Are there ANY m-ATX mobos with native FSB400?

[greenehorn]

I am trying to put together a micro-atx system with a XP2500 to OC. For the life of me, I can't find a micro-atx mobo with either nforce2-ultra 400 or VIA KT600 chipset in that form factor. Is there a specific reason?

The closest thing is like a Biostar M7NCG400 that people say will get there, but that still isn't really native support for DDR400. This will be a gaming and productivity box and I want to try OC the Barton 2500 up to DDR400. I plan on putting in a AIW9600Pro as well. There is a Shuttle cube now that has nf2 ultra 400 chipset, but I don't really want to go quite that small. I just like the micro-atx cases.

Is it just a matter of time before m-atx boards come out with these chipsets, or will I be waiting in vain? If anyone has other options, I'm all ears. Don't really need IGP, but I realize they are pretty much standard with m-atx boards. Don't really need SATA or RAID either, but I'd do it if the board was right.

Help!

 

[mechBgon]

Watch for the upcoming Asus A7N8X-VM/400. It'll be an IGP board that has full 400MHz FSB support. I haven't read the manual yet, so I'm not guaranteeing it'll have the tweakability you're looking for, but it's mATX and handles 400MHz processors. I'm not seeing any other options on nVidia's list that combine a 400MHz-capable northbridge with a microATX format.

Bigger picture: do you have a respectable 300W+ power supply in your mATX case? If not, you better get that one figured out first, if you're planning a gaming system with a 9600Pro AIW in it AND an oc'ed Barton. The video card actually draws nearly as much juice as the CPU itself. I've heard all the yammering from the SFF people about how "well, but Shuttles use a 220W PSU, so there!" and I'm not buying it... get a 300W+ unit, preferably 350W+. That's my story, and I'm... yeah.

 

[Vette73]

I think the biggest problem is the onboard video will cause the system to be unstable at 400Mhz, that is why no board makers says THEIR board can do it. I am sure some of them can be set that high, but the IGP messes it up.

 

[Blooz1]

How do y'all think that Bioostar board would do for a <U>mild</U> OC?

I'm looking for an nForce MATX board for an HTPC so I can take advantage of the Soundstorm, as this machine will see extensive use with audio files. I just want to be able to run a 1700A in the 1.7-1.8GHz range, nothing "barnburning".

 

[greenehorn]

Great answers. Thanks. So the IGP is likely to cause instability when OC to 400, huh? Even if the IGP is disabled in the BIOS?

Then I guess what I really want is an m-atx board without IGP. Doubt that will happen. Looks like I'm stuck with a XPC SN45G with potential power issues or back to the good ole giant case.

Oh well. Thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: greenehorn
Great answers. Thanks. So the IGP is likely to cause instability when OC to 400, huh? Even if the IGP is disabled in the BIOS?

Then I guess what I really want is an m-atx board without IGP. Doubt that will happen. Looks like I'm stuck with a XPC SN45G with potential power issues or back to the good ole giant case.

Oh well. Thanks.

Well, or watch for the A7N8X-VM/400.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
I think the biggest problem is the onboard video will cause the system to be unstable at 400Mhz, that is why no board makers says THEIR board can do it. I am sure some of them can be set that high, but the IGP messes it up.

Nah, the IGP is OK@400DDR and even slightly higher, it just depends on the board. I haven't seen a mATX that will but several manufacturer's full sized ATX nF2 IGP boards will. My SL-75MRN-L will do 400DDR dual channel synch mode silky smooth and even permit for overclocking the IGP core speed a bit, it just requires good chipset cooling and adjustable vdd

 

[greenehorn]

Since you sent me to the nVidia list page (thank you), I did actually find one. The Chaintech 7NIL1 does just what I think I want. It doesn't even have the IGP. I may have to give it a try.
Chaintech link

I was thinking perhaps about this case with a 300W PS, hoping that will give me enough oomph.