need help on picking the right mobo

[blacknight31k]

In the first place I am getting ready to build a new system unsure with mobo. Want the best for my price range $100 to $200. Want to go with amd anthlon xp have heard good things about the 1800 , but not sure any help would be great

not picky about onboard sound
thought about gf3 or 4mx vid card. Any sug?

want to start with good rock solid mobo and cpu, the rest i can get as i go

I am interested in oc'ng

My wife has taking over this one so i have permission to build another , but have to keep price down

Thanks For Any Help :t :t :t

[BipolarBill]

EPoX is the current favored brand for AMD setups (the 1800+ is fine, but stretch for the 2000+) here. I would seriously consider the EP-8K5A2. If you want RAID, look at the EP-8K5A2+.

http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard-products.asp?socket=socket%20a&lang=1

Asus and MSI KT333 boards are also excellent. The Asus boards have thermal protection which may save your **** if you should mess up. I really like the A7S333, but it has no USB 2.0. The A7V333 does:

http://usa.asus.com/mb/socketa/a7s333/overview.htm

http://usa.asus.com/mb/socketa/a7v333/overview.htm

[blacknight31k]

Thanks for the info on the boards and i like the epox but what do u think about the ep 8k3a+. i think i will go with the 2000+. the info on the asus with the usb 2.0

again thanks for the advise

ps i like the head bang on your pc

[jmichna]

Several of us here have the 8K3A+ and love it. With latest BIOS update offers support to XP2600+ (and maybe beyond). Unless you have USB2.0 devices, I see no real compelling reason to go with the big brother 8K5A2+... though this rev level does offer onboard NIC too!

Having said that, if I were buying today, I would go with the 8K5A2+ just because it's newer, and I'm pretty sure you get one more PCI slot (compared to the 8K3A+).

Bottom line: both would be outstanding mobos.
jmichna

[deadkenny]

Could also check out the MSI 745 Ultra for OC'ing. For OC'ing the processor, you might want to see if you can get an AGOIA or AROIA stepping of the XP1600. I would tend to favour the GF3Ti over the GF4MX, but price also enters into it. You could also consider the GF4 Ti 4200. I would go for the GF4 Ti 4200 over a 64MB GF3 Ti (the 128MB Ti 200 is price competitive, so there's a trade off there).

[absalom]

I have to agree with Dead Kenny xp 1600+ stepping athlon with cores of AGOGA OR AGOIA gives you more when it comes to overclocking speed but are hard to find but you can try newegg.com :t