Suggestions for a Budget Motherboard (Socket A) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SecretMethod70 · 09-11-2004, 09:07 PM

Onodrim and I are looking into getting a new motherboard for her computer (not really looking into - it's necessary) but we're not looking to find one that costs a lot - maybe $40-$60 at the most. This mobo needs to be ATX and will be used with DDR Ram and an AthlonXP 2000+. Thing is, I've not looked into motherboards for quite some time so I have no idea what chipsets are good any longer.

So....any suggestions?

Lasereth · 09-12-2004, 07:02 AM

Do you want it upgradeable for future processors and RAM? Does it need onboard video, sound, LAN, or SATA/RAID? Does it matter if it supports the 2000+ and the RAM but nothing further than that?

If ya can fill out the LasQuestionaire then it'll narrow it down a lot. There's a mobo on NewEgg that'll support your processor and RAM for $26.

As for chipset...if you're gonna spend $40-$60, then it doesn't matter.

-Lasereth

SecretMethod70 · 09-12-2004, 09:24 AM

The better it is in that price range, the more preferable. All that is NECESSARY is that it supports the AthlonXP 2000+, has 2 slots for DDR RAM, and has onboard sound and LAN. SATA/RAID is absolutely not necessary, and upgradability is pretty forsakable as well. Her motherboard got fried so we're getting a new one just to create a working computer again, not really to upgrade.

40-60 is not a hard limit, especially since onboard LAN will save her about $15 anyway, so, say, 65 is doable. Onboard sound is absolutely necessary, onboard LAN is preferred.

Hope that helps

Lasereth · 09-12-2004, 01:00 PM

NewEgg.com has a nice mobo for $26:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...185-010&depa=1

I wouldn't spend any more than that according to your needs. Forget this chipset or that chipset...this one will do fine.

-Lasereth

SecretMethod70 · 09-12-2004, 03:08 PM

Well, one thing I didn't mention is that, while it likely won't be used for upgrading, Onodrim will be playing games on it, such as UT2k4 and NWN. I know the mobo isn't a HUGE thing when it comes to performance but I also know that it does play a role as well. So, if a semi-significant performance gain can be had by a somewhat more expensive mobo, that's fine too.

Sabu · 09-12-2004, 03:14 PM

that mobo got KT266 chipset.... and if games are gonna be played then its well worth a few extra dollars on it...

go for the KT400 or KT600..

Lasereth · 09-12-2004, 03:38 PM

There won't be a gain by buying a better motherboard. Having a better chipset has an affect on games every now and then, but even in the most extreme of cases the increase is barely (if at all) noticeable. When you're buying a budget motherboard, the chipset doesn't matter. The only motherboard I'd buy if you want to spend more than $65 is the Abit NF7-S which is the best mobo on the market if ya ask me. It's about $80-$90.

-Lasereth

moonpie · 09-14-2004, 12:39 PM

Get an Asus A7N8X series. The revision 2 is awesome, but for a few bucks less you can get the A7N8X-X. I use it and it's friggin awesome. Athlon XP 3200+, 1Gig of DDR, AGP 8X, onboard lan and damn good sound via the nvidia nforce2 chipset. If you want good sound, don't by a non-nVidia chipset if you want good sound.

Wyodiver33 · 09-14-2004, 03:17 PM

I whole-heartedly agree with moonpie, you can't go wrong with an ASUS A7N8X. I have an A7N8X Deluxe 2.0 and it's been a great mobo. For the price range you are looking for, the A7N8X -X for $61 would be a great choice. But the on-board sound on the -X board probably isn't as good as the Deluxe. Here's a link for the -X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-468&depa=0

Hope that helps.

09-11-2004, 09:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Suggestions for a Budget Motherboard (Socket A) Onodrim and I are looking into getting a new motherboard for her computer (not really looking into - it's necessary) but we're not looking to find one that costs a lot - maybe $40-$60 at the most. This mobo needs to be ATX and will be used with DDR Ram and an AthlonXP 2000+. Thing is, I've not looked into motherboards for quite some time so I have no idea what chipsets are good any longer. So....any suggestions? __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

09-12-2004, 07:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Do you want it upgradeable for future processors and RAM? Does it need onboard video, sound, LAN, or SATA/RAID? Does it matter if it supports the 2000+ and the RAM but nothing further than that? If ya can fill out the LasQuestionaire then it'll narrow it down a lot. There's a mobo on NewEgg that'll support your processor and RAM for $26. As for chipset...if you're gonna spend $40-$60, then it doesn't matter. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-12-2004, 09:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	The better it is in that price range, the more preferable. All that is NECESSARY is that it supports the AthlonXP 2000+, has 2 slots for DDR RAM, and has onboard sound and LAN. SATA/RAID is absolutely not necessary, and upgradability is pretty forsakable as well. Her motherboard got fried so we're getting a new one just to create a working computer again, not really to upgrade. 40-60 is not a hard limit, especially since onboard LAN will save her about $15 anyway, so, say, 65 is doable. Onboard sound is absolutely necessary, onboard LAN is preferred. Hope that helps __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

09-12-2004, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	NewEgg.com has a nice mobo for $26: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...185-010&depa=1 I wouldn't spend any more than that according to your needs. Forget this chipset or that chipset...this one will do fine. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-12-2004, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Well, one thing I didn't mention is that, while it likely won't be used for upgrading, Onodrim will be playing games on it, such as UT2k4 and NWN. I know the mobo isn't a HUGE thing when it comes to performance but I also know that it does play a role as well. So, if a semi-significant performance gain can be had by a somewhat more expensive mobo, that's fine too. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

09-12-2004, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sabu Upright Location: England	that mobo got KT266 chipset.... and if games are gonna be played then its well worth a few extra dollars on it... go for the KT400 or KT600.. __________________ Beer improves framerate.....

09-12-2004, 03:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	There won't be a gain by buying a better motherboard. Having a better chipset has an affect on games every now and then, but even in the most extreme of cases the increase is barely (if at all) noticeable. When you're buying a budget motherboard, the chipset doesn't matter. The only motherboard I'd buy if you want to spend more than $65 is the Abit NF7-S which is the best mobo on the market if ya ask me. It's about $80-$90. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-14-2004, 12:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
moonpie Upright	Get an Asus A7N8X series. The revision 2 is awesome, but for a few bucks less you can get the A7N8X-X. I use it and it's friggin awesome. Athlon XP 3200+, 1Gig of DDR, AGP 8X, onboard lan and damn good sound via the nvidia nforce2 chipset. If you want good sound, don't by a non-nVidia chipset if you want good sound.

09-14-2004, 03:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	I whole-heartedly agree with moonpie, you can't go wrong with an ASUS A7N8X. I have an A7N8X Deluxe 2.0 and it's been a great mobo. For the price range you are looking for, the A7N8X -X for $61 would be a great choice. But the on-board sound on the -X board probably isn't as good as the Deluxe. Here's a link for the -X http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-468&depa=0 Hope that helps. __________________ I like stuff.