Which MB/Proc to get?

[JameyF]

I am having MB issues. I currently use a Soyo Dragon Plus with an IDE RAID setup in the system. I currently am running a 1.6 AMD XP chip in it. I have an ATI 8500 graphics card and about 5 IDE drives (currently only using 2 120 GB in the RAID and one 200 GB all ata 133). The memory I'll be using is Crucial PC2100, but I'm fairly certain it will do 166fsb. I've taken it to 160 on my MB and I think the Processor was the limiting factor. I want to upgrade this system, but I'm on a limited budget. I've read good things about the ABIT NF7-S R2. Is this the way to go, or is there something better for not much more money? What type processor should I get to go with it? I'm not sure of my HSF, but I'm thinking it's an ALPHA. I may move my current MB/Proc to a another case so I may leave the HSF on the setup...it's a biatch to take off and on. The only time I can is when the MB is out of the case.

Total budget is no more than $200, but I don't want to spend even that. I'd love to stay in the $100-150 range. I am considering just swapping out the MB and keeping the processor and HSF. If i do swap out the Processor, I'll want a decent amount of improvement (maybe in the 2.4-2.6 range) and I'll need another HSF. I use the computer for surfing and moderate gaming. Overclocking is not huge priority, but I'd like a little room.

 

[Tripleshot]

Originally posted by: JameyF
I am having MB issues. I currently use a Soyo Dragon Plus with an IDE RAID setup in the system. I currently am running a 1.6 AMD XP chip in it. I have an ATI 8500 graphics card and about 5 IDE drives (currently only using 2 120 GB in the RAID and one 200 GB all ata 133). The memory I'll be using is Crucial PC2100, but I'm fairly certain it will do 166fsb. I've taken it to 160 on my MB and I think the Processor was the limiting factor. I want to upgrade this system, but I'm on a limited budget. I've read good things about the ABIT NF7-S R2. Is this the way to go, or is there something better for not much more money? What type processor should I get to go with it? I'm not sure of my HSF, but I'm thinking it's an ALPHA. I may move my current MB/Proc to a another case so I may leave the HSF on the setup...it's a biatch to take off and on. The only time I can is when the MB is out of the case.

Total budget is no more than $200, but I don't want to spend even that. I'd love to stay in the $100-150 range. I am considering just swapping out the MB and keeping the processor and HSF. If i do swap out the Processor, I'll want a decent amount of improvement (maybe in the 2.4-2.6 range) and I'll need another HSF. I use the computer for surfing and moderate gaming. Overclocking is not huge priority, but I'd like a little room.

On your budget, get an ASUS A7N8XE deluxe and keep your existing hardware until you can grow into more power with more money. Stay away from ABIT. I used to like them, but not anymore. ASUS has been giving me good service and scalability on almost all there product line. You will not be disappointed with this selection.

 

[OinkBoink]

go for abit NF7-S.they rock

 

[JameyF]

Originally posted by: nikhilesh
go for abit NF7-S.they rock

Is newegg the best source for it. I think I'm going this route for the onboard firewire. Also, is there any way to use my IDE drives in a RAID setup on the NF7-S? I thnk I have a spare controller around for my extra drives (I know that controller doesn't have RAID)., but I'd like to use my two 120GB ata133 drives in a RAID setup, but it's not neccesary. Also, how far can I go with this board as far as processing speed?

 

[Fern]

For $200 you could get a NF7-S and a mobile Barton. With your ram now, you can just leave the FSB at 166 and jack up the multiplier on the Mobile Barton. Later, when you upgrade the ram, you can jack up the FSB.

EDIT: "Also, is there any way to use my IDE drives in a RAID setup on the NF7-S?" The NF7-S comes with a Serrel (sp?) converter (V.2) to hook up IDE to raid. Check it out

 

[Fern]

Also, how far can I go with this board as far as processing speed?

Not sure what you mean, it's a socket 462 mobo, meaning AMD athlon.. I'd guess you can pretty well bank on FSB speeds of 220 or more. Some get quite a bit higher. Prolly mostly depends on ur ram. If you've got an unlocked cpu, well, you can get the procesor speed pretty high, depending on the chip and ur cooling

 

[JameyF]

I meant like how high does this MB support in AMD's processor line? Is there a 3+ghz processor for this board?

Have the coruption issues with RAID been worked out yet?

Which Mobil processor would you recommend to get the most out of the board and my other components? Woul dit be better to get a desktop processor with a faster core or will they be the same core?

Also, is Newegg the place to get it. I noticed their policy on Abit boards, and that kinda worries me. I've just had an issue with another store's similar policy with a Denon DVD player.

 

[JameyF]

I just jumped on an Abit NF7-S and a 35watt mobil 2400. It was $174 shipped. I'll use my current alpha 8045 to cool it and drop my xp1.6 and limping soyo dragon plus in another system just for a spare. I've got 3-4 extra 40-60 gig HD's laying around to get tons of storage for backing up my kids pics and stuff.

 

[msi1337]

great choice