Best NForce2 Setup, Asus, Abit or DFI? Please take a look...

[p1800volvo]

I would like to make a great system without spending too much money, but it has to perform. So, I figure that an XP 2500 with an NForce2 board would be a great place to start with an OC to XP3200 speed. I need USB2.0 and FireWire. I would also like an opinion on RAM. Is the Crucial PC3200 512 X 2 sticks OK for this setup? Should I go with the Kingston from NewEgg? At $225 for a gig of PC-3700, well it looks like a great deal. Any other suggestions on RAM? Do I need upgraded cooling, and if so what Zalman will fit? It looks a little cramped at the top of the MB. Everything else I can take care of, but the MB choices are hard since they are very alike. What do you all think?

I have narrowed my choices down to the following boards. My useage will be with XP and Linux, Photo and Video Editing and Gaming.

A7N8X Deluxe - $118
A7N8X-E Deluxe - $119
NF7-S - $101
LANPARTY NFII ULTRA B - $158
Any other suggestions???

Will the A7N8X-E OC like the regular delux?

Thanks for your help.

 

[masul0100]

Right now newegg.com has some refurb boards I just picked up (another) a7n8x delux for $60 shipped. That is a pretty good start for a cheap yet high-end system. I like asus (but I don't consider myself a fanboy)

Masul

http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=22&Type=Refurbish
(taken from hot deals thread)

 

[slpaulson]

NF7-S, it's the cheapest and an awesome board for overclocking. The sound is much better than on the Asus also.

 

[Corporate Thug]

abit

asus tech support sucks

 

[WobbleWobble]

Zalman's site says the Abit NF7-S is incompatible with the CNPS-7000 whereas the A7N8X Deluxe will fit.

I'd get the A7N8X-E Deluxe as it as more features for a dollar more than the A7N8X-Deluxe and you would be able to slap on a CNPS-7000 on it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Zalman's site says the Abit NF7-S is incompatible with the CNPS-7000 whereas the A7N8X Deluxe will fit.

I'd get the A7N8X-E Deluxe as it as more features for a dollar more than the A7N8X-Deluxe and you would be able to slap on a CNPS-7000 on it.

the slk series from thermaltake is just as good so i wouldnt use a HSF as a deciding factor

 

[Mem]

Abit N7-S is probably best bet for OC,DFI is an excellent board but really likes Winbond based ram to get the best out of it especially for overclocking,as to the Asus board well it`s a very good board but I`ve always wondered why they stuck with a 2 phase power system over a 3 phase power supply and would give Abit the edge for OC.

So it really comes down to the Asus or Abit IMHO.

 

[p1800volvo]

So I guess we can drop the DFI (but it looks nice!).

What about the RAM? What is good for the ABIT and ASUS? Is the Kingston Ram good, the set I mentioned it in the first post? Or will normal DDR 400 work fine?

Thanks!

 

[Mem]

Crucial ram seems to work well with Asus and Abit boards infact it works well with most boards,I would go with Crucial ram myself unless you need some specialized overclocking ram like from OCZ etc.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: shady06


the slk series from thermaltake is just as good so i wouldnt use a HSF as a deciding factor

The poster mentioned that he wanted to use a Zalman (I was assuming the CNPS-7000) and that's why I brought that up.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd go Asus since I personally don't really put full faith into Abit.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
NF7-S, it's the cheapest and an awesome board for overclocking. The sound is much better than on the Asus also.

Originally posted by: shady06
abit
asus tech support sucks

I'll second both of those opinions.

 

[AngryGames]

lots of customers using the Infinity and LanParty B are having excellent luck with the following RAM (250+ FSB, we've hit as high as 280FSB):

Mushkin Level 2 Black
Kingston HyperX
OCZ Gold
Buffalo (Micron C and Winbond BH-5/CH-5)
Adata
GEIL (platinum and golden dragon)
Corsair XMS

NF7-S is a hell of a motherboard, much better in my opinion than the Asus board =)

 

[wicktron]

DFI NF2 Ultra Infinity -- The NF2 OC'ing beast.