What motherboard to get?

[kal48158]

I'm going to be building my first pc and would like some help. Could someone please suggest a good motherboard to start with? I'm going to be building this for mostly for design/programming and some gaming. I'm not looking for the most expensive system, but I'm not looking for the cheapest way out either.

I know that I will be getting a GeForce4 Ti 4600 agp 8x video card with 128mb of ram. I'm also leaning towards either a p4 2.4ghz 0r a 2.53ghz cpu.

Should I go with a mobo with 533fsb with ddr333 memory?

Thanks,
kal

 

[Dicko]

whats your bubget

 

[rwalterk]

Kal:

If you like Intel, get a mobo with the 845PE chipset right now - best bang for the buck and 533 FSB. DDR333 RAM is fine. Someone after me might recommend something with maybe an SiS chipset, but I think if you're going to go Intel, go Intel all the way.

ASUS P4PE/L is a great board and is $119.99 at newegg.com. Link to Asus for this model.

The 2.4B (533 FSB) is probably the better buy right now ($164 at newegg.com).
The 2.53 is not bad either though ($191 at newegg.com).

I highly recommend getting a third-party heatsink/fan - a good one will be more effective. I love the VANTEC AeroFlow VP4-C7040 (don't confuse it with the Athlon model they make). I have the Athlon version of this HSF for my Athlon XP 2100 and it is very quiet + effective. It got a great review at TomsHardware.com. Also make sure to get Arctic Silver III thermal grease to go along with it. The $6 tube will be way more than enough (be sure to read their installation instructions at the Arctic Silver Web site).

The comparitive AMD solution is something to think about - might be slightly faster. I was a strict Intel guy until the nforce2 chipset came out (I trust nvidia's drivers more than I trust Via's). You could get the Asus A7N8X (not the deluxe) for $125, then get the Athlon XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB for $180. However, for the first time in a while, the Intel and AMD solutions at this level are around the same price.

 

[kal48158]

Dicko,

As far as my budget goes, I was planning on spending between $100 and $300 for the mobo, and the same for the cpu.


Kal

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: kal48158
Dicko,

As far as my budget goes, I was planning on spending between $100 and $300 for the mobo, and the same for the cpu.


Kal

If you have that big of a budget, then get a SiS655 board and a couple slabs of Ram.

 

[InFecToR]

I've built a few pc and the best way i found to do it is thru monarch computers
you design it and they build it with 3 yr warrenty. you can't match the price

they have motherboard combo also

monarch

MY PC

Kingwin KT-436B-WM Aluminum Case (this case is black and no longer on the site)sliver is availabe
3 windows with blue neon light ( case reveiw

430 watt enermax power supply

Asus P4S8X SiS648 533 FSB DDR motherboard motherboard review

512 MB DDR (400) 3200 CAS-2 CMX Corsair w/Heatsink

Intel P4 478 2.53 GHz 512K 533 FSB

Gainward Ultra 650-8X GF4 Ti4200 - 8x AGP TV/DVI 128 MB

Western Digital 80 GB 800JB 8MB Cache 7200 RPM

Lite-On 16x DVD 40x CD-ROM - Black

Lite-On 48x24x48 Black CDRW

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum (6.1) Sound Card

 

[MrPhelps]

Fixed linky for Monarch computer One couple too many http's

Anyone else bought form this site?????

 

[Dicko]

If you have that big of a budget, then get a SiS655 board and a couple slabs of Ram.

i would agree go with one of the SiS655 boards

 

[LunarRay]

I've purchased three units from them that I selected the components via their "build your own system"
method. I called them to get their input on what motherboard etc. was given reasonable advice. I have determined a site like this is the best way to find out what you need, what you don't know, and how to maximize the value of your purchase. All in all monarch is a real good place to do business with.
They do have a 15% restocking fee so ya gotta get the info first then go shopping... as I'm doing now.