MBO reccomendation

[Jesus]

Hi, people, I'm new and I need help,
I'm intending to buy a new MBO ( mine sucks for OC)
After a log search I've reduced the number of candidates down to two:
1. Abit Nf7-s rev 2.0
2. EpoX 8RDA3+
OK the question is easy which one to buy, maybe a third????

[sputnik found]

MSI K7N2 i got one and its Gets my Xp1800 to 2.3Ghz (Xp3000, maybe more) speeds.

[Tom]

lol u got the one person on the whole forum who would reccomend that board to post first

This question has been asked over and over, the abit nf7-s is the best amd motherboard by general concensus on both this and the bit tech forums.

1800+ @ 2.3? my 1700+ is @ 2.4

[Korky]

*Opens the gate to the abit tribe*

Nf7-s for life ;-)

[BUFF]

There can be only 1 mobo - NF7-S V2.0!

[Jesus]

OK and Jesus said "LET IT BE ABIT" ! !
@sputnik you can't compare the Xp1800+ ( Palomino or Tbred,256 Cache) with the 3000+( Barton core,512 cache) because the BArtzons have generaly lower clock speeds, but you can compare it with the 2600+ and the 2700+ ( Same ammount of cache, probably the same core because as far I know the Palomino wouldn't go so high), still good work !

[Spritzup]

Without a doubt Abit NF7-S ver.2 is the way to go, you'll not be sorry

[Austin]

Originally posted by Jesus
OK and Jesus said "LET IT BE ABIT" ! !
@sputnik you can't compare the Xp1800+ ( Palomino or Tbred,256 Cache) with the 3000+( Barton core,512 cache) because the BArtzons have generaly lower clock speeds, but you can compare it with the 2600+ and the 2700+ ( Same ammount of cache, probably the same core because as far I know the Palomino wouldn't go so high), still good work !

Pally's run very hot, are always locked and top out around 1.7ghz (XP2100+). TbredA are much cooler, often unlocked but only o/c to around 1.9ghz (XP2300+). TbredB are not only very cool but always unlocked and often o/c to around 2.2ghz (XP3000+ish) with very little trouble. All of those are 256k L2, the Barton is basically TbredB with 512k L2 which adds 5% speed clock for clock, so 2.2ghz equals a true XP3200+.

It is chipset which makes almost all the diff, manu matters far less so any nForce2 mobo should be top notch. Abit NF7-S v2.0 aren't by any means perfect although they are very good (esp o/c'ing), I'd go mostly by price with Epox and Asus offerings being as preferred as the Abit. You may want to consider the super cheap www.dabs.com DabsValue (Biostar) nF2 mobo for £40, it only seems to lack MCP-T and Dual Channel which will only knock you 5% perf tops, should be great for the money.

[suki_uk]

Another vote here for the NF7-s v2.0

[Jesus]

Thanks,
well I expect my TbredA (which is downgraded from 2600+) to ga as high as 2,13GHz, now I can't get it higher than1,87, the board sucks wont let me over 150FSB, and over 1,75Vcore ( in fact Vcore is around 1,66V, also thanks to MAxpowerPSU )
The CPU i cool and would have no problems of going higher.
Another question, on a picture I couldnt see if the Abit has holes arround the Socket, could be important one day for the cooler ( Zalman 7000ACu)

[steve threlfall]

Originally posted by BUFF
There can be only 1 mobo - NF7-S V2.0!

Indeed. So many of us own this board you can fail to get the right answer in the ublkiely event of you bu**ering things up

[Austin]

You should find all NF7 since rev1.1 have the 4 mounting holes for the OTT high end HS. Your MSI 745 Ultra is based on the SiS745 which is decent enough so long as you don't mind 266FSB and a severe lack of o/c'ing options. TbredA however are not going to be downgraded XP2600+ as it simply can't run that fast as it is based on an 8-layer design and cross-talk prevents speeds of 2.0ghz and higher. 1.825ghz is about as fast as that CPU is likely to run, consider if it's worth upgrading the mobo and RAM (PC2100 is rated to 266mhz). 1.75v vcore is a LOT for a Tbred based CPU which can usually run up to 1.8ghz with only 1.5v vcore, higher voltages mean a LOT more heat and MUCH more stress on the CPU. 1.8v+ was fine on the Pally but Tbreds and Barton shouldn't really go above 1.70v as that's as stressful tot hem as 1.80v is to Pally. Of course replacements are cheap, which would mean factoring in a new TbredB/Barton CPU if you upgrade your mobo and RAM would be wise moves.

[fondie]

1.7v isn't very high for any athlon xp

[Oxide]

Get the Abit board mate you wont be disappointed

[Austin]

Originally posted by fondie
1.7v isn't very high for any athlon xp

What voltage is classed as 'high' does depend on individual interpretation but I take it to be around 0.05v above the highest norm stock for that type of core. IIRC all 0.18mu used 1.70-1.75v (or thereabouts) so going to 1.80v wasn't pushing them too far. 0.13mu like we use today (TbredA, TbredB, Barton, new Duron) are designed to use lower voltages (smaller internal pathways etc) and can achieve higher speeds too. If you have a Tbred or Barton and it's set to 1.50v stock, you aren't actually over-volting it if you raise it to 1.65v as the core is designed to use that voltage, but can run at stock speed with a lower voltage hence one reason AMD used it. So many 0.13mu can often run 1.5-2.0ghz with under 1.60v and the max voltage you see in these cores at stock is 1.65v even for the XP3200+. Sorry that's a bit muddled but I hope it's a little clearer...

[fondie]

Originally posted by Austin
What voltage is classed as 'high' does depend on individual interpretation but I take it to be around 0.05v above the highest norm stock for that type of core. IIRC all 0.18mu used 1.70-1.75v (or thereabouts) so going to 1.80v wasn't pushing them too far.

these 2 comments seem rather antagonistic to me.

i'm aware of the stock voltages thanks, but i wouldn't call 0.05v over stock voltage high, personaly interpretation i suppose, but this forum does consist largely of overclockers, for which surely the whole point is pushing various components beyond their ratings. i'd personally wouldn't think twice of a 1.7v vcore, i personally get a little nervous above around 1.85v, not that it stops me!

anyway, doesn't really matter, as you say, it's a matter of personal perspective.