it does not have an on-board video)

Asus or MSI are both $40 cheaper, and they have video and GB LAN.

Any words on MSI K8NGM2-FID GF6150 4DDR Aud+Vdo+GbLan+1394a DVI $92.00 ?

 

[alex123]

Richard,

Foxconn 6150K8MA-8EKRS - the board specs look Ok... I am just not sure if I will be able to get it here and for what price. Checked my favourite retailers and they do not have this exact model listed. If it is going to be $130 as I suspect, I would probably look around for $90-$100 priced mobo