3500+ 64 and MSI K8N NEO2 need comments

[Marcos]

I can get this combo for under 400$ any cons to this motherboard, ive read reviews and everything seems kosher but Id like some live opinions


(xmastree) :starofdavid: lol

[Superfly]

I am also very interested in this combo - its currently my choosen upgrade path for 2005.

thanks in advance.......

P.S will there be an AGP version of the nForce4 Chipset?? - if so ill wait for that I think.

[saturnotaku]

P.S will there be an AGP version of the nForce4 Chipset?? - if so ill wait for that I think.

Probably not. I've not seen anything to indicate such a product will exist. Give it a couple months once the SLI/PCI-E boards are in the market, but again it's pretty doubtful we'll see any.

If you do buy the Neo2, my one piece of advice is to attach your IDE and SATA cables to the board before installing it in your case. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches. While it's a great performing board overall, I wouldn't buy it again because of its second-rate layout.

[Superfly]

many thanks for your advise Sat - good to hear it from someone with the exact hardware in question.

How long will there be AGP nForce3 MoBo's available for?? - I have to get an AGP board this time around because of the AGP 6800GT im running.

Thanks.

[Riptide]

Some of the Neo2 "dirty laundry"

-SATA 1/2 are not locked. 3/4 are.
-Early BIOS has temp reporting problems
-Onboard RAID controller can hang @ POST, lose the array (requires reset)
-As saturnotaku mentioned the layout is Godawful
-Some users claim AGP/PCI needs to be @ 67 for the lock to work

[Superfly]

OK - some other board suggestions then Pls - must be an NVIDIA chipset - or at least not a VIA chipset and must be AGP.

Thanks.

[Marcos]

-SATA 1/2 are not locked. 3/4 are.

i do not know what that means : )

-Early BIOS has temp reporting problems

Is the new revisions have this problem?

-Onboard RAID controller can hang @ POST, lose the array (requires reset)

i dont raid


-As saturnotaku mentioned the layout is Godawful

that is a problem

-Some users claim AGP/PCI needs to be @ 67 for the lock to work

for overclocking only?




Being that I dont use most of that **** its all good but I wouldn't expect these flaws in a mobo that im paying a buck thirty for ya know.

What else do is recomended then besides MSI neo2, NFORCE ONLY PLZ!!!111

I refuse to use any VIA after the uglyness in the past.

I am trying to just uprade mobo and cpu i dont want to have to get new HD or psu or rams gahhh

[Marcos]

:D hahahah we post the same thing

[Superfly]

here ya go: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=143916

This is a Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra Board - Layout looks much more "Normal" and better than the MSI Board - take a look.

Its also nForce3 - Its just become my new 1st choice for MoBo upgrade in 2005.

[Marcos]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-245&depa=0


whats the advantage of nforce 3 ultra to nforce 3 250??


The Gigbyt looks like it has better audio solution and total package, but totally relies on back panel ****

[Superfly]

dude - thats a Socket 754 MoBo - old and not what your looking for.

stick with the 939 if you plan on upgrading the CPU before having to change the MoBo again.

[Viral]

I've had the same requirements as you for some time. I will be buying early next year and have decided on the Gigabyte K8NS Ultra 939 because of it's better layout. It fits the heatsink I had in mind (Thermalright Xp-120) while the MSI doesn't. Also the MSI is more expensive and I haven't had too much good experience with MSI in the past. Usually the MSI K8N Neo2 produces better overclocking results, but not by enough for me to choose it.

Locally the MSI is $80 more and at a place I have never shopped from before while the K8NS is from a reputable store for a very good price. The choice is easy when I couple this on having my heart set on the XP-120 (nothing else will do! :P)

[OCForums_Osirus]

If your into overclocking and have a highend vid card (6800 or X800) then the Neo2 is the way to go.
The first shipments of the boards, if you bought when they first came out, had more problems, but if you order after xmas or close to it, you will get a good board.
I would wait for the revision 'E' winchester's to come out before you upgrade though, they are said to have SSE3 and be a better chip.

[Marcos]

woops didnt notice that wrong socket *puts the pipe down


When are the new Winchesters coming out/
?

[Superfly]

OK - final decision is made - im going for the Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra Board.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[Elderblaze]

Im very happy with my neo2, i'd buy it again, NO BOARD is perfect, keep this in mind, sure neo2 has a few minor issues noted above, but at least you know them, get some newer board and you don't know what your in for. The issues mentioned are really not that big a deal, especially if you have a case with a removable motherboard tray and lots of space to work, you only setup a computer once and then it's done, I wouldent really dock a mobo based on it's layout myself.

Regards,
Mike

[brady]

make sure you get at least 2 sticks of ram and that they are not some crappy generic kind. i bought one gig (1 stick) and the neo2 wont boot unless i scale it down from 200x2 to 166x2.

[Marcos]

Im going to get the Neo2, I heard some things bad about gigabyte and the MSI is cheaper and doesnt rely on back panel slots i hate that ****

[Viral]

Im going to get the Neo2, I heard some things bad about gigabyte and the MSI is cheaper and doesnt rely on back panel slots i hate that ****

What are, 'back panel slots', exactly.

[OCForums_Osirus]

he might be referring to the backing plate on the back of the board, as the AMD require 80psi or so for heatsink mounting.. I dont remember the exact amount of pressure though.

[Viral]

The Gigabyte has a plastic back plate, and the XP-120 needs a metal one, I know that much. But IIRC the XP-120 comes with a metal one so it's not much of a problem for me.

[Marcos]

im sorry i im talking like um what do you call them here... i/o ports i guess like the extra usb or audio jacks that you plug into the mobo and they take up pci slots on the case :/ im sorry if i sound like i have no idea whats going on :D