Help choosing nforce 2 mobo!!!

[integ94]

Hi,
I just decided to upgrade my old p3-700 system to Amd Barton 2500.
I have reseached all nforce mobo, still cant decide what i can get? I dont need any fancy feature such as SATA, Firewire and Sound Storm(Currently, using SB Live value and using Analog 2pieces speaker but i might to get Audigy 2 or Audigy later as soon as i have $). However, i need a good overcloking feature like FSB 200-210 and stable sys. I have decided cpu and mem but not mobo yet

Cpu: Xp 2500 Retail.
Mem: Buffalo 512MB PC3200 or Gail 512 PC3200.
PSU: Allied 400w.

These mobo are my candidates(price from Newegg):
Aopen AK79D-400vn $81
Albatron KX18D pro $76
Abit NF7 $94
Gigabyte GA-7N400-L $84
Shuttle AN35N-ultra $69
Soltek SL-NV400-L64 $76

Plz help me choosing mobo!

 

[Bonesdad]

Abit is going to be one of you best OC candidates.

 

[Vette73]

Get the NF7-S and forget about the audigy, save your cash for a better ati video card or something.

I have a NF7-S and love the sound and have heard a audigy, not worth the money.

 

[integ94]

u mean Sound storm sound is better than Audigy even using Analog speaker?
As i mentioned that above i do have SB Live! with old Altec Lansing ACS48 spker with sub.
If that is true, i will go with sound strom feature built in...

 

[Corporate Thug]

soundstorm is better than audigy 1 IMO

NF7-s is the best board IMO

 

[integ94]

 

[integ94]

Thanks for ur inout.
Now i have to think mobo mcp-t built in, start choosing from the bottom.
Help choosing bet Abit nf7-s and Abatron KX18D Pro2

Since i have a case(kingwin 436??) which has 3side window, i would go mobo somthing blue/black to match color and make it look cool. Abit their orange color looks cool 2 but .....

I dont know what to get, this is really pain choosing mobo.....

 

[DAVIDS]

I have an NF7-S. Have had no problems with it. Board color is a consideration, but so is performance and reliability. My NF7-S has been rock solid.

Soundstorm is okay. I haven't had any problems, though some people have complained about bad mic sound. You'll probably get better audio with an Audigy 2. But I'm not particularly fond of Audigy cards because they have so much bloatware.

 

[DahDee]

I have the Albatron board and really like it. Lots of features, including Soundstorm, and has been quite stable. BIOS is easy to use, overclocked my 2500+ to 3200+ on the first attempt. I also have a windowed case (Thermaltake V2000A) and like the color (blue) of the Albatron board w/ my blue LEDs/cathode and blue XFX Ti4200. I picked the Albatron over the Gigabyte GA-7N400Pro2 because I wanted the Soundstorm chip.

Edit: I posted some links in another thread ( http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1155482 ) of KX18D Pro II reviews.

 

[IQJUMPuw]

well the guy said he doesn't need any fancy features... Don't overpay for the the NF7-S... I think it's the best Nforce2 board out there, but it would be a waste of money if you don't plan on using all of those features...

Look into Epox 8RDA+ or Soltek SL-75FRN2-L. Both are very VERY good boards that can overclock past 200FSB easily and only cost around $80.

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: IQJUMPuw
well the guy said he doesn't need any fancy features... Don't overpay for the the NF7-S... I think it's the best Nforce2 board out there, but it would be a waste of money if you don't plan on using all of those features...

Look into Epox 8RDA+ or Soltek SL-75FRN2-L. Both are very VERY good boards that can overclock past 200FSB easily and only cost around $80.

It's tough to find the 8RDA+ anymore...no longer in production, from what I hear. The 8RDA+ is a good board, but its green - not much fun to look at.

 

[IQJUMPuw]

Then get Soltek!

It's yellow. "Golden Flame" edition. Awesome nForce2 board...

 

[NesuD]

another vote for the Soltek SL-75FRN2-L. It's an outstanding overclocking board at a reasonable price and it Looks pretty good to.

 

[Sunny129]

as far as Abit goes, it all depends if you need all the extras. if so, go w/ the NF7-S, although its $120. if you don't need all those goodies, and already have a decent sound card, just get the NF7. anyways, i think the NF7 is the best thing you have on your list of candidates.

 

[BigEdMuustaffa]

Any more folks out there got the Albatron? Reviews show it to be pretty stable and some like it better then Asus or Abit.

 

[mdcrab]

My vote goes for the Soltek SL-75FRN2-L as well. Purchased two. Great board, nice layout, and looks great if you have a window.

mdcrab

 

[integ94]

Thanks all ur input guys!
I just ordered Abit NF7-S for $114, Barton 2500+($90)and Buffalo 512MB PC3200($87 shipped) from Newegg.
They should be here at least Thur/Friday. I found Abit NF7-s better price from e-wiz or Accubyte but i just ordered it from Newegg! cause comes with Free T-shirt and Pen!!!
I hope to get somthing a good stepping for my Barton2500+. I will let u guys know how itl goes....
Cant wait too long!

 

[integ94]

Originally posted by: integ94
Thanks all ur input guys!
I just ordered Abit NF7-S for $114, Barton 2500+($90)and Buffalo 512MB PC3200($87 shipped) from Newegg while i was drunk.
They should be here at least Thur/Friday. I found Abit NF7-s better price from e-wiz or Accubyte but i just ordered it from Newegg! cause comes with Free T-shirt and Pen!!!
I hope to get somthing a good stepping for my Barton2500+. I will let u guys know how itl goes....
Cant wait too long!