Yet another "which mobo" question . .

[marmasatt]

OK. I've been lurking here long enough. I've been reading these posts for weeks and I think I've actually extended my choices instead of narrowing them down. A little overwhelmed here. If I tell you that I am building my first box and I will use it primarily for Gaming, General WP and Internet and software burning - pictures, CD-R, DVD . . . what would you recommend? I am probably going to throw a XP 2100 + and 2700 DDR on it. I don't plan on overclocking just yet, but who knows. On board sound but no video would be good. And I'm not sure about RAID (someone tell me why I do or don't need this again . . ) Oh and the lower the better on the price - looking at being in the middle of value ->performance ($70-$80?). I see alot about the K7s5A, 8RDA, A&N8X, M7VIP, 8K5A2+ and the MSI KT3 Ultra2. My first thoughts were the KT3 Ultra2. Anyone want to share some light on the subject please. Sorry to do this to you. I know you guys answer these 5 times a day. Thanks though.

 

[Acts837]

Well I know this may "spark" some heat, but my suggestion is to stay away from the VIA chipsets. I personally don't like them. I currently have the ECS K7S5A and have been pondering the nForce2 boards. I just got a 1700+ "B" from newegg for $46.99 and am anxious to make it fly! Will probably go with the Epox 8RDA or MSI K7N2-L. Both are under $100 and I already have an Audigy card and several NICs.

Good Luck

 

[ProviaFan]

I ordered an Athlon XP 1700+ T-bred B from newegg recently, unaware that it wouldn't work in my older KT133A-based board. Unfortunately, I had to force myself to order an Epox 8RDA with 512MB of PC2700 (the board and RAM should be coming in a little over a week). 😉

Check out AnandTech's review of 6 Nforce2 motherboards for some more info.

 

[Acts837]

Keep us posted on that Epox rig...I'm looking at the same board.

 

[marmasatt]

Bump.

Can a newb get just a tad more specific recommendations please? ty

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: marmasatt
Bump.

Can a newb get just a tad more specific recommendations please? ty

Abit NF7-S is an excellent board: great tech support; nVidia APU; SATA; includes PATA-SATA converter; good overclocking features; firewire

 

[Acts837]

Specific - Epox 8RDA+ (AGP 8X, 4 USB onboard, NIC, Firewire, 6 channel Audio).

If you want RAID with the above get the Asus A7N8X Deluxe.

 

[magomago]

The kt333 is really good. My brother has a 8k5a2+ and its beautiful

 

[mechBgon]

EPoX 8RDA+ might be nice, particularly if you see USB 2.0 or Firewire devices in your future (scanners, digital video cams, external hard drives or burners, etc). I got one this week and built it like this. It's an office system, hence the imbalance of the video card compared to everything else. So far, so good.

The non-plus 8RDA lacks the Firewire and the deluxe nForce audio, and apparently comes without the additional pair of USB outlets on a PCI plate. Either one should overclock well, given quality RAM, power, and cooling. Because the 8RDA's and some/most other nForce2 boards can lock the AGP & PCI frequencies to stock speed, you can pick whatever CPU bus speed you want, and manipulate the multiplier of a Thoroughbred as well. That's a great recipe for overclocking 😀