Mobo Upgrade

XtraNtnse · January 17th, 2004, 04:27 PM

Well I've found out today that my current mobo will run my processor, but only at the speed that it allows or was made for.(obsolete piece of shit) As of now everything's running fine, but the processor isn't being used to its full potential. So now I have to buy a motherboard that will support the
XP3200+ Barton 400FSB. Is there not alot of 3200 mobo's or am I just not looking hard enough? cause I want to get the best money can buy for it, and I'm just not getting alot of results. I'm currently looking at this one: http://www.directron.com/k7n2delta.html It says it supports 600MHz up to Athlon XP 3000+ processor or higher. And another one that's more expensive but I know for sure will support my processor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=C460-1020 Would any of these suffice or does anyone know of any better ones?

**Rally99** · January 17th, 2004, 06:30 PM

My only question is do you have the budget for it and do you need it right now? I mean you have the processor and your computer works but but does it need to run that fast? If you wait prices could come down and all manner of things could happen and is a couple hundred megahertz really gonna make that 3d game run any faster? I mean no malcontent to you at all just kinda wondering. Most of us would love an unlimited computer budget just once.

**stealthspy** · January 18th, 2004, 05:13 PM

Ok - Tell me

Your Budget
Your current system specs (if you are upgrading other stuff, give me both)
Your main usage of the computer
Level of technical expertise (or what you are willing to learn)

That said, this is most likely what you're looking for.

**g-smooth2k** · January 18th, 2004, 08:46 PM

If you are in the market for one get one from
New Egg
Zip Zoom Fly
Monarch Computer
MSI KT6 Delta-LSR
other brands to consider:
Abit
Asus
Epox
Gigabyte
MSI
Soyo

Hope this helps a little. ;-)

XtraNtnse · January 19th, 2004, 05:09 AM

-I'm willing to spend below $200 for a mobo
My specs as of now (but a work in progress ;)
Windows XP Home Edition
XP3200+ Barton 400FSB
ATI Radeon 9000
1 gig ram (two 512's both 2100's)
36 GB HD

As for main uses, a little bit of everything I guess..movies,internet,music,games
That would sum it up. Although I may not really need the upgrades that I am getting, I'd just like to have them anyway, as I have a tendency to want to make things better than they already are.. a habit I'm sure many have ;)

I'm pretty savvy when it comes to computers, but wouldn't consider myself an expert. I know XP and how to install parts, just may need some tips along the way..(as I am doing here) :-)

Another factor is a mobo that will be compatible with the 2100 RAM sticks I have now, that way I won't have to buy new ones..but will also probably limit my choices.

**smokenjoe** · February 4th, 2004, 08:14 AM

That MSI looks like a good deal. Kind of tempting :) I dont need a new computer but it sure would be nice.

**fujow** · February 4th, 2004, 09:03 AM

Try looking here, good prices and an assortment of boards.
http://www.computernyc.com/mouse.html

**babarfloyd** · February 4th, 2004, 09:37 AM

As long as you stick to the nForce2 chipset you should be fine. You should be able to find a stripped down NF2 MB for under $100. Stripped down = 1 NIC instead of 2, no SoundStream audio, no SATA. You should be able to find a high end one with all the bells and whistles for less than $150.

**stuperfied** · February 18th, 2004, 09:40 PM

Man, how ever did this place get so boring? I was gone for like 10 weeks or so and the place is shot to hell.

And im still not a moderator...Thats it...hehe...hehehe...hahahahahhaha :shoot

**Psilaxs** · February 18th, 2004, 09:51 PM

Get the Epox 8rda3+ with the Nforce 2 chipset, i just snagged one from new egg for 85 bucks. Awesome motherboard, plus it supports blazingly fast 3200 DDR Ram.

My cousin is running this board (hence my reason for getting it, I have actually used it) He has his Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked on this thing to 3200+ status, runs just fine, no stability problems unless he sets his ram timing too low E.G 2 2 2 6. But that is only because he is running overclocked 2100 ddr, anyway way too much technical info i just spewed out. Just get that board, you will be 100% happy.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1

**stuperfied** · February 18th, 2004, 10:01 PM

Anyone know of a new board for the Athlon 64 FX with nothing onboard? eg: no sound, no video, no lan, no modem, no any of the rest of that sh!t. I still want hdd controlers on it and basic stuff like usb support but I want to buy my own seperate sound, video, lan, etc and the only ones ive found so far are those 2 made by epox and asus but they both have sound onboard.

**CompuGeek** · February 18th, 2004, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by XtraNtnse

Another factor is a mobo that will be compatible with the 2100 RAM sticks I have now, that way I won't have to buy new ones..but will also probably limit my choices.

You are wasting your time unless you buy PC3200 DDR RAM to go with the new mobo. If you don't run your memory and FSB in sync, there's no point in buying a new board.

**begoodbebad** · February 19th, 2004, 01:48 AM

CompuGeek is exactly right...but let's assume you want to upgrade anyway...there is no need to spend $200 on motherboard. How about a new motherboard that supports your Athlon 3200, DDR400, has 5 PCI slots, AGPx8, USB 2, LAN and 6 channel Audio onboard? It will also run nicely with the memory you currently own and work fine with your graphics card. All you need to add (maybe) is Firewire. And how about if this motherboard is so cheap you can afford to upgrade to PC3200 DDR memory? The board runs the latest SiS 748 chipset and. In UK it costs £25 (aprox $40 US) and is the most amazing bargain, I assume you can get it for a similar price where you are. It is the PC Chips M848A, here is the manufacturer's link
PC Chips M848A

and if you want to see some reviews HERE is the link to ebuyer, a major UK online retailer.

The only way this chipset lags behind the nForce 2 Ultra is that it doesn't support Dual Channel memory, but it is still an extremely fast chip and in performance terms there is practically no difference.

**stuperfied** · February 19th, 2004, 02:41 AM

Isnt it better to have your lan and sound offboard? Reduces the chance of conflicts and saves on MB resources doesnt it? Also if you have it onboard and buy a seperate one anyway then you are doubling up and once again wasting resourses.

**stuperfied** · February 19th, 2004, 02:56 AM

Get the Epox 8rda3+ with the Nforce 2 chipset, i just snagged one from new egg for 85 bucks. Awesome motherboard, plus it supports blazingly fast 3200 DDR Ram.

My cousin is running this board (hence my reason for getting it, I have actually used it) He has his Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked on this thing to 3200+ status, runs just fine, no stability problems unless he sets his ram timing too low E.G 2 2 2 6. But that is only because he is running overclocked 2100 ddr, anyway way too much technical info i just spewed out. Just get that board, you will be 100% happy.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...y=BROWSE&depa=1

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Last edited by Psilaxs on February 19th, 2004 at 03:55 PM.
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New Egg sells Epox motherboards? I thought egg was a mb manufacturer.....