Need A New Motherboard

[Plod2151]

Hi everyone. Ordering a new motherboard. Needs to accept a AMD 3000+. Must be a nForce chipset. Needs onboard LAN and sound. No onboard graphics. Need to support DDR 400. Around the 100 quid mark. Any suggestions

[Austin]

Similar to another thread so check that out too (they stipulate they want Asus or MSI though).

Basically there are two key types of nForce2 onboard sound, nVidia's soundchip (usually with the Soundstorm moniker) and bog std onboard sound. The former is superb while the latter is merely passable. Other than that you should find they all have onboard LAN and unless they are IGP will not have onboard gfx (GF4MX). If you want certified 400FSB then you'll need either an nForce2 'Ultra 400' or '400' (former has Dual Channel so a 5% over all perf boost). Top picks at the mo are Abit NF7-S v2.0 and Asus A7N8X Deluxe with Epox and MSI's Ultra 400 mobos close behind ... there are plenty of alternatives including non-nForce2 options like KT600 & SiS748.

[Plod2151]

Can you overclock the ASUS board which is sounding good to me so far

[Agent]

Abit

Overclocks better than the ASUS aswell

[Speedo]

Abit NF7-S v2.0
Asus A7N8X v2.0
or..
DFI LanParty nForce2 (bit more than £100)

Only 3 i'd go for atm , not seen anything about the new Abit board but it sounds like it's just an updated NF7-S v2.0 with the uguru chip, perhaps worth a look.

[Austin]

From what I've heard 'round here the new ABit nForce2 (AN7?) is best avoided ... better off with the 'old' (LOL) NF7-S v2.0. The Abit NF7-S v2.0 is the one people hold in the highest regard around here and is generally regarded as the best o/c'er but I doubt any of the top nForce2 mobos will let you down in that respect ... NF7-S just has a few minor niggles that bother me, I'd take Asus A7N8X Deluxe v2.0 myself.

[BUFF]

Originally posted by Austin
NF7-S just has a few minor niggles that bother me, I'd take Asus A7N8X Deluxe v2.0 myself.

Austin,

I swear that you are very much in the minority re. the active nb heatsink/fan

[Agent]

Originally posted by BUFF
Austin,

I swear that you are very much in the minority re. the active nb heatsink/fan

Its keeping my chipset at 2.1 volts happy

[Austin]

Originally posted by Agent
Its keeping my chipset at 2.1 volts happy

2.1v! What do you run at? 800FSB LOL! That seriously scary Agent. It's not just the active NB cooling fan (which is pretty loud and awful quality with a crap HS) but there are other niggles (maybe I'm a perfectionist) like the poor layout which causes cable clutter or the lack of an 'XP rating' when you o/c (very deflating).

[Agent]

Originally posted by Austin
2.1v! What do you run at? 800FSB LOL! That seriously scary Agent. It's not just the active NB cooling fan (which is pretty loud and awful quality with a crap HS) but there are other niggles (maybe I'm a perfectionist) like the poor layout which causes cable clutter or the lack of an 'XP rating' when you o/c (very deflating).

FSB is only at 480 at the moment. Im sure i can get it higher with more tweaking though.

Layout - The only problem with the layout is the power connector, everything else is fine really.

As for XP rating.....



On my system : Select and your overclocked with the XP rating..... hehe

[Big RICHARD]

239 FSB? Bloomin' eck! Is that why you need to stick 2.1 volts up its chuff?

[Austin]

What mobo's that on Agent? Epox nForce2 perhaps? I bet you use some serious RAM in there, right?

[hotpurple]

I'd reccommend the asus. I've been using one since they came out. They are very fast and very stable. As regards overclcocking they will do that fine and have just about every option under the sun (more if you use the uber bios).

All in all a good board

Chris

[Agent]

Originally posted by Austin
What mobo's that on Agent? Epox nForce2 perhaps? I bet you use some serious RAM in there, right?

NF7-S

RAM : OCZ PC4200 here

[3Dfx]

ABit NF7-S Verson 2.0 is the best board at the moment.

Nforce 2 Ultra 400 MCP