New mobo selection help please....

NHT

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
211
Currently I have mediocre Abit Vt7 that is giving me problems to run my P4 socket 478 system but it only runs AGP. I really want to upgrade to a bigger and better mobo to improve performance that can also be compatible with future coming graphics cards as the "bad boys" of cards now are only using PCI-express.

CAn someone please give me a recommendation of a good mobo that will fit my needs. I really dont need SLI because Ive read that one 7800gtx is plenty of beef for games. Thanks and look forward to hearing your suggestions.

Abit Vt7 Mobo
3.4 Ghz Pentium 4
BFG 6800 Ultra
1 Gb Kingston PC3200
100 Gb Western Digital
160 Gb Maxtor
On Board Audio
500 Watts PSU
Windows Xp Professional
 
can someone knowledgeable please help me out? I really need to get one very soon but I need the help first. thanks
 
I'd check out the review sites like hardocp.com, anandtech.com, pcper.com, etc and find something you like (features, price, etc). Then start doing searches in forums for it to see what peoples experiences with it are. However, if you're planning on staying with Intel and keeping some of your components then you need to determine what you want to take with you. If you want to keep your ram then you will more that likely be looking at a board based on the Intel 915 chipset. If you want to keep your processor (3.4 socket 478 right?) then I don't think you can make the switch to PCI-Express board. I may not be correct but I don't think there's a PCI-Express board that supports a socket 478 processor. If it was me and I was starting over (as far as RAM, Processor, Mobo, and Video go) then I would look at this board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131539

some reviews:
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2602
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?id=379
http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cpu_mobo/asus/intel/lga775/p5ld2/

and this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116237

As far as video goes I don't know that I would go for the 7800 GTX since in most cases (with the 512 MB version being the exception) a 7800 GT will overclock fairly easily to GTX speeds. If you've got to have the 512 MB of RAM then I would look at the ATI Radeon 1900XT and save yourself the $ for something that performs basically the same as the 512 MB 7800 GTX. I'm not an ATI or Nvidia "fan boy" (I'm currently using a 7800 GT) just a big fan of the most bang for my buck :) Hope this helps!
 
Hey thank you so much for taking the time to research this for me. Ive also been told that there is no such thing as a pci express sockey 478 but now I know that it is quite the rarity. Out of all the boards you suggested, which one is the best one? I think one of the Asus board is only available in the UK am I not correct?

What about more prestigious and popular mobo manufacturers like MSI or Gigabyte? do you know if they have what Im looking for? i think the idea of getting a whole new processor and board is out of the question as I just got this new processor less than a year ago. So if you can help me find a mobo for my needs I will forever be in your debt


BTW PSTANG....the links you sent me for the Albatron boards do not work. Can you resend them. thanks
 
Damn man, id have to thank the 2 guys who looks like they actually did alot of work for you to help you out. Thats alot of links lol.
 
guys I still need your help on the mobo. Any other recommendations? I know its hard to find but someone out there must know of a good one.
 
NHT said:
Hey thank you so much for taking the time to research this for me. Ive also been told that there is no such thing as a pci express sockey 478 but now I know that it is quite the rarity. Out of all the boards you suggested, which one is the best one? I think one of the Asus board is only available in the UK am I not correct?

BTW PSTANG....the links you sent me for the Albatron boards do not work. Can you resend them. thanks

NHT said:
guys I still need your help on the mobo. Any other recommendations? I know its hard to find but someone out there must know of a good one.

I fixed my links, i must have copied them wrong

as for which is the best one i am not sure... i havent seen any reviews and dont know anyone personally that uses them

i didnt realize that the asus from mainboard-city was from the UK, they ship to the US, but im sure it'll get expensive... i would contact ZZF and see if they will get any more of their ausu ones in

i dont know where to get the albatron's from i borrowed the links from another thread, but the best place to look is ebay and the FS/FT forums

the only other suggestion i would have is to keep the board and take a look at the 7800GS AGP that just came out... it looks like it will be a great performer and it'll add a little life to those still using AGP
 
chris.putertech said:
there are boards made by ASUS and ASRock that are based on the 915 chipset for socket 478 here are two: http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...egory=44943&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST

That ASUS motherboard is cool b/c you could also use a Pentium M in it with the CT-479 adapter. Asus is my favorite brand so if I could have found one of these 2 months ago I would have gotten one. But they are so hard to get, so I got the Albatron verson to hold me over until 975 chipset was released.

The Asrock board sucks, it only has like a PCIe 4x slot. Its not a true 16x slot, I believe b/c they use some of the lanes for a bridged AGP slot. <not recommended>

Albatron makes a good one, that I'm selling in the FS: forum. <pimp my sale>
 
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