Buying a new motherboard, need some opinions!

satchriani wrote on 6/10/2003, 12:03 PM

Right now I'm running a P4 1.7 with 512ddr on an ASUS P4B266. It's ok, but it's getting dated. I've used ASUS since the beginning, but I know there's better for less nowadays. So, what is a good choice to go with? I'm going to upgrade the processor to a 2.4B or C, with the 800fsb. With that in mind, someone steer me in the right direction!

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 6/10/2003, 12:20 PM

a p4 1.7 behind the times?? I have a p3 667! :) I have read reviews on the p4-800mhz bus vs the AMD XP 400mhz bus. The reviewer used a p4-3.0ghz (800mhz bus) and an AMD 3200 (400mhz bus). They were pretty much neck and neck with all the bench marks, but the P4 did better in some 3d game render speeds (10-15 fps. Speeds were in the 200+fps). The thing that really shocked the reviewer was that the AMD-XP 3200 is actuatly around 2.4ghz, so he was amazed it kept up withthe p4. The review also said that the AMD didn't handle as many big tasks multitasking as the p4 did. You might even want to hold off a month and see how prices go when the AMD Opetron chips lower prices some more. But I wouldn't wait too long.

Chanimal wrote on 6/10/2003, 5:32 PM

I haven't purchased a "store" computer since '84 and always build my systems from the motherboard up. Hence, I always do a lot of homework prior to my system buildup.

Regarding the AMD vs. Intel for video debate, contrary to "TheHappyFriar," the P4 is significantly faster with video rendering--with the MainConcept mpec codec. See Tom's Hardware comparison at http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030513/athlon_xp-16.html

This review (as others I have seen) shows that the P4 scores 200 versus the AMD 3200+ at 231 for video encoding (one of "our" most critical benchmarks). Living in Austin, TX (AMD land), I root for AMD and all my friend's jobs, and have used AMD for the last 3 years with my last 4 systems--however, Intel is currently the better processor for similar declared speed for video related work.

As such, I would typically go with an Abit or Asus motherboard--having had good sucess with them. However, I would personally also consider the Soyo Dragon series. I have used them 4 times on the AMD side and would also for the P4 side...but mainly because I use all 4 of the IDE's to run separate devices (most other motherboard's won't allow you to use the RAID as a normal IDE like Soyo Dragon's). I also add a separate IDE promise card (4 hard drives, DVD burner and CD burner--all on separate IDE cables as master).

I also use every other feature on the board (all 4 of the built-in usb 2.0 ports, the network, the front usb/compact flash adapter, etc., etc. (all except the built-in sound (sounds good, but uses a few too many cpu cycles)--so I get my money's worth and need fewer add-in cards. I have also found the Soyo Dragon series to be very stable (and they have won multiple editor's choice awards--including best motherboard of the year).

I hope this helps.

BillyBoy wrote on 6/10/2003, 6:06 PM

I always tell anyone visiting Tom's Harware site to take what they read not with a pinch of salt, rather a cup full... at least. For starters the "review" (Tom's typical highly biased opinions with little of any fact thrown in) starts off saying you can't really compare apples and oranges, then he proceeds to do exactly that.

The video test was conducted with the retail version of the MC encoder, not the one that comes with Vegas. So keep that in mind as well.

True for now Intel has a faster chip. But it IS apples and oranges. It is easy to misread the fine print. The Intel chip has a clock frequency of 3 GB, while the AMD may be named 3200+ it is a SLOWER chip with a clock speed of 2.2GB if Tom's chart is accurate. Indeed... comparing apples to oranges. In fact if you do the math and caculate a percentage of time to render verses clock speed the AMD is doing very well considering it runs at a much slower clock.

Timhockey wrote on 6/10/2003, 6:58 PM

Buy the new 800mhz frontside bus Intel chiped boards, You can slap a bargain priced 2.4 P4 in it, and later buy a P4 3.00 - I did not think of this- see the May issue of Maximum PC - aside from gamers obsession with graphics cards- a great info source.

bdunn wrote on 6/10/2003, 7:41 PM

Built a new box in march. MSI mb, P4 2.4 w/533 FSB, 512M DDR, 300W Mid Tower for about $400. Upgraded from a P4 1.6 and have seen a definite decrease in render times,
just spit balling but I'd say roughly cut the times by 1/4. Couldn't justify the expense of the P4 3.0 chip.

MDVid wrote on 6/10/2003, 7:59 PM

Everyone has their favorites. I use a SuperMicro P4DC6+ with dual Xeon's. Works like a charm. I can capture, and render at the same time. Multiple instances of Vegas can be open while encoding with Procoder, etc...

JTH

simojo wrote on 6/10/2003, 10:49 PM

Based on a recommendation from Earl Foote, I went with Intel mobo. Got a D845PESVL (only 533 FSB), 2.4B, 512 PC2700 RAM, 80GB WD Cav HDD, Win XP Pro. Works great, not a single problem, FWIW. YMMV.

Jay_Mitchell wrote on 6/10/2003, 11:23 PM

Take a look at the AOpen AX4C Max. Especially, if you are planning on going P4, 3.0 GHz with 800 MHz FSB.

It supports 1394 on the board, Serial ATA Raid and alot more. Under $200 online.

--Jay Mitchell

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoCalVegasUsers/

Southern California Vegas Users Group

jldpc wrote on 6/11/2003, 1:38 AM

I suggest you try the new ABIT IC7-G Max II (Intel P4-875P) with the new 800mhz bus P4 3.0. I have it conservatively overclocked at 210.6 = 842.4 (per CPU-Z). I also recommend RAM from GEIL, at least PC3500. I have experimented with aggressive RAM clocking but the Matrox G550 (dual screen) is sensitive even in VGA mode at DOS bios bootup. So why push it?

All in all, they are a real pleasure. No problems with stability. For example, open dialogue boxes literally jump off the screen when closed.

I also sprang for a new GELWIN 5 fan case with a 480w Thermaltalke power supply. Even with 3 SCSI 160 drives and 2 IDE drives, it runs very cool, and relatively quiet.

One of these days I'll get around to benchmarking it. I ran a jscript (multiple rendering output) on a small avi+mpg project, and it was very quick and very stable.

More than one review from the obvious hardware opinion sites is high on the ABIT. Quality board, quality box and accessories, including native round ide cables.

Good luck!