Mother board

[Sherlock]

OK, after months of research for building my own kick ass pc, who really makes the best quality motherboard? Also please give me suggestions on specific models. I would definitely like DDR and will most likely go with a Pentium processor.

[Dave420]

if you go with the pentium processor -you will not have the fastest computer available,or the most stable -but the best P4 board I have used is Asus P4C800DX i875P -read up on it here -
http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4c800-d/overview.htm
it sells for around $200
if you want to compare AMD setups to it I would be glad to offer you some advice on that- I have a AMD 2500+ and in all the bechmarks and real life it blows away the P4 3 gig with the 800mhz bus.and it is $320 less for the processor and almost $100 less for the board-go figure....

[Toyotathon]

Yea - Dave sold me on the AMD sometime back. Now, I would have nothing else!!!

[Zero Tolerance]

There are chips other than AMD??

go figure :D

All jokes aside....I like SOYO boards...but ASUS is good too...stay away from bargain basements and some of the cheaper mfgrs like FIC and Amptron....actually I would prolly go with an Amptron over an FIC if i had to go that route

have fun!

[Dave420]

if you must go with a cheaper board then epox is a good choice-they have a very good service department,as long as you use the email contact(forget the phone-they just direct you to the email).

[Sherlock]

ok...I've been talked into the AMD. I don't have to go inexpensive, I prefer quality in everything I buy. Is ASUS still a good motherboard and if anyone has model numbers, that would be helpful. Will look into SOYO also. Are all graphics cards compatible with the AMD processors...hope that doesn't sound like an ignorant question. I will also be running some Microsoft applications such as Word, Powerpoint...etc.

[Zero Tolerance]

yes they are

If you arent producing movies of the exceptional type...or playing hi end games like Unreal Tournament 2003 or somethin...I would look for a goo NVidia GForce 4 TI4200 or 4600 card.....DONT GET THE MX line....

if you use the TI you will have a really good gfx card for a nice price.....or if you wanna have the best gfx card out for a purebread gaming monster.....then get the newest Gforce card

[Dave420]

as I said above-epox is a real nice medium priced board-Asus is always a good choice -but the price is high for the same features.Soyo is also a good choice -but the did peak with the dragon series(that is why ZT is in love with them)the newer boards ,while still very good are not as fast.if you want a fast ,stable board with very good tech support and rma support (just in case)look at either the Epox 8RDA+ (for up to a 333 bus)or the 8RDA3+ (a little more money but supports the 3000+ and 3200+ on the 800mhz bus)both boards are loaded with features and I can tell you from experience that their support is very good.

as for video -they support the new 8x agp 3.0 standard.they will work with any new card(1.5v) and this board has a setting in the bios to support the older AGP 3.3v cards(I have never tried this)like the voodo line.but if you want real fast I would also recomend the Geforce FX 5900 ultra(256meg flavor)or the Gefroce FX 5900(128 meg flavor)-other then the amount of ram they are the same card(unlike in the past -the ultra was clocked faster)

[Greg]

Originally posted by Dave420
as for video -they support the new 8x agp 3.0 standard.they will work with any new card(1.5v) and this board has a setting in the bios to support the older AGP 3.3v cards(I have never tried this)like the voodo line.

While the board may have a setting in bios, I just purchased one from asus, it is not backward compatable on the video. It says it is, but it can't accomadate the old style video card. The slot is different.

Plan on buying a new video card if you upgrade to a board that needs AGP 8x 1.5 v.

If you would like pricing please contact me with model numbers. Everything is for sale.

[Dave420]

just to clearify -if it looks like this it is agp 2x and will not work because it will not fit in the 8x slot (notice only 1 line cut between connecters)

[Dave420]

if it looks like this then it is agp 2.0(4x) or 3.0(8x)complient and will work -the voltage setting is for the 4x agp card because some older models require 3.3 volt.the voodo card posted above is a agp 1.0 card and will not fit at all in a agp3.0(8x) slot.sory for any confusion.

[Greg]

Nice photos. Thanks!

[Mojo_Joe]

I thought I read somewhere that the New ATI's were faster than comparably priced Nvidia cards... All I have are Nvidia's so I really can't compare, though.

As for AMD chips... I know they are cheaper, but I have had some real bad luck in the past with AMD product. If I build my own machine I usually try to buy Intel boxed product. Has AMD gotten more reliable...?

[clodhopper]

I have always ran AMD. Have never lost a processor or even had slightest of problems.
Currently running the Asus A7N8X deluxe, If you go with the xp2500+ you won't be sorry, the barton core is a overclocking SOB.
Also have the ti4200 video card and it runs flawlessly.:D
I work with someone running a P4 and was hating life, he just built the same system I have and in the bench mark tests the barton processor handed it its a$$.

[Dave420]

Originally posted by Mojo_Joe
I thought I read somewhere that the New ATI's were faster than comparably priced Nvidia cards... All I have are Nvidia's so I really can't compare, though.

As for AMD chips... I know they are cheaper, but I have had some real bad luck in the past with AMD product. If I build my own machine I usually try to buy Intel boxed product. Has AMD gotten more reliable...?

the only amd chips that were a problem were the k5 and k6 -after the athlon they have been sweet-and a lot faster then a P4 at the same (or most of the time even a faster)clock speed.
as for the ATI - Nvidia race -in the top end cards (9800 pro for ati and 5900 ultra for nvidia)they are almost neck and neck -but the nvidia is a little bit ahead at this point-up untill last monthe the ATI card was in the lead(because of the defunct Geforce fx 5800).in the end either card is a good choice-just depends on who you like.

[Zero Tolerance]

and dont forget....the good ole ti4200's can be had for under 100 bucks.....and you cant beat that bang for the buck!

[bilp00]

I have a ASUS A7V8X-X That I purchased about 6 months ago. It became "squirley" in December. I have been unable to get it to work dependable (Changes replaced various cards. reformated the HD, tried a new HD, tried new memory (using Kingston), etc, etc., ) About all I can get it to do now is turn on, often have to cut off power to shut it down, That with only a video card and an ATA (can no longer load OS with the ATA card) installed!!! Have tried to get support/replacement from ASUS. They are slow to respond and are basically giving me the run around. Even if they eventually relent and repair/replace the board this will be my last ASUS board.

Have had extremely good luck with TYAN boards. Used one FIC, little difficult to work with but never gave a problem. Best I can tell, high prices, old name mfg or a brand X from a new company, it is a krap shoot. Get the featuers you want and hope for the best. IF you buy from a local dealer ( I never have) you may be better off on service but the price difference after 2 or 3 boards will cover a new one anyway.

Good Luck
bilp00

[Greg]

blip00,

I'm truely surprised you have issues with Asus's A7V8X-X. In fact I have the same board here running an Anthlon XP 1800. It's never given me any issues. For that matter no Asus has ever given me a problem.

I hear tyan is good. I wouldn't use FIC if ya gave it to me.

[Dave420]

I have had issues with a few Asus boards -but overall they are usually prety good.