02-09-2004, 05:58 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Upright
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Chosing a Motherboard
When I've saved enought money I'm gonig to build my next computer. But I know very little about chosing a motherboard.
e.g. Two motherboards take the same processor have the same amount of slots for RAM & goodies like graphics cards. How do you know which is the better of the two motherboards ? |
02-09-2004, 06:06 AM | #2 (permalink) |
I'm a family man - I run a family business.
Location: Wilson, NC
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well, first I'd look at how GOOD of RAM it supports. DDR266/333/400. 400 being the best. Make sure the AGP slot is 8x, but I doubt many come without it nowadays. See what Chipset is in the motheboard also. Via, nForce2, etc. nForce2 is better in my opinion.
Also, see if the onboard sound is good. 5.1 compatible, stuff like that. See if the motherboard has LAN build-in.
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02-09-2004, 06:07 AM | #3 (permalink) |
On the edge of control
Location: Ga
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Usually by the manufacture and the cost you can have two boards that have the same features but if one is 35 bucks and the other is 70 I would tend to lean to the higher price board also word of mouth ask around I personaly like abit and asus
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02-09-2004, 06:11 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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There are multiple things to look at. Check if the boards support DDR400, 8X AGP, however many PCI slots you want, however many RAM slots you want, USB 2.0 support, which chipset it has, which onboard sound it has, if it has onboard LAN, onboard SATA support, and if it supports the absolute best of processors for that socket type (AMD or Intel).
You know, to make this really simple, I'd just get either the Abit NF7-S 2.0 or the Asus A7N8X Deluxe if you're gonna go with AMD, and the Abit IC7 series if you're gonna go with Intel. Those are the best motherboards for each type of processor...you don't need to look at anything else. -Lasereth
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02-09-2004, 10:18 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Loves my girl in thongs
Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada
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Me thinks Lasereth is *slightly* biased
Seriously, research what's best for you and keep in mind that USB 2.0 and SATA are emerging standards that are set to replace their predecesors and that 8x is the current AGP standard. I'm biased towards the VIA chuipset like Lasereth is biased towards NVidia, so choose what you like. I stick to MSI, Shuttle,Abit,and DFI in that order for mobo maker prefrence.
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02-09-2004, 10:26 AM | #6 (permalink) |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Biased towards NVIDIA? Where'd you get that opinion?
If you want the best mobo, then I'd get the ones I suggested. There are other MUCH cheaper motherboards out there, but I simply believe that all of them are inferior to the ones I listed. If you're talking about nForce 2 chipsets, then yes, both of the AMD boards I suggested have it. I'm not recommending them because of that chipset, though -- I'm simply giving knowledge that I've read through a ton of reviews and personal experiences. The mobo manufacturer is much more important than the chipset. -Lasereth
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
02-09-2004, 10:31 AM | #7 (permalink) | |
Loves my girl in thongs
Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada
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Quote:
I'm just joking around based on your constant recomendation of boards containing an NVidia chipset I still like VIA chipsets and am not as big a fan of ABIT as you, so i sugggested other options. No hard feelings
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Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever |
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02-09-2004, 10:47 AM | #8 (permalink) |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Roger that. I'll admit that my BioStar motherboard from this past summer came completed fucked, and it was an nForce 2 chipset. I've also heard that some RAM types won't work with it. Oh well, it just so happens that my favorite boards come with it.
An interesting fact is that the VIA chipset for Athlon 64 motherboards is actually doing much better than the nForce 3 chipset. If I upgrade to Athlon 64 in the distant future, I'll probably be going with VIA. -Lasereth
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
02-09-2004, 05:18 PM | #10 (permalink) |
I'm a family man - I run a family business.
Location: Wilson, NC
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other than the suggestions given, you might want to check out review sites like tomshardware.com and anandtech.com. Those guys know their shit, and they do tons of research on every single product they review. Although Tom's Hardware has been known to be biased towards Intel products in the past, they still give really good guides and advice as to what the best hardware on the market is.
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Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush. |
02-09-2004, 05:20 PM | #11 (permalink) |
Holy Knight of The Alliance
Location: Stormwind, The Eastern Kingdoms, Azeroth
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amen to that brotha
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02-09-2004, 05:23 PM | #12 (permalink) | |
Huzzah for Welcome Week, Much beer shall I imbibe.
Location: UCSB
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Quote:
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I'm leaving for the University of California: Santa Barbara in 5 hours, give me your best college advice - things I need, good ideas, bad ideas, nooky, ect. Originally Posted by Norseman on another forum: "Yeah, the problem with the world is the stupid people are all cocksure of themselves and the intellectuals are full of doubt." |
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02-09-2004, 11:40 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
Huzzah for Welcome Week, Much beer shall I imbibe.
Location: UCSB
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Quote:
__________________
I'm leaving for the University of California: Santa Barbara in 5 hours, give me your best college advice - things I need, good ideas, bad ideas, nooky, ect. Originally Posted by Norseman on another forum: "Yeah, the problem with the world is the stupid people are all cocksure of themselves and the intellectuals are full of doubt." |
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02-10-2004, 03:21 PM | #15 (permalink) |
Insane
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A7N8X-E Deluxe. Basically has all the nice features of the Abit NF7-S, such as SoundStorm APU and two kinds of built-in LAN cards, so its better than the regular A7N8X Deluxe 2.0.
Check it out here http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTc3
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02-11-2004, 12:58 PM | #18 (permalink) | |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Quote:
-Lasereth
__________________
"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
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02-11-2004, 02:30 PM | #19 (permalink) |
Buffering.........
Location: Wisconsin...
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I love gigabyte boards...I've bought over 25 in a year and haven't had a bad one yet...
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chosing, motherboard |
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