Cheap AMD mobo needed. Have Questions

[mrjetguy]

I am looking to make my first computer and am trying to decide on what mobo to get. I want it to be cheap (under $60) and it has to support AMD Athlon XP, and have integrated sound/lan. As far as memory I would prefer that it supports DDR400 and 333. But at the least it must support DDR333. Also, the more RAM slots the better, but at least 2.

I am looking for your suggestions, I have been thinking about the following two mobos (found at newegg.com) and would also like your opinions on them:)

1. Shuttle Motherboard for AMD processors, Model AK38N KT333 Retail

2. ECS L7S7A2 SiS 746 Chipset ATX Motherboard - RETAIL

Thank you!:bunny:

[GohanSSJ]

I have bad expierence with onboard stuff, both a soundcard and a network card don't cost much.

As for a motherboard, well i haven't bought 1 for along time so i'll better not give you any advice on that. :D

[TGK MCP]

For AMD systems I like to use the MSI KM2M combo-L board. You can pick it up at googlegear.com for $64.00. For the price it's a good MOBO. I have had no problems with it.
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241051

[MRCOMPUTER]

The ECS board works fine. I tried one last week.
There are several boards in their refurb section that will fit your budjet. The ECS, Chaintech and Biostar, all seem to do well with the onboard stuff...:D

[NDC]

I got an ECS K7S5A PRO at Fry's for $49 for my bro-in-law and it seems to be ver stable. He was running a P3 700Mhz and I jiust got the board and stuck standard PC-133 memory in it. This board takes 2 DDR DIMMs or 2 SDRAM DIMMs...

[TGK MCP]

I use an ECS K7S5A for a while with a Duron 1GHz. Until an unfortunate case swapping at my father-in-laws house rendered the board useless. ;-)

[akaBruno]

Shuttle AN35N Ultra 400. I picked up a few for around $60 recently. But, you'll have to shop around because the secret is out now. They have the nForce2 chipset (the only way to go), built in sound and lan. Overclocks quite well too.

You cannot beat it for the price, even if you have to pay a little more. I pulled my Epox 8rda in favor of one. I can't say enough good things about them. Shuttle recently released a single mode memory version of it, that may be cheaper.

[mrjetguy]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Tom's Hardware Guide had an article comparing some mobos and the Shuttle AN35N Ultra 400 did well considering it's price. I'm leaning towards that one :)

[TGK MCP]

That looks like a nice board... I may have to upgrade... =)

[Omardeth]

ya i would say the shuttle is the best bet outta that bunch . the neforce chipset is much better than sis chipset .

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I think either chipset will do you well, but depending on what you mean for CHEAP the Epox 8RGA+ is a nice board loaded with nice things.

GF4MX graphics onboard so you can play games.
Onboard 10/100 nic
onboard 5.1 surround sound.
onboard Firewire and USB2.0 ports

for what it offers, as a system builder it is a great deal since almost no onboard graphics can handle games, From what I know it can go to 200MhzFSB (400ddr) and can also run in dual config so 2x PC2100 will perform as approx PC4200 for bandwidth, nice feature to use older memory assynchronously and not lose bandwidth, but gain it.

Just my thoughts, Nforce boards are a force to be considered even at a slightly higher cost. the features and lack of need to upgrade components to get great sound or other features is worth the $$ IMO. (locked bus speeds and it's ability to ignore the multiplier settings of the chip is just gravy)

[crapyking]

http://store.yahoo.com/justdeals/mikt3ulsoatx.html

[slowEJ6]

shuttle an35n ultra.....picked one up for $63 shipped.

worth every single penny. onboard lan and sound.

[n7vxj]

I can't say enough good about my an35n.I stuck an xp1800 in her, and had her o.c.ed to over 2.3 gig.I backed her off to 2.2 gig till I can get better cooling.If I could afford it, I would have 3 or 4 more for my herd!! In my opinion, you won't go wrong with this board!!!!

[97ssdroptop]

Good god, i know this is my first post but do not and i repeat do not buy anythign from ECS. Total pieces of crap. I have had 3 and all off them failed the same way. Now they guys at frys wont even sell me one lol. They said they were made like kia's, just long enough to get you off of the lot. My buddy had one as well and he just replaced his with an albatron kx600 and its running great, but only time will tell.

Henry

[Omardeth]

man ecs gets craped on alot . if you know what your doing i find them to be very workhorse type boards . nothing fancy they just work . most problems are operator error i have found .

[davidw]

Originally posted by TGK MCP
For AMD systems I like to use the MSI KM2M combo-L board. You can pick it up at googlegear.com for $64.00. For the price it's a good MOBO. I have had no problems with it.
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241051

Here's the new linky...


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241051
The price, $61.69

[davidw]

Originally posted by 97ssdroptop
Good god, i know this is my first post but do not and i repeat do not buy anythign from ECS. Total pieces of crap. I have had 3 and all off them failed the same way. Now they guys at frys wont even sell me one lol. They said they were made like kia's, just long enough to get you off of the lot. My buddy had one as well and he just replaced his with an albatron kx600 and its running great, but only time will tell.

Henry


It's funny you said that. In my computer business, I've used a LOT of ECS boards. I've sold prolly 30 K7S5As and 12 K7S5A PROs. I have only had one messed up on me and that was because of operator error!

:eek:

[Hickman]

I bought Gigabyte Motherboard for AMD Processors MODEL "GA-7S748" RETAIL from Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

It is very stable using a xp2500 and Corsair pc3200. I've yet to have any problems with it.