Need Help choosing a mobo

[RRocket]

Please provide me your input and reasoning.

I want to build a new system.

Have so far: Antec case with 430W Power supply, W.D. 80 Gig, 7200 RPM w/8mb cache, TDK Velocd 52x24x48x CD burner. Cable connection, Toshiba PCX 1100 thru a Linksys router.

I want to use a P4, 2.53 or 2.66 processor
I also will be using a Nvidia based card.

System will be used for some mild gaming. Mainly America's Army and M.O.H.A.A.
I take alot of digital photo's and play with Photoshop Elements now, a couple of other photo editing progs. I also do a bit with Publisher, Frontpage 2002, Office. I also surf quite a bit using I.E. 6.0

So as you can see, it does not need to be an intense gamer setup, but I want something that has some upgrade capabilities. I would like onboard raid to add a twin 80 gig drive, usb 2.0, serial ata capability, agp 4x or 8x video, do not need dvd capabilities, do not do any video editing, I will use XP home, 512 mb ram minimum on one chip to start. Gasp now, but I do not plan to overclock this setup, just want stable, reliable work machine.

I am not looking for the cheapest setup, nor do I need to buy todays cutting edge, but would like something at the upper level of boards. Any responses appriciated.

 

[dmhinz]

I have a Gigabyte 8SQ800 which uses the SIS655 chipset and I like it a lot. The only chipsets to offer dual channel DDR support right now are SIS655 and Intel E7205. SIS655 is much cheaper than E7205 and offers the same (if not better IMO) performance. The new Canterwood chipsets by Intel are supposed to be released next month (4/14/2003) so you might want to wait a little bit before buying a new board. The only advantage to Canterwood over SIS655 and E7205 will be 800MHz bus capability. No word yet how much a Canterwood board will cost or how they perform.

My advise to you would be that since you might want RAID (SQ800 doesn't have it) buy the MSI 655Max for ~ $125 from Newegg - I don't think you will be dissapointed and since you are only looking for a 2.53/2.66 cpu 800 MHz probably isn't worth waiting for.

By the way, I do a lot of DV, digital photo editing and haven't had a problem w/ the SIS655 board.

-D

 

[RRocket]

Thanks for the info, I will look into that board.

Anyone, anyone, Bueller ....

 

[RRocket]

Bumpage, need some input please

 

[LouPoir]

I second that Gigabyte 8SQ800 - SIS655. Dual channel DDR adds a real kick to the system.

Lou

 

[dmhinz]

That's for sure - I'm getting about 3,700 MB/s in dual channel mode compared to 3,200 MB/s in single channel mode. This is w/ dual Corsair XMS 3200LL modules @ 148 MHz. 100% stable making my P4 2.8 run @ 3.1 GHz => very fast.

-D

 

[RRocket]

Thanks for all the help, so far. One more question. after reading many posts here, should I skip the P4 and go with the Asus A7N8X Deluxe mobo ? If so, where is the price break on AMD processors. You know, the difference between affordable & the very lastest greatest.

 

[dmhinz]

I have had both the SIS655 and NForce2 boards - both platforms are very good. Personally, I found the P4 to be a bit more stable and responsive. Just my opinion.

As far as the "sweet spot" for AMD, 2100 is supposed to overclock very well and costs about $100 retail.

-D