A Motherboard Question

[VideoTechMan]

Hey everyone,

Ive been thinking of building another computer system...only thing i would like to find out is....are MB's with most of the intergrated components like the LAN, Video and audio circuits any good? I know most ppl still get a seperate video card for the system, but I wanted to see if an on board video on the MB would be any good for video editing? Ive been looking into some Gigabyte and MSI models...it would probably save on buying alot of extra cards. And, Ive been seeing that some MB have a small slot called an CNR slot, which stands for the Communications Network Riser slot. Does anyone know what this slot is even used for? Any help would be appreciated.

VTM

[mrtristan]

I've never used one with integrated video, so I don't have much to say about those. It shouldn't have much of an impact on video editing, since that's handled mainly by the cpu.

As for onboard sound chips, I've built two systems with onboard audio and no problems. In terms of quality, they're decent, but not as good as a dedicated midrange soundcard. I disabled the onboard audio on my personal machine, because I wasn't satisfied. Technically, there was nothing wrong. The audio quality was just below my preference.

If my guess is correct, the CNR slot is probably similar to the modem riser slot. It's supposed to allow you to connect a device that integrates modem, fax, and other networks into one. Whatever that means.

A lot of the "integrated" LAN boards that I've seen are just a LAN card bundled with the motherboard. Not exactly integrated, but saves you about $20.

[freak_in_cage_10k]

MBs with built in graphics are fine, unless you want to play games (as older cards, or cut down versions such as GeForce4MX) are often used

I have herd that MBs with built in sound are less efficient than external sound cards. they tend to use up far more resources (as the onboard sound has no processor and thereforeuses the CPU). External sound cards have their own processor. So, if you are planning a lot of sound engineering then perhaps buying a sound card would be a better option?? the only exception to this would be if you bought a MB with the NForce 2 Chipset, called "A7N8 Dulux"- this has on board sound and it out performs the latest Sound Blaster Autegy 2!!!

I am not sure about Lan cards

[WeedVender]

If ur going to get intergrated video. Good Luck, you wont be able to run the latest games.

[gmatov]

VideoTechMan,
If you get a good quality all integrated board, you should have no problems. Most of the boards I've bought lately have video, audio, LAN modem on board. True the audio-video are stripped down versions of the shelf item cards. I don't know if this means that they are junk or if we pay way too much for the boxed card.
LAN is built into the board. Your Cat 5 cable will plug in just as your KB, mouse, printer do, the same block of connectors. If it has a CNR, or modem riser, make sure the riser comes with it, as different MOBO mfgs have different wiring for the riser. (So I have read; I have 3 such, and all 3 work, and all 3 got me better throughput than any of my 56K PCI modems did.)
The only thing I would say to definitely do is make sure you have at least 5 PCI slots. As you decide to move up to better video or sound, you do not have to sacrifice something to do it, or not do it at all.
The Asus A7N8 Deluxe is a very good board. It had been going for about 140 bucks, Pricewatch, last I checked.
The best thing about an integrated board is that ALL the drivers come on the disk with the board, you don't constantly misplace them. (Unless, of course you misplace that disk. Why don't you just throw it in the bottom of the case? I do.)

George

[VideoTechMan]

If ur going to get intergrated video. Good Luck, you wont be able to run the latest games.

Thats ok...im not much of a gamer anyway, lol.

VTM

[WeedVender]

There is also a major performance lag in the system when u sue integrated video.