If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Which of these mboards is most future proof?
In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've
decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering: 1) Brand ASRock Model AM2NF6G-VSTA CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100-405 Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin Memory Standard DDR2 800 PCI Express x16 1 x PCI Express Graphics slot PCI Express x1 1 PCI Slots 2 Other Slots 1 x HDMR slot PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices SATA 3Gb/s 2 SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Yes Onboard Video Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888 Audio Channels 8 Channels LAN Chipset Realtek 8201CL PHY Max LAN Speed 10/100Mbps PS/2 2 LPT 1 Video Ports D-Sub USB 4 x USB 2.0 Audio Ports 6 Ports 2) ECS Model RS485M-M (V1.0) Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge ATI Radeon XPRESS 300, South Bridge ATI SB460 Memory: Slots 2x 240pin DDR2, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual Channel Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2 Storage Devices: PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 4, SATA RAID RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon X300-based 2D/3D 3) # Biostar NF61SM-AM2-SE # CPU Support: Supports Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64, Sempron Processor; # Supports AMD HyperTransport, Cool 'n' Quiet Technology # Chipset: nVidia MCP61S (GeForce 6100 & nForce 405) # Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity 2GB # Slots: 1x PCI-Express x16 slot; 1x PCI-Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots # IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 Channel; 2x SATA2 ports, support RAID 0, 1 # Audio: Realtek ALC861VD 6-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC # Video: nVidia GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller share upto 256MB memory # LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet controller # Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack # Power Connector: 1x 24pin main power, 1x 4pin CPU power # Form Factor: Micro ATX, 8.2 x 9.6 inch / 20.8 x 24.4 cm Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels Onboard LAN: Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, VGA 1, USB 4x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3 Ports Onboard USB 4x USB 2.0 Form Factor Micro ATX Dimensions 9.6" x 9.6" 4) Asus M2N-MX # CPU: Socket AM2 support Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Sempron processor; AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology; FSB 2000/1600 MT/s # Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce6100 & nForce 430 MCP # Memory: 4x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered, Upto 4GB # Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 1x PCI Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots # IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 channel; 4x SATA2 ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and JBOD # Audio: ADI AD1986A High Definition Audio 5.1channel CODEC # Video: Integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller (max. resolutions 1920 x 1440) # LAN: NVIDIA MCP61P built-in Gigabit Ethernet Controller # Ports: 10x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 6 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial port; 1x Parallel port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack # Form Factor: Micro-ATX, 9.6 x 8.8 inch / 24.5 x 22.2 cm 5) MSI K9MM-V Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge VIA K8M800, South Bridge VIA VT8237R Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual, Channel Expansion Slots: AGP Slots 1 x AGP 4X / 8X, PCI Express x16 None, PCI Slots 3 Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 2, SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Chipset: S3 Graphics Unichrome Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3 Ports Onboard USB 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports 6) Gigabyte M61VME-S2 Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100 / nForce 400 Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 8GB Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2 Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 3Gb/s 2, SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video: Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC883, 8 Channels Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports: D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0, Audio Ports: 3 Ports Onboard USB: 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports Form Factor Micro ATX Dimensions 9.6" x 8.9" So, I've got 6 motherboards that are all in the $55 to $65 range, and seem to be very similar. I'm looking primarily for: A) future CPU support B) BIOS updates & web support (downloads & updates easily available) C) stability I'm not interested in overclocking or anything - I just want a motherboard that is rock solid, and won't be outdated soon due to lack of support. Thanks! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Which of these mboards is most future proof?
"OhioGuy" wrote in message ... In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering: (snip) How to put this gently? It doesn't matter which board is most future-proof. Motherboards start out cheap and get cheaper over time. Theoretically, you could spend $65 on a AM2 board today. Two years from now, you will find a much better board with the same socket for $40 or less. If you are looking to upgrade your CPU, the cost of the motherboard will be trivial compared to the cost of the CPU. In the unlikely event your current board can't support your new CPU of the same socket design (even with a BIOS flash), you won't lose much sleep tossing the old motherboard in the garbage or even selling it on ebay. PLUS, it's likely that by the time you're ready to upgrade your CPU, you will want a different socket CPU anyway. (AM2 will be such ancient technology by then!!!) So ignoring future CPU support, the best of the boards you listed based on the other criteria you listed is the Biostar board. You want stability, and support, right? Biostar. -Dave |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Which of these mboards is most future proof?
"OhioGuy" wrote:
I just want a motherboard that is rock solid, and won't be outdated soon due to lack of support. I wouldn't worry about a future proof mainboard. My CPU, video card, and hard drive, each cost more than my mainboard. The socket type is important. Good luck. Thanks! |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Which of these mboards is most future proof?
"OhioGuy" wrote in message ... In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering: Doesn't matter. By the time your new system is considered outdated, you'll likely need a new mobo to take advantage of a new cpu. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Which of these mboards is most future proof?
On Feb 22, 12:20 pm, "OhioGuy" wrote:
In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering: 1) Brand ASRock Model AM2NF6G-VSTA CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100-405 Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin Memory Standard DDR2 800 PCI Express x16 1 x PCI Express Graphics slot PCI Express x1 1 PCI Slots 2 Other Slots 1 x HDMR slot PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices SATA 3Gb/s 2 SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Yes Onboard Video Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888 Audio Channels 8 Channels LAN Chipset Realtek 8201CL PHY Max LAN Speed 10/100Mbps PS/2 2 LPT 1 Video Ports D-Sub USB 4 x USB 2.0 Audio Ports 6 Ports 2) ECS Model RS485M-M (V1.0) Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge ATI Radeon XPRESS 300, South Bridge ATI SB460 Memory: Slots 2x 240pin DDR2, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual Channel Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2 Storage Devices: PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 4, SATA RAID RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon X300-based 2D/3D 3) # Biostar NF61SM-AM2-SE # CPU Support: Supports Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64, Sempron Processor; # Supports AMD HyperTransport, Cool 'n' Quiet Technology # Chipset: nVidia MCP61S (GeForce 6100 & nForce 405) # Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity 2GB # Slots: 1x PCI-Express x16 slot; 1x PCI-Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots # IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 Channel; 2x SATA2 ports, support RAID 0, 1 # Audio: Realtek ALC861VD 6-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC # Video: nVidia GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller share upto 256MB memory # LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet controller # Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack # Power Connector: 1x 24pin main power, 1x 4pin CPU power # Form Factor: Micro ATX, 8.2 x 9.6 inch / 20.8 x 24.4 cm Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels Onboard LAN: Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, VGA 1, USB 4x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3 Ports Onboard USB 4x USB 2.0 Form Factor Micro ATX Dimensions 9.6" x 9.6" 4) Asus M2N-MX # CPU: Socket AM2 support Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Sempron processor; AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology; FSB 2000/1600 MT/s # Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce6100 & nForce 430 MCP # Memory: 4x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered, Upto 4GB # Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 1x PCI Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots # IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 channel; 4x SATA2 ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and JBOD # Audio: ADI AD1986A High Definition Audio 5.1channel CODEC # Video: Integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller (max. resolutions 1920 x 1440) # LAN: NVIDIA MCP61P built-in Gigabit Ethernet Controller # Ports: 10x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 6 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial port; 1x Parallel port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack # Form Factor: Micro-ATX, 9.6 x 8.8 inch / 24.5 x 22.2 cm 5) MSI K9MM-V Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge VIA K8M800, South Bridge VIA VT8237R Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual, Channel Expansion Slots: AGP Slots 1 x AGP 4X / 8X, PCI Express x16 None, PCI Slots 3 Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 2, SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video Chipset: S3 Graphics Unichrome Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3 Ports Onboard USB 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports 6) Gigabyte M61VME-S2 Product Specifications: CPU Socket Type Socket AM2 CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s) Chipsets: North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100 / nForce 400 Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 8GB Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2 Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 3Gb/s 2, SATA RAID 0/1 Onboard Video: Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC883, 8 Channels Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports: D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2..0, Audio Ports: 3 Ports Onboard USB: 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports Form Factor Micro ATX Dimensions 9.6" x 8.9" So, I've got 6 motherboards that are all in the $55 to $65 range, and seem to be very similar. I'm looking primarily for: A) future CPU support B) BIOS updates & web support (downloads & updates easily available) C) stability I'm not interested in overclocking or anything - I just want a motherboard that is rock solid, and won't be outdated soon due to lack of support. Thanks! The answer is that none of the above are future proof. I'd go with 4) Asus M2N-MX because Asus usually does you right. They include everything you need (cables and such) and are usualy pretty good at keeping their drivers up to date. However, you are looking mostly at nforce 400 series boards, when the 600 series is out, so you are a few generation behind the tech curve. Budget models are rarely future proof. The good news is that all of the issues with nForce 4 stuff should be already sorted out, so you won't get the bleeding edge type problems either. Dean G. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Baby-Proof Case | [email protected] | Homebuilt PC's | 5 | June 19th 06 07:12 PM |
TDK Scratch Proof DVDs | zjustice | Cdr | 0 | September 21st 05 08:27 PM |
Proof that people on ebay are stupid | anthony | Nvidia Videocards | 12 | December 26th 04 07:09 PM |
More proof that Intel sucks | Godzilla Pimp | Overclocking AMD Processors | 53 | March 9th 04 02:20 PM |
More proof that Intel sucks | Godzilla Pimp | Homebuilt PC's | 35 | February 29th 04 11:28 PM |