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Need a recommendation for a good rock stable NForce2 mobo....
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:10 pm
by FlyingPenguin
Thinking of upgrading the main rig. The Iwill XP333 has served me well, but I know it's holding me back performance-wise. What's a good board, preferably with C-Media sound (I don't like the AC97 chipset)?
Not interested in overclocking.
I also haven't decided if I want to continue using my existing PC2100 ram since I have 1 Gig of it, but I wouldn't mind getting something a bit faster than the XP2000+ CPU I'm using now. I'm not really up on this - what's the fastest CPU AMD has that uses PC2100? I'll buy a gig of faster ram if I have to, but I don't need the fastest CPU out there. Best price / performance ratio.
Also time to change cases, so give me some recommendations on nice full tower cases (nice being defined as practical and well engineered - I don't care about looks, it's not for show). Needs at least 4 external 5 1/4 bays, and 2 external 3-1/2.
Thanks...
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:21 pm
by Sean
To start with, the A7N8X rev2 has proven to be an awesome board. I plan on getting one. However, I think it has AC97 audio? Ah, I don't know. All I know is that the nforce is suppose to have the best onboard sound available, so it doesn't matter to me.
there are the other brands out there too, EpoX, Abit, Leadtek, and DFI.
PC2100 is getting slow these days. For my upgrade, I'm lookin at 1 gig of PC3200. That's probably faster than you need though. The Athlon XP 2100+ RevB is suppose to be the best bang for the buck right now. Many get up to at least 166mhz FSB on the nforce2 chipset WITH PC2700. PC3200 may allow you to get to 200fsb. Which is what I plan on doing. I want to get my 2100+ up to at least 2.2 Ghz. We'll see how it goes.
Case wise. I would reccommend those Cheiftec antec like cases. I know I'm not fond of the door, I like having extra room for fans (which is why I have the 3 5.75 and 2 3.5 (the SX800). I believe those are the best cases out there right now. You can pick one up at NewEgg for pretty cheap. (they are in aluminum too, now). If you didn't want one of those, I'm not quite sure what other good cases there are. I'm sure someone else could help you out more. Try
http://www.directron.com for cases. They have a crapload.
Goodluck FP!
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:23 pm
by nexus_7
Ya know, newegg doesnt do Anything for our hobby. Why not support the places that support our hobby? They dont support ANY website, dont Support ANY lan parties, dont do anything for us.
This asus nforce2 board I just got is pretty nice so far.
Greg
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:29 pm
by Sean
Do you mean, greg, like KDComputers?
I just mentioned NewEgg because that's where most of research has taken place. I am about to try pricewatch, and see where I might save more money.
But, FP, KDComputers has alot too.
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:29 pm
by Jim Z
I'd go with the Asus A7N8X Deluxe, personally. It's a bit spendy 'cos they throw everything
including the kitchen sink on it. It has the nvidia "Soundstorm" APU which is significantly better than the C-Media 8738.
If you're not feeling that spendy, the
Leadtek board is supposed to be quite nice as well, without all of the extraneous add-ins like Serial ATA or RAID. It does include Firewire, though. nvidia APU also.
If you
must have the C-media sound, however, then
Chaintech makes a board with one.
Do you mean, greg, like KDComputers?
Wow, they have all of
three Athlon motherboards listed. Wow, what a selection.
Ya know, newegg doesnt do Anything for our hobby. Why not support the places that support our hobby? They dont support ANY website, dont Support ANY lan parties, dont do anything for us.
So what?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:31 pm
by Sean
That's the other brand I was tryin to think of! yeah, Chaintech also ships it with some really cool yellow round IDE cables.
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:34 pm
by nexus_7
any company that supports websites....which newegg doesn't. I just think newegg needs to start hearing with $ cause they don't hear anything else. It's kind of disappointing with all the $ people like us throw at newegg cause of reviews we read of products donated by other sites cause they can save $1 or 2 if that.
Screw you jim...I didn't say KDC...there are Plenty of sites that ARNT newegg that sell plenty of AMD boards. KDC doesn't sell them cause they believe they are less reliable/stable (which many also believe...not me personally).
Like I said. I just think it is ridiculous that all these smaller companies put there heart and soul into getting websites products to review and hoping that in return gets them sales people just turn there back on these people.
Greg
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:37 pm
by wvjohn
i have a couple of 8rda+ boards.tow are oc'd one is not excellent overclockers and extremely stable for me. all 3 have been running f@h 24/7 for months without a crash
the nforce boards unlock the multipliers o tbred a and b chips so you could get around the pc2100 issue by changing the multi, but there is a real difference between 133 and 166+
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:48 pm
by Jim Z
It's kind of disappointing with all the $ people like us throw at newegg cause of reviews we read of products donated by other sites cause they can save $1 or 2 if that.
Most review products seem to come from the manufacturers.
KDC doesn't sell them cause they believe they are less reliable/stable (which many also believe...not me personally).
I'd rather not patronize a business that tries to make decisions for me.
Screw you jim...
Oh,
pardon me for disagreeing with you.
Why do I bother even coming back here?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:48 pm
by Sean
I understand what you're saying Greg. I may get my heatsink there. However, I need to find good prices, cause My upgrade will already cost over $500, and the more I can, the better.
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:55 pm
by PreDatoR
Why do I bother even coming back here?
I think many around here have often wondered about that...
And if you'll look at PCA reviews Jim you'll notice most DON'T come from manufacturer's they come from vendors themselves...
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:04 pm
by dadx2mj
Another vote for the Epox 8RDA+. Mine as been rock stable without a BSOD yet. Just did the repair install thing when I changed out my old Soyo Dragon for it I have my 1700+ TBred doing 1800Mhz with PC2100 in it. Cant wait to see what it will do with some PC3500. Sound quality with onboard sound is good and I have had zero problems wit it. Better price than the Asus but less features as well. Features which I would not use but that may be different for you.
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:07 pm
by nexus_7
Once again genius, I DIDN'T SAY TO SHOP @ KDC. I didn't bring up ANY companies names. You were the one putting words in My mouth, not the other way around wise guy.
And no, MANY of the products reviewed on the new come from Stores...maybe its time to read the reviews instead of just looking at the pictures.
You may get your heatsinks where Sean?
Once again. I didn't say ANY stores yet...but here are some:
http://www.koolcases.com
http://www.kdcomputers.com
http://www.crazypc.com
http://www.epowerhousepc.com
http://www.holomax.com
http://www.performance-pcs.com
http://www.svcompucycle.com
http://www.highspeedpc.com (great warranty on cpu's. you break it, they take it back)
http://www.directron.com
http://www.bulletpc.com
http://www.gameve.com
There...now you have something to say...I have mentioned places to shop....and they support the hobby by providing either $ for sponsorship or products to review....
Greg
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:59 pm
by Judg3
Greg, (Or any of you, really)
Those places you listed, do they ship as reliable as Newegg does? I'm not trying to start a flamewar or anything, but one of the reasons I use newegg is I know I can order 1200$ worth of parts in 2 days and not get any "Your spending a lot of money, please send us a copy of your driver license" or "THere's been a halt on your order until you call us"
For me, I use whoever is reliable and less of a hassle. I'm more or less a typical brand loyalist. I come to PCA all the time because, well, it was the first real forum of this type I went to. I have accounts over at 2cpu, anandtech, hardocp, etc, but don't go there unless I *have* to.
So if any of those guys you listed are just as reliable and have as nice of a selection as newegg, well then I can probably check em out. I'm not one to order 30 parts from 30 vendors, I prefer 1 or 2 orders from the same place. Makes it easier on me, especially with RMA's.
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:03 pm
by Sean
I know a selected few, KDC and Highspeed DO NOT do that. I have only ever ordered from KDC, HighSpeedPC, and SVC. They are ALL GREAT retailers. No problems, ever. And, I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with you spending $1200 at their stores.
Greg, I was saying I might buy my heatsink fron KDC, but, I think I'll look at all those stores, and see what they got and how I can fit it in. thanks for the list.