Budget AMD mobo (socket A)

[Spitfire_x86]

My friend needs one for a budget system. Which one is a better choice?

Chaintech 7NJL3 (nForce2 400) $60
ASRock K7S8XE+ (SiS 748) $54

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[Coyote]

I chose the Shuttle an35n-ultra for $55 when I built a budget system last month. Seems ok so far.

Well, that's prolly no help in answering your original question- I just gave you a third choice!

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

 

[o1die]

I would download the manuals off the websites and check warranties before buying either one. If the chaintech board has any adjustments for voltage, I would go with that one over asrock.

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Overclocking, voltage adjustment isn't important. All he needs a decent mobo to run everything at stock speed for a long time.

Both boards have 1 year warranty.

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<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>

 

[Nights_L]

Just grab the chipest nForce2 based mobo should be fine no?

 

[Mr5oh]

Yet another choice, but I have had no complaints from this one either:

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-130-419&DEPA=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-130-419&DEPA=1</A>

Plus it's a nForce board, and supports the 400 mhz FSB, onboard LAN, etc. Not bad for the price. ($60)

My Desktop: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html</A>
Overclocking Results: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html</A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

I don't live in USA, and I really don't have other choices. In my country I cann't find many decent AMD mobo. The other good choices are ABIT NF7 v2.0 and ASUS A7N8X-X. But both cost ~$80-$85, beyond his budget.

I posted this here, because I have no experience with Chaintech or ASRock. I think I'll tell him to grab the nForce2 board, unless it's particularly bad

------------
<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A>

<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>

 

[ChipDeath]

I would also say get the nforce2 one. I'm not sure about AsRock's quality, but have heard a few recommendations for chaintech in the past... Plus IMO if you're not after overclocking features, you can't really go wrong with <i>any</i> nforce2 mobo.

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Epox 8RDA+ V1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @200x10 (~2Ghz), 1.4 Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL/1x512Mb Corsair XMS PC4000 2.5-3-3-7
Sapphire 9800Pro @412/740

 

[Nights_L]

I wonder how good is the nForce2 mobo made by ECS..anyone had experience?

I haven't hear anything bad about AsRock yet..

 

[Cybercraig]

For a $69.00 board, the Chaintech VNF3-250 has been pretty good! Great over-clocking and voltage options in BIOS. Running neph's A64-3000 @ 2.18ghz.

Abit IS7 - 2.8C @ 3.4 - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!