Motherboards

Mark Hensler's picture

He has: 4,048 posts

Joined: Aug 2000

I'm in need of a new motherboard. I currently have a Compaq computer and the motherboard is funky. It doesn't let me have duel video cards. It wants the PCI to be primary, when I want the AGP to be primary (I tried with 4 different PCI cards). It also doesn't like my video capture card, which I got working on my cousins machine, (so I know the card works). And recently it spit out my DVD ROM. For some reason, it just decided to stop working. I've gotten the DVD ROM to work in my bro's machine, so again, it's gotta be the motherboard and not the hardware I'm adding.

I thought I'd try to solve my headaches by buying a new motherboard and case. I've been advised to not buy Shuttle boards, and I'd like to avoid ASUS because of what their doing to the gaming industry (read here).

What brands do you recommend? Any specific models?

Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.

Mark Hensler's picture

He has: 4,048 posts

Joined: Aug 2000

Is there somewhere were I can read reviews and such?

I've been to some venders websites, but it's a pain to have to flip back and forth between all those sites to compare products. And doing that, I can't really compare performance, just features.

Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

I really like the Epox boards myself. Abit is also a good board. It depends somewhat on whether or not you plan to overclock. It also depends on which processor you are using. Asus is good but I had so many problems with one of their boards that I wouldn't use another.

Here is a case that I really like a lot. Make sure to upgrade the power supply to 300W.
Here is the Epox motherboard that I like. It has 4 dimm slots on it too.

For motherboard reviews, check out Anandtech, Tom's Hardware, Overclockers.com and bxboards.com.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

Mark Hensler's picture

He has: 4,048 posts

Joined: Aug 2000

I probably should have menioned hardware that I need the motherboard to support. Sorry.

I have a Slot 1 P3 700MHz, 512MB PC133 RAM, AGP video, 2 USB devices.
I want 5+ PCI slots. And I don't care about ISA slots.

I saw a neet article in one of my cousins magazines about painting cases. Looks really kuel. I wanna try that. Wink

Thanks for the links Mairving!

Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Must of been Maximum PC magazine. It's pretty cool if you have the time. Check out the current issue. There is a picture of one that a guy did with a Ford logo on it. The logo was on a clear plexiglass panel that was cut out of the side. Inside the case he had installed a neon lite. Pretty cool.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

As far as your other question about the board to use. You may consider the Abit. I haven't built any boards using Intel chips in a little bit but I will ask around.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

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