n00b Alert: MoBo selection help appreciated

[Momental]

My schpankin' new A64 3800+ 'Venice' is sitting here next to me wondering onto which MoBo it will be adopted.

I've never built a system before (completely on my own) and therefore, am totally new to the whole experience. SLI isn't required (but I could be talked into it) and it must be a PCI-e compliant board.

I'd like the build and set-up to go as smoothly as possible (who wouldn't?) and am looking for a board that's "n00b-friendly", but has potential in the short term for overclocking, when that time comes. Gotta crawl before you can run, right?

So far, I've been looking at the EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra, the Chaintech VNF4 Ultra, the ABiT Fatal1ty and the MSI Neo4 Platinum. I won't even consider the DFI Ultra-D as it sounds like it's as easy to use as a hairdyer in a bathtub. Again, I want something that I can just plug everything into, hit the 'Power' button and be off and running, but that will be a speedy, OC-able board. Capice? Good.

The money isn't an object as this is the "Once every 3 years" new rig shopping spree.

I plan on getting a gig (2x512) OCZ Plat. Rev. 2's and a 6800GT card (prolly eVGA).

So! Based upon those criteria, what would you recommend?

 

[Promethply]

If you're not into SLI, and are looking at a mobo with good memory compatibility, then the ASUS A8N-E would be a great pick.

 

[imported_Kensai]

MSI.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: Promethply
If you're not into SLI, and are looking at a mobo with good memory compatibility, then the ASUS A8N-E would be a great pick.

I second that. ASUS makes great boards for beginners (but avoid the ASUS A8N-SLi).

MSI = My System Incinerated (just kidding). Lots of people have had problems getting it set up, and you hear reports of boards dying after 3 days or something.

Another good choice is the Gigabyte GA-K8N-Ultra, or the K8NXP-SLi - even if you're not interested in SLi, this board's about $160 and comes with wireless.

-The Pentium Guy

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: Kensai
MSI.

 

[Chode Messiah]

Originally posted by: keeleysam

Originally posted by: Kensai
MSI.

MSI>everything else
MSI=pwnage

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: Promethply
If you're not into SLI, and are looking at a mobo with good memory compatibility, then the ASUS A8N-E would be a great pick.

Good choice. All Asus boards I've used (4 of them, including my current A8N SLI) have been easy to set up and maintain.

If you want to OC, look at the DFI nforce4 boards. They have the best OCing options.

 

[Lossy]

Go with the Asus A8N-SLI if you want SLI. The Deluxe version has more RAID controllers and a debug chip. Those are the only two differences between the regular board and the Deluxe, if I am not mistaken. I built my first system with a A8N-SLI and I haven't had a single problem yet:

FX-53
Zalman CNPS7700-ALCU 120mm
Asus A8N-SLI
2x Leadtek 6800 GT
Silverstone Zeus SST-ST65ZF 650W PSU
PQI 2x512 MB (1 GB) Dual Channel DDR400 PC4400
WD Raptor 74.8 GB 10k RPM
SB Audigy2 ZS
Thermaltake Xaser III
7 case fans (stock 120mm Thermaltake fans)

The one thing that puts the A8N-SLI over all the other SLI boards in my opinion is the space between the two video cards. It's huge. I have a pair of double slot Leadtek 6800 GT's. I know it's not the best 6800 GT, but my point is that the space between the cards seems to be a must, since the new 512 MB 6800 Ultras are also double slot cards. My bet is that the next generation of high end 512 MB cards from Nvidia will be double slot cards because of heating issues. I could be wrong, but better to be safe than sorry. As far as I know, all the other SLI mobos won't be able to fit two 512 MB 6800 Ultras. Correct me if I am wrong.

In summary, go with the ASUS A8N-SLI if you are considering SLI. That's my two cents.

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

Doenst the op want to overclock his baby So why not buy DFI Ultra-D? Best overclocking features.

 

[Waylay00]

But he said he wanted the build to go smoothly as possible. You have better chances of getting an ASUS or MSI board up and running than you do with a DFI board.

 

[Jakebrake]

Don't go SLI unless you already have two video cards, it's a bit of a waste of money. Asus or MSI is the way to go.

 

[arswihart]

" You have better chances of getting an ASUS or MSI board up and running than you do with a DFI board. "

what the hell are you talking about, that is such a load of crap, ASUS and MSI are number 1 and 2 in terms of sales I believe and noobs buy them because they don't know any better. That said ASUS does make high quality stuff (not MSI - poor quality control, some lucky people with working boards praise them all day long, while other people's MSI boards explode on them, literally)

DFI, EPOX, and ABIT are the best IMO, so the 9npa+ ultra is a great choice, EPOX has already released BIOS support for the Athlon X2 dual core processors, and have had the rev. E (venice) support for a long time now as well, meanwhile, if you had an MSI neo4, you just got the Venice support a couple days ago, pitiful