Motherboard Recommendations?

[VideoTechMan]

Just a quick question, I have been thinking about building another computer system, one that has a bit more strength than the one I am currently using. With prices dropping all the time now is a good time to get the jump on things. I have been looking into the Asus and MSI motherboards; and the new ones with the 800FSB seems like a good deal at some of the prices I looked at. I know to avoid the VIA chipsets since they are conflict causers for video work. I would like some input on what would make a rock solid MB with strong performance. It will take time to buy all the components, but since i have alot of the parts already I wont need to buy much. Thanks.

VTM

[Ducatti20]

Are you going with AMD or Intel chipset?
With you reference to 800 MHZ FSB I'm assuming you will go with Intel. You might want to wait, both chip makers release their new chips in (~) september. AMD's 64 bit chip has already been demo tested, and looks to be on track for release this year.

[Solarjetman]

AMD's 64 bit chip has already been demo tested, and looks to be on track for release this year.

If you are considering buying a new computer now, do not wait in order to buy a 64-bit CPU. Remember, in order to use it in 64-bit mode, you need software that runs in 64 bit mode. Can you name any program that currently does that? Not any that cost under $1000 that's for sure. Plus, Windows XP only runs in 32 bit. So you would have to wait until Microsoft releases its 64 bit version, or use an alternate OS.

Long story short, if you buy a 64 bit CPU, 99 times out of a 100 it will be running in 32 bit mode anyway (I would guess for at least one or two years after their release), and since that is not its native mode, it is highly likely you would not receive the same performance from a similar costing 32 bit CPU.

So, don't let the 64 bit CPUs on the horizon effect your decision.

[rallynavvie]

True, I'd give 64-bit a year before jumping into it. However the benchmarks for the Opteron on Linux and MS Server 2003 in 32-bit applications was pretty darn fast. That being said the 64-bit processors, at least the Opterons, are out and do have support. The chip AMD is coming out with this fall isn't a 64-bit, it's their new core architecture for massively increased bus speeds. And then I heard rumors of a P5 at the same time, yet again a 32-bit chip. Those are what I would wait for. The 64-bit ones are really only going to have native 64-bit apps for running servers first, I'd wager.

For me I've always loved dual CPUs. If you go that route I'd suggest a Tyan board, they've worked well for me all the time. Perhaps with the latest CPUs there isn't as much of a need for dual CPUs, but I don't think they can multi-task as well as the duals that are out there now. Not sure if you need that option or not, but I find it pretty handy.

Don't skimp on the system board though. Get one with onboard GB ethernet, maybe Serial ATA (or SCSI), and perhaps USB 2.0 and FireWire. Pretty soon boards will be out with PCI-X, the next gen of PCI interfaces. That may be worth waiting for. Supposedly it will allow PCI video cards faster access than even 8x AGP. I've only seen the G5s with this option so far.

[mrtristan]

I've had nothing but good experiences with Asus boards. I've built three computers with Asus boards and not one has had a motherboard related problem. Two are based on the Sis745 chipset and this one is based on the 760MPX chipset.

I plan on using Asus again, when I build a computer for work.

I put an Abit board based on the VIA KT133 chipset and it gave me a ton of headaches. The board was fast, but that chipset in particular has problems with ATI and Soundblaster cards, both of which I have.

Anyway, all of my experience comes from working with AMD machines, but you seem interested in Intel. If you're not biased either way, Asus makes a board called the A7N8X Deluxe. It's a little pricey, but it comes with onboard LAN, audio that rivals the Soundblaster Audigy, Firewire, and Serial ATA. It also features dual channel RAM, which boosts your RAM performance, when running two identical sticks together.

[VideoTechMan]

Anyway, all of my experience comes from working with AMD machines, but you seem interested in Intel. If you're not biased either way, Asus makes a board called the A7N8X Deluxe. It's a little pricey, but it comes with onboard LAN, audio that rivals the Soundblaster Audigy, Firewire, and Serial ATA. It also features dual channel RAM, which boosts your RAM performance, when running two identical sticks together.

Im not really biased with Intel or AMD....i was just always used to working with Intel, long before AMD came onto the scene. But since both are very good and able processors, i just might look into an AMD system. And since the processor speeds are pretty speedy, there wouldnt be a need for dual processor systems unless you were doing server-type stuff.

VTM

[Ducatti20]

The chip AMD is coming out with this fall isn't a 64-bit, it's their new core architecture for massively increased bus speeds. And then I heard rumors of a P5 at the same time, yet again a 32-bit chip. Those are what I would wait for. The 64-bit ones are really only going to have native 64-bit apps for running servers first, I'd wager.

Have to differ... Toms Hardware guide interviewed Henri Richard (WW sales and field marketing for the three business units of AMD: Computing Products Group (CPG), Flash Memory Group (MG) and Personal Connectivity Solutions (PCS). ) on the 28th of June. Here is a quote from the interview.. HR - I believe that we will see an improvement in the overall PC market due to the refresh cycle in the commercial business. In the consumer space, I believe there strong interest in our upcoming AMD Athlon 64 product scheduled to be launched in September. Many gamers don't want to buy 32-bit only technology when the AMD Athlon 64 processor is coming in the next few months at a reasonable premium. They understand that 64-bit computing is the next big thing. .

[mrtristan]

Isn't AMD working on a desktop 64bit, as well as the Opterons that are already out? I believe the desktop 64bit cpu is code named sledgehammer, and the Opteron was code named clawhammer.

They have the release information posted somewhere on their website, but I don't care enough to dig up the information.