New motherboard

[overmind7]

I want to upgrade my PC. I have had a lot of different compatibilty problems with my current PC and do not want to repeat it. So I am asking you guys for help.

I decided on the Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 939)

I want to know which MSI motherboard I should buy? NVidia / VIA chipset, which is best? I would prefer a PCI-Express capable motherboard.

I read on the Net that a lot of people complain about memory problems. That 2 512MB chips dont work well with AMD 64 etc. I dont care about timings. All I want is a stable compatible system. I am currently looking at Kingston DDR400 512MB. Will it work?

As you will probably notice I am on a budget and would rather want a stable system than performance.

 

[Rugger]

What's your budget? What all components do wyou want to buy? What's your current system? What do you use the computer to do? What type of compatibility problems?

I want to know which MSI motherboard I should buy?

None - I don't recommend MSI boards. I've had too many issues with lack of quality in mfring.

NVidia / VIA chipset, which is best?

nVidia has the best s939 chipsets. nForce4, 4X, or Ultra chipsets are what you want to look for. I would go with something like:
1. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-152&depa=1" target="_new">DFI Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D</A>
2. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-236&depa=1" target="_new">Epox Ep-9NPA+ Ultra</A>

For a smaller budget you could use:
1. <A HREF="http:// www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152049" target="_new">Chaintech VNF4 Ultra</A>
2. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-230&depa=1" target="_new">Epox 9NDA3J</A>

I'd be interested in a link to the articles stating that A64 has trouble running 2X512MB. I would agree that the Winchester core A64 will downclock when using more than 4 banks of memory (that usually means more than 2 double-sided memory modules), but I haven't heard anything about issues with 2X512MB. System instability could be low quality RAM, insufficient PSU or any number of other issues...

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[chuck232]

He did say he prefers a PCI-e no? I'd go with the DFI Ultra-D.

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