Abit NF7 vs NF7-S...

[jonathan_phang]

Hey guys,

My first post! Looking to get a decent motherboard (on a budget) and then o/c a 2500XP to 3200. Just a few questions about this:

1) I'm stuck between the Abit NF7 and NF7-S. What are the main differences? I dont think that I'll be using SATA drives anytime soon, but is the performance of the 2 boards comparable? Just that the NF7-S is about £20+ more expensive (Yes, I am cheap!)

2) Also, anyone know of UK etailers that may sell good stepping 2500's? Or ones that are guaranteed to run at 3200? I've seen guaranteed ones on ebay for about £85 but I dont know if its legit or not.

Any thanks would be great

JonnyP

[blockers]

The main difference between the NF7, and the NF7-S is the SATA and the sound. If you dont already have a sound card then i would say the NF7-S as the SoundStorm is very very good. Also, you may get SATA drives in the future.

www.cpucity.co.uk may be able to sell you a good clocking xp2500. Its unlikely that you will get one new that isnt multipler locked. But as long as you have good RAM (branded pc3200) then most xp2500 should be able to get to xp3200 speeds.

Will

[Stewart]

Believe me, its worth the extra £20 for an NF7-S.

You get SATA support, and Sound Storm, which is sound as good as pretty much any sound card you will find (without spending a lot of cash) on board. Also the difference at some stores is about £18, rather than £20+.

Go with the NF7-S, then you can do your phang... sorry, thang.

[Korky]

NF7-S are also much more stable overclockers which is what i think ur into when u mension a "good stepping 2500" and as for gd stepping 2500, i think their good stepping time has passed (maybe im wrong) ud be best pickin one up 2nd hand from somewhere prob and dont spend £85 on one lol.

[jonathan_phang]

Well,

Cheers guys. I think I wanted to lean to the NF7-S, and as you pointed out, SATA may become more mainstream soon too. Also, cheers for the tips on the 2500. Will have a look around for a second hand one to guage the prices

JonnyP

[BUFF]

and as for gd stepping 2500, i think their good stepping time has passed (maybe im wrong)

You are wrong

The best at the moment seem to be the mobile version which apparently are hitting 2.7GHz - on air!
Available to pre-order at CPU City £70.

[jonathan_phang]

Wow! Is that for real? Are they still socketA? I didn't know that the mobile chips were the same form factor. Mind you, if they are quite new, won't they come multiplier locked?

JP

[Korky]

I have seen these XP-M's but can we plz have some evidence behind "aparantly are hitting 2.7ghz - on air!" because that is quite a statement, 2.7ghz on air?

Ye phang, the higher range barton versions are Socket A.