I have done some googling and am not coming up with a solid answer because it is a opinion type question.

I am going to bild another comp. I will be putting a amd xp 3200 in it. I aquired the processor at a steal and couldent pass it up ($60) and yes it works. So i need a mainboard for it. I would prefer one with the nforce series of chipsets, but i will try a dif. kind if you all seem to recomend differently.

Features i want.
-on board audio
-agp 8x
-usb 2.0 (front and rear)
-eathernet port
-fire wire (optional, i have nothing that uses it, but still nice to have)
-I dont need a raid controller, but if it has one, it wont hurt.
-minimum of 3 pci slots

I am thinking around $75, if its less or more thats ok, im sure I can come up with another couple dollars

I will also be putting the ThermalRight SI-97 - Socket A Heatsink on it, so it needs to be able to fit that.

so what would you all recomend from your experience.

Shuttle an35n ultra will be under that price, and the Ait NF7-s will be a better board (more features) at $5-10 more then your budget but well worth it.

the an35n ultra is what im curently using just wandering what else yall would recomend. I just want to get yalls opinions before i buy somen.

Most of the opinions that you are going to get here will more than likely be the Abit NF7-S v. 2.0.

Good, solid, and stable board for the money.

Rob

yeh, the NF7-S V2.0 is your usual stream for your Athlon XP range. For some kick but FSB tho it has to be the EpoxEP-8RDA6+ Pro. Tekx has one clocked to somthing like 530 FSB.

NF-7S Is the best bet.

The DFI LP (Or Infinity) are capable of hitting 520FSB with a bios update and good memory, but are more expensive than ABIT (430-450FSB stock)

Nev-
I have never heard of that EPOX board hitting those kinds of numbers, last I heard Tek had a NF-7 also.

the EpoxEP-8RDA6+ Pro looks awsome but just a little pricy. I wont be hitting fsb that high. im putting in a order for the ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL from new egg.com

Wise choice.

If you don't plan to overclock and want an awesome board I reccomend the Asus A7N8X Deluxe if you can find one. I also hear good things about the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe. They are some of the best XP boards out there and have the NForce2 chipset.

i also went to buy the si-97 from newegg. They where sold out so i found a low price at jab-tech. What do you all think of them? I figured id post here instead of making a new thread. newegg wants 39 where as jab tech is 34.

I had two orders from jab-tech and everything was great. Service, support, and prices are top notch.

Quote: Originally Posted by nev_payne yeh, the NF7-S V2.0 is your usual stream for your Athlon XP range. For some kick but FSB tho it has to be the EpoxEP-8RDA6+ Pro. Tekx has one clocked to somthing like 530 FSB.

I had my 2100+ in an 8RDA3+ @ 12x225, my 530FSB O/C was on a NF7-S and unlocked barton.
BTW, The 8RDA6+ Pro isn't worth the money.

I recommend the Asu....just kidding, what do you think I am, insane? Abit NF7-S v2.0...

Jake, Jab-Tech is great, you should be able to get the SI-97 for about $42 shipped, but don't
forget Artic Silver 5 and a decent 92MM fan such as the ones used in my review of the SI-97.

Quote: I recommened the Asu....just kidding, what do you think I am, insane? Abit NF7-S v2.0...

I am guessing that you were startiing out with Asus, and if I am right then why would someone be insane to buy an Asus board ?

Quote: Originally Posted by Matlok I am guessing that you were startiing out with Asus, and if I am right then why would someone be insane to buy an Asus board ?

You'd be insane to buy an Asus board, unless you are looking for both a personal insult & instability.

ASUS = U ASS

i orderd it from them and i found 2 used tornados for $8 at a comp shop. He had some customers ask him to put them in their comps, then complained about noise. people dont joke when they say it is LOUD!!!! So I baught a fan controller.

I have to agree with evreyone. The NF7-S r 2 is a very good board and the gold standard for sub-64 socket A systems.



J