Which Nforce 2 for under $100?

[ImMersion]

Im looking to get an Nforce2 board for under a hundred bucks. Cant go over, and need one that is not picky with ram.
Im planning on getting some winbond based pc3200 (hopefully will run at 200fsb) (cant spend more than 90 here)

Im lookin at the Epox 8rda, but many many problems are being reported, mainly the difficulty of finding ram that is compatible

The Abit NF7 (any v2.0's on the plain nf7?)

The Asus A7N8X (tough to find under a 100, but one or two offer it at that price)


Which should I pick. Dont need onboard anything except usb 2.0 and maybe firewire

 

[syberscott]

The Epox is a good board. I am very happy with mine. Take a look at my sig.

 

[bgeh]

try getting the Epox 8RDA+

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Soltek SL-75FRN-L is winning Editor's choice awards at many sites and allows vdd adjustment with just a bios flash for sick FSB overclocking. It's also shipping with the A1/C1 revision chipset and most are exceeding 200fsb stock on it.

 

[LastRide]

as DAPUNISHER SAYS.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Soltek SL-75FRN-L is winning Editor's choice awards at many sites and allows vdd adjustment with just a bios flash for sick FSB overclocking. It's also shipping with the A1/C1 revision chipset and most are exceeding 200fsb stock on it.

Doesn't this one have the inferior MCP2 SB?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Fropm the specs the 75mrn uses the MCP2 and the FRN uses the MCP.

 

[KillaBong]

8rda+ ! ! ! ... thats only because i use it, but it is a great board for $100.

 

[Bonesdad]

I'd pick the 8RDA+ too (in fact, I did after much research). Don't know that the 8RDA is the only one being picky on memory. Many NForce2 mobos seem to react this way. I personally don't have problems.

 

[Brian48]

I have both the Soltek and Epox. They're both great boards. I'd be hard pressed to choose between the two if I could only have one. The Soltek is slightly more stable and seems to have a higher level of construction. The Epox is "measurably" faster and is definitely the most overclocker friendly of two.

I had an A7N8X before also. The first one ran great for about two months and then it suddenly died. The second one I got back from RMA was flakey as hell and also exhibited that annoying "cold boot" problem. Eventually got rid of it for the Soltek. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Doh!]

Does Soltek have SoundStorm?

I'm shopping for my third nForce2. I've got one MSI that's w/o a SS and an Abit w/ SS, and Abit sounds better to my ears, & would prefer a board w/ SS.

 

[Macro2]

Does Soltek have SoundStorm?

No. Get the Asus "deluxe" board. Abit might have it too. Epox says they have it but you need a separate card. Do your research.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Fropm the specs the 75mrn uses the MCP2 and the FRN uses the MCP.

But neither uses the MCP-T, do they? That makes the Epox 8RDA+ and the FIC AU11 / AU13 better feature for feature, right?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Fropm the specs the 75mrn uses the MCP2 and the FRN uses the MCP.

But neither uses the MCP-T, do they? That makes the Epox 8RDA+ and the FIC AU11 / AU13 better feature for feature, right?

It's dependent on what "features" you are after don't you think? I didn't want IEEE1394 but I did want a board that would look good with my window mod. I also like the fact that the 75FRN doesn't need a different heatsink or fan on the northbridge for high FSB overclocking at raised vdd voltage either, and the fact that the vdd is adjustable in the bios.In the end I think it becomes highly subjective as to what "features" are desireable or "better". You obviously like the feature set of the 8RDA+ counselor so for you that's "better", for me it's just different or superfluous

 

[AtomicDude512]

Epox 8RDA+

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER Fropm the specs the 75mrn uses the MCP2 and the FRN uses the MCP.

But neither uses the MCP-T, do they? That makes the Epox 8RDA+ and the FIC AU11 / AU13 better feature for feature, right?

It's dependent on what "features" you are after don't you think? I didn't want IEEE1394 but I did want a board that would look good with my window mod. I also like the fact that the 75FRN doesn't need a different heatsink or fan on the northbridge for high FSB overclocking at raised vdd voltage either, and the fact that the vdd is adjustable in the bios.In the end I think it becomes highly subjective as to what "features" are desireable or "better". You obviously like the feature set of the 8RDA+ counselor so for you that's "better", for me it's just different or superfluous

Man... superfluous is a big word Had to look that one up... that's not fair.

I am considering this board now actually... how is the onboard sound? Is it comparable to the MCP-T for 2 channel?

 

[chocoruacal]

The only nForce2 I've put together is the 8RDA+. I used Kingston HyperX LL pc2700 RAM and there are zero compatibility issues. I think you'll find the RAM problem extends to quite a few of the nForce2 boards in general, unfortunately.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I haven't heard the MCP-T but the sound on this 75FRN is exceptable for integrated and since I wear headphones most the time is better for audio CDs&DVDs than games but for under a $100 I'm not complaining I have nothin' but love for Epox and I'd never owned a Soltek before but it fit my needs better and was getting rave reviews so I took a chance and haven't been diappointed in it's FSB overclocking ability since flashing to the tweaked 1.3L CPGeek bios, heck I haven't even had any of the bios flakyness that the NF2 boards were suppose to be having. We have a good thread on it going here with tons of good info if you haven't perused it already check it out