Motherboard Advice

by **AnimalCracka** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 12:50 pm

Im getting a new mobo and processor and was wondering if some of you guys can give me some advice on which one to get. These are the three that Im looking at.

#1 http://www.buyxtremegear.com/kd7raid.html

#2 http://www.buyxtremegear.com/msik7n2.html

#3 http://www.buyxtremegear.com/a7n8x.html

So what do ya think? Any others suggestions are welcome but I am trying to stay under $100 on it. Thanks for your help.

by **Bullhead** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 12:58 pm

If you're going with an AMD platform, nothing can touch the Nforce2's for performance. Tha'ts my 2 cents (and i've owned both an nforce2 and a KT400, both high-end boards). otherwise, I'd avoid SOYO like a plague, I'm not a big fan of ASUS (due to support issues I've had), although the quality of their product is great, and I'm a HUGE fan of ABIT (both for product quality and support). I've never owned an MSI board, but they get great reviews for being inexpensive yet High-quality, and a very good, trusted, knowledgable friend loves MSI. All three are probably great, although I'd still suggest an nforce2 board (the dual-channel mem is AWESOME for bandwidth.....)

Now, that being said, I like the MSI best of the 3 b/c it's an NF2 board, and I like the layout of the board better than the ASUS (the asus looks like the IDE connectors are in a shitty spot for cable mgmt, big vid cards, etc.). Also, if you want awesome onboard audio, grab one of the soundstorm certified boards (ABIT NF7-S, ASUS a7n8x, and one other I think are certified), it's what I have and it sounds as good, if not better than my Audigy I had without all the creative driver CRAP.

by **JimmyTango** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:26 pm

Abit's support is as bad as Asus's.

My IC7 was a first revision, which had the northbridge fan problem. Sure enough, mine started to make the sound. Abit admits the problem, and overseas, sends you a new heatsink and fan for the northbridge.

I contact AbitUSA. Nope. I have to send the montherboard to them so that they can replace the heatsink/fan. Even though i give them the seriel number, prove I have the board with the poorly designed fan that they ADMIT is faulty, they tell me I have to pay for shipping to them of my motherboard, and be without it for 10 to 14 days.

by **Rule of Wrist** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:29 pm

Originally posted by JimmyTango
Abit's support is as bad as Asus's.

My IC7 was a first revision, which had the northbridge fan problem. Sure enough, mine started to make the sound. Abit admits the problem, and overseas, sends you a new heatsink and fan for the northbridge.

I contact AbitUSA. Nope. I have to send the montherboard to them so that they can replace the heatsink/fan.

I would blame the litigious atmosphere in america vs overseas for this problem, as ABIT probably doesn't want the associated liability with letting customers work on their systems...

by **Wairudo Enjin** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:30 pm

I have the Asus A7N8X deluxe board, and it has performed very well for me.

by **JimmyTango** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:31 pm

The sad thing is all it was was an automated response. I never had a response from a human. Typical BS, I fill out the form, give detailed information, and all I get is 'request an RMA number and send it in.'

by **RCglider** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 7:10 pm

If you want to stay or hover around $100, don't get Asus A7N8X non-deluxe unless you are installing a sound card as it has the cheapy ob sound. However, if you do get the Deluxe ( http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1315&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1 ), the ob sound is very good and I'd put it up against Audigy2 any day. I've had no problems.
Abit nf2 is supposed to be good, but not sure if it has true Soundstorm audio.

Not sure about MSI nf2.

by **Bullhead** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:45 pm

NF2 isn't soundstorm by default, only the ones that have the MCP-T southbridge (if I remember right). Nvidia has a list on their site of all the boards that are soundstorm certified (the NF7-S is one of the few).

Jimmy, paying to ship to a place it standard for any RMA, I've had it with at least a hlaf-dozen or more manufacturers. That being said, was the repair performed in a timely manner? and was it fixed right? b/c SOYO kept my board for over 2 months before sending it back (and I paid EXTRA to get it sent back FASTER), and it came back working, but with leaking capacitors, and thermal paste/scratches on a few caps around the CPU socket.

by **Rand0m** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:12 pm

Go with he good one, and most expensive its good to spoil yourself hahaha. Jk get the fastest one and the one you feel is best.

by **AnimalCracka** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 12:10 am

Thanks for the replies guys.

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