Abit AMD 64 mobo

[challenger]

Hello, I am looking to get an Abit AMD 64 mobo. I was wondering if anyone could recommend one for me. It has to be Abit because of a warranty situation. They are allowing me to choose an Abit motherboard of my choice.

Also, since I know nothing of 64bit processors, what chip would you recommend?

I am currently running an XP 3200. What would the performance increase be if I were to take a AMB 64 3200?

Thank you,
Challenger

[pandaz3]

I see it as three choices...

939 pin is the socket of the here and now and future.

There are two choices here....

The Nforce4 board the AN8 which has a good feature set and won't be as limited as any ending in "V" boards (AN8-V for instance) it is the better chipset between the NF4 and VIA 890 chipsets.

The problem is you will need a PCIe Video card....No AGP!

If you want 939 Pin and AGP then you have to get a AV8 (I have one)

Third Choice...

The 754 Pin AGP capable, NForce3 chipset....NF8

754's are Budget CPUs, they work great and a 3200 will overpower an XP3200 by a noticeable margin.


you will spend less on CPU for a 754 and be able to use your old AGP card, this is the most economical option.

NF8 has the lead.

The AV8 is a good board, but a little finicky on PSU's (IF it's a Antec, make sure it's newer than November 04) It will use AGP so it straddles the future and the past.

The AN8 is where it's all heading, but requires the more expensive 939 and a PCIe Video card.

[Rocketmech]

I like the NF3 Ultra with 3500 Winchester , if your happy with AGP . You'll still do well with an AV8 I admit. Otherwise , go NF4 with a 3500 Win. , and find a nice pci-x to go with them.

[fizur2002]

http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&model=262

get that board right there, the money you would have spent on the board, you can use to get a good PCIe card and have the option of going SLi if you wish too. Would love to see a system with 2 nVidia 6800 ultra 512 overclocked by BFG in SLi configuration.

[pandaz3]

That is a good Idea if you are not having to pay some difference the Fatality NF8 does have more features.

[Andrew_Carr]

Just go an8 if you want abit and pci-e. I'd say go with a dfi nf4 board for 140$, but if you're set on abit...
The fatality is virtually the same as the an8, but is about 210$ vs 144$ for the an8. Hmm.. over 200$, and you're not even getting an sli board. It's a waste, unless maybe all the mods on there are the exact ones you want, in which case it might save you time fiddling with led's and tiny fans.

[fizur2002]

Originally posted by challenger
It has to be Abit because of a warranty situation. They are allowing me to choose an Abit motherboard of my choice.


dude, read above, he gets the board of his choice. Getting a free $200 board.

[challenger]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I'll take a look and see what I can get.

Challenger

[Andrew_Carr]

Totally missed that :*(

Ok, get fatality and then e-bay it for something else :)

[zybch]

Yes, you will certainly see a big difference between an XP-3200 and an A64-3200 no matter what mobo you end up using.
As the other guys have said, go for a socket 939 if you want better futureproofing, or a 754 if you are a cheapskate :)
Both types have boards that support either AGP or PCI-x.

[AllGamer]

i'm using the ASUS A8V Deluxe :t (AGP)

there is an PCI-E version, but i don't trust it

too new, all PCI-E are prone to disaster :x

[pandaz3]

OKAY you have to get ABIT

Generally

939 is the best choice

You have

VIA, 939 AGP
VIA, 939 PCIe
NF4, 939 PCIe
NF3, 754 AGP
VIA, 754 AGP

the 754 CPU is cheaper and you might retain your AGP card, You will have a small increase in CPU price for a 939 and have to buy a PCIe card.....The Fatality 939 pin NF4 pin is the better choice I think..... Your wallet though.

[zybch]

I'm using an NF3 with AGP and have had no issues whatsoever, all the NF4s are PCI-x though :(

[AllGamer]

939 = Dual channel memory = faster
754 = Single channel memory = not as fast, not slow either, just rather average speed

939 = more upgrades available
754 = is dying out

939 = AMD 64bit 3800+ and up
754 = AMD 64bit 3800+ and down

yes there are 2 versions of 3800+

:t

[pandaz3]

Originally posted by AllGamer
939 = Dual channel memory = faster
754 = Single channel memory = not as fast, not slow either, just rather average speed

939 = more upgrades available
754 = is dying out

939 = AMD 64bit 3800+ and up
754 = AMD 64bit 3800+ and down

yes there are 2 versions of 3800+

:t

Slight correction now you can get 939 Pin Winchesters 3000+ and up.... You couldn't before

[challenger]

Alright guys, I think I have my mind set on the AV8. I recently bought a radeon 9800 and have it overclocked. I'd hate to have to go get a new card already.

Two more questions though:

1. When looking at newegg I notice two AV8's. One plain AV8 and one AV8 "3rd Eye" with Guru clock. I realize that the guru clock has something to do with overclocking. Other than that is there any difference between them? Also, if you had to choose between those two which would you take?

2. On pricewatch they have a A64 3200 939 pin chip on there. Right below it for the same price is a A64 3200 90nm 939pin. What's the difference between these two?

Once again, thanks for all the help.

Challenger

[pandaz3]

1. I have a AV8 and I bought the "Uguru" clock separately, same board, but different bundle. I bought the clock for $25 from www.excaliberpc.com . I like the clock, you can monitor your voltage, board temps, clock speed, room temp, time, fan speeds and you can select three custom clock settings and Turbo. It's just a gadget, but I like it.

2. I do not know about the first one, as there is not enough information. There are two "Cores" for the 3200+ 939 pin, "Newcastle" which is a 0.13 Fab and "Winchester" which is a 0.090 Fab (Thinner) the Winchester is cooler and more overclockable and more desirable.