Need advice on mobo, please

nork · 10-19-2002, 04:02 PM

I am not an overclocker. I am looking for a mobo having the best features and best stability for the lowest price, without making any sacrifices in quality, and without considering any overclocking abilities. It can be intel or amd, long as you point out any potential problems that may need to be addressed. For example, amd is generally know to require better fannage for their cpus as they run hotter, also usually need a higher watt power supply than their intel counterpart. If I am wrong about anything here please let me know.

Far as I know that leaves out pc chips as they are generally known to be inferior and that may leave out Asus as well because they do have quality but their price is high and Asus may not hit that sweet spot of combination of stability and features along with a low price.
I do word processing, play games that are not all that intense, extensive web searching and browsing, cd burning and like to have good audio.
So which make and model hits that sweet spot for the type of things I do with a computer? If you like, you can throw in your opinion of best cpu to get as well, especially considering that the mobo and cpu must work hand in hand.

I thank you in advance, with this info I am bound to make a good choice for my new computer!!

thanks

JiminElkGrove · 10-20-2002, 04:13 PM

Good reviews go to www.tomshardware.com Good boards that I have seen on this and other forums: Soyo Black Dragon, Epox, Gigabyte GA-7VRX/GA-7VRXP (I have this one and like.) and also some like MSI, some do not. The competition is fierce so the quality has improved from the remaining board makers. Also try www.viaarena.com and look at specific board catagories. Lots of good info there. Jim

John Prophet · 10-20-2002, 04:25 PM

maybe you could give a little more info about the intended usage of the computer.

Is it going to be a gaming machine?

A machine for a business?

A DVD TiVo type machine.

Or a basic internet browser-CD-Burner type machine?

That will help narrow the search and then these guys in this forum can probably give you links and everything to the best deals.

JP

cowboybooter · 10-20-2002, 04:40 PM

Gigabyte boards are pretty sound all round, price / quality etc.

CBB

upinya · 10-20-2002, 05:01 PM

I've used this board ECS K7S5A SiS® 735 SOCKET A MOTHERBOARD for two builds now, (Both with SD pc133 Ram) And IMO it's a great board for the price. One machine is my work pc(Duron 1.1ghz), and the other is my son's puter(AMD 1600+). And he's gamin' on it just fine. UT2K,MOH, etc.. Hope this helps.

nork · 10-20-2002, 08:43 PM

You are absolutely right, I dont know why I forgot to mention what I do with my computer, this has a direct bearing on the best quality/price sweet spot!!

I have added that in to my original post.

Thanks for the replies I have seen so far.

VERT · 10-21-2002, 03:50 AM

ABIT Motherboards have always been known for there stability and performance

nork · 10-21-2002, 09:37 AM

Honestly, I would really like to get more input here as I know there are people with a lot more experience here than I have.
I did mention that pc chips are too poor and Asus are too expensive, but that leaves a lot in between.

I have heard from supporters of Abit, Soyo, Epox, Gigabyte, and been directed to a few great links.

There must be a few more people with experience at this, given the parameters I have mentioned. If you are overclocker or a very intense gamer, then the choices could be different.
I am a heavy word processor, heavy internet, very light gamer, who doesnt overclock, who uses the internet a lot and burns quite a few cd's. Also I like my audio. But my audio needs are basically taken care of with great speakers.

Any more people have something to say here?

nork · 10-21-2002, 09:48 AM

To Upinya:

ECS is pc chips if I am not mistaken. I am glad that your mobos are working out for you and indeed I have a pc chips mobo which is doing fine. I also have a friend who has had no probs with theirs as well.

But they are poor in the support area so I am staying away from pc chips this time. I just feel I can do better at the same price level.

And if I am wrong, and ECS is not pc chips, then I have egg on my face! Not the first time!

RustyGT · 10-21-2002, 10:23 AM

Nork, The folk here at TIMO tend to have a fairly balanced view over the technology they use and abuse.

If you are looking for some hardcore mobo opinions.
Try: The Motherboard

Seems to be a fairly sane forum, but with a fixation on mobos. [?]

ChrsR.

Remember: Caveat Emptor.