Athlon XP Mobo Upgrade - Help!

[fighterpilot]

I have a PC that I want to get a new motherboard for. My USB ports for whatever reason on this PC seem to be shot. It is an EPOX board, that has served me well, and hosts an Athlon XP 1800+. For right now I want to upgrade to a new board that has some upwards compatability, but will be using all my existing hardware with it. This PC is used mainly for working purposes, but it does get some gaming use on occassion when a buddy comes over and we decide to fly a mission or two in Falcon 4, or some other game. I am overwhelmed by all the available mobos since I have not been in the market for one in a while.

I currently have:
CPU: Athlon XP 1800+
IDE: Ultra 133 add-on card that would be nice to have replaced by onboard U133
Memory: 1 stick 512MB PC2100
Graphics: GeForce 3

What I am looking for is:

CPU: Socket A up to FSB400
IDE: Ultra 133 for compatibilty, but would like SATA 150 as well for future upgradability
Memory: Of course compatible with PC2100 and option to go to DDR400
LAN: 10/100 Onboard-LAN
USB: At least one USB 2.0 header for front mount option.
Audio: Some kind of onboard audio is preferable, but not required
Video: No onboard video is required, unless graphics are better than GeForce 3 currenty in the system, then great!
And of course standard other stuff like AGP, PCI, and floppy ports.

I am not looking for top-notch, but I am looking for stability, reliability, and from a good company. I don't intend to overclock it, so microstepping clock speeds isn't really needed.

I am looking to spend around $100US or less, and intend on purchasing from newegg.com since I have had good luck with them many times in the past. So far, I have found:

ABIT NF7-S
ABIT KV7
MSI KT6 Delta-LSR (VIA)
GIGABYTE GA-7N400 PRO2

Anyone have suggestions/comments?

Thanks!

 

[Vette73]

I would go with a KT600 board. Offers everything you want at a great price.

Here is a decent one that fits the bill for less then $100

Also not bad

 

[Leonsteward]

i recommend the ASUS A7V600 its a KT600, and ive had no problems with it at all, got good expandiability especially for usb if your case offers front usb ports you can accommodate all that on there.

 

[fighterpilot]

Thanks guys, but is there really a difference bewtween VIA and nForce 2? It seems VIA is usually a bit cheaper, but is there any distinct advantage to having the nForce 2?

Thanks again!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: fighterpilot
Thanks guys, but is there really a difference bewtween VIA and nForce 2? It seems VIA is usually a bit cheaper, but is there any distinct advantage to having the nForce 2?

Thanks again!

There isn't much real world performance difference between the nF2 and KT600@stock speeds but price shouldn't a factor in your purchasing decision as there are nF2 boards that are just as inexpensive as the KT600. The Shuttle AN35N-Ultra is only $62.99 shipped from newegg and meets your requirements. No PATA or SATA raid, soundstorm, IEEE1394 but it meets the criteria you listed and Shuttle is definitely a solid company. I've used Shuttle for myself and other's systems and they are definitely stable, reliable, and offer very good price to performance ratios. I have a Shuttle SFF XPC at the moment and it's a jewel, the MN31N systems I've built are beauties too :beer: Edit: I just finished upgrading someone's Shuttle AK31-A system from 98se to win2kpro and it's still running like clockwork some 18months? or more? later </shuttle testimonial>

 

[fighterpilot]

I too, have a Shuttle XPC (SS51G) and have been very satisfied with it for the past year+. As a matter of fact, just popped in a 3.06GHz P4 CPU upgrading from a 2.4 GHz.

Due to this, I considered the Shuttle boards, but only their most expensive board comes with SATA. I don't have any SATA drives at the moment, but want the upgradability for down the road. I don't upgrade this PC much since I don't ask a whole lot out of it. It is already about 2 years old, and probably wouldn't upgrade the mobo if it weren't for it acting quirky and my USB ports dying on me. But next time I add a hard drive it will most likely be a SATA since that is the direction things are heading.

I think I may go with the ABIT NF7-S only due to the fact that it comes with the SoundStorm and can move my Audigy card to another PC. I will probably play mp3's frequently, and games occasionally on it, so the onboard sound should be adequate. Hell, my Shuttle SS51G onboard sound has worked great for intense gaming, and it uses a Realtek AC'97 Audio chip.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Can't go wrong with the Abit. The Shuttle would have been great for now, audio is the same used in the SS51G, and PCI SATA cards will just get cheaper so you could add one later, but since $30 or so obviously isn't an issue for you the NF7-s is the best price-to-performance-to-features ratio in the nF2 catagory IMHO.

 

[fireontheway]

If only i could find out if my AN35N Ultra was giving correct temp readings i'd say Shuttle AN35N !

 

[PlAtUs]

i have an abit nf7s rev 2.0
i found it a good value for money mobo
it has sound on board
400mhz fsb
sata 150
lan 10/100

 

[Incomplete]

There is a mobo that fits your needs PERFECTLY, and for what it offers, it has a rock bottom price tag, i bought one myself. I'm talking about the Biostar M7NCD Ultra. Here is a link to it on FuturePowerPC: http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/details.asp?PRDCODE=MB_BIO_M7NCDU

You will LOVE this board. Great overclockability. And at an 89.00 dollar price tag, its a steal!