Need mobo suggestion for older rig

[Biznatcho]

I can't take the skipping audio anymore (which I think is linked to the VIA chipset), so I'm looking to swap out the mobo on my system, which is used mainly for recording music (ironically) and business apps. I haven't kept up with the hardware, so I'm hoping you guys can point me in the right direction for a solid mobo with no audio issues and a decent price. Here are my current specs:

AMD Athlon T-bird 1.4 GHz
Epox 8K7A+
512 MB of Crucial PC2100
ATI LE/7200 (ATI Radeon)
WD WD800JB 80GB 7200
IBM Deskstar 60GXP 40.0 GB 7200 RPMS (scratch disk)
Samsung 900NF
Toshiba 8x DVD
Plextor PlexWriter 16/10/40A
M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard
XP Pro

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cerb]

Abit NF7, $73 @Newegg.
And get a free T-shirt while you're at it .
I don't know if the VIA chipset is entirely to blame, but I wouldn't trust it with newer hardware like that soundcard.
Note: if you don't want to reinstall XP, follow these instructions:
1. Go to device manager, and then to IDE/ATA controllers. Change the IDe controller driver (update driver, show list, show all) to 'Standard dual channel IDE controller'. Tell it no when prompted to restart.
2. Shut down, do NOT restart.
3. Install hardware in new mobo, start up again. it should boot fine. Hurry up and install the NVidia chipset drivers. Then all should be well.

Good luck!

 

[Biznatcho]

Thanks for the suggestion, Cerb, that Abit looks pretty nice. Are those onboard graphics gonna outperform my ATI card?

Would I be better off just doing a transplant into one of those Dell PE 400sc deals (ooooooo, near silent fans)?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Biznatcho
Thanks for the suggestion, Cerb, that Abit looks pretty nice. Are those onboard graphics gonna outperform my ATI card?

Would I be better off just doing a transplant into one of those Dell PE 400sc deals (ooooooo, near silent fans)?

NF-7 isn't onboard graphics..

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: Biznatcho
Thanks for the suggestion, Cerb, that Abit looks pretty nice. Are those onboard graphics gonna outperform my ATI card?

Would I be better off just doing a transplant into one of those Dell PE 400sc deals (ooooooo, near silent fans)?

No onboard graphics, and even if it did...I don't know for sure, but I'd say it would be close between a Radeon 7000 and GF4 MX crippled by shared RAM. Really, you'd be better off with a Radeon 9100 for $50-$60 than any onboard.

I can't answer that for the Dells...if it's worht the extra $ to you.