Semi-noob looking for Mobo suggestions please.

[bxmedic]

Ok, here’s the deal. I am a semi-noob. I have built 2 other machines (Asus KM7 and an ECS pos) and have modded 2 Dells (2350 & 4400). I have a decent gaming rig now (Dell XPS) but would really like to build a machine. I plan on collecting the parts for a few months as I am somewhat cheap and always on the hunt for top end components @ mid-range prices. My requirements below.

Socket 939 AMD 64, 64x2 compatible
SLI capable
Somewhat idiot proof overclocking ability
SATA w/ Raid controller
Decent amount of USB headers
Onboard LAN

As I said I am somewhat new to all this, I have been doing a lot of reading about computer building and tweaking but I know that reading about, and doing it are entirely different things. I would just like a good base Mobo that I can learn, build on and expand for at least the next 2 years. I know that’s a lot to ask the way technology is flying these days. From what I have read I like the Asus A8N, DFI LANPARTY and the Abit Fatal1ty AN8 is just plain sexy but may be a little tricky for me. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[pwnage]

Well if you're on the hunt for the best parts, WAIT.

AMD has plans for a socket change this year sometime around august.
This is only if you want the bleeding egde.

The things that I know of that are coming in the changing are. The socket/pin lay out, processors 3GB? maybe, and memory (DDR2 support).

If your OCing Asus has a easy to use OCing panel and so does Abit. Never used DFI, but they seem to get a fairly decent user rating.

Consider water cooling for you rig too. I say this because of the heat generated by the processor when OCing. swiftech and dangerden make some awsome parts.

 

[CPUZ]

I'd also agree on waiting for the new stuff to come out but you can get stuck in a circle where new stuff is always "coming" out soon... :?

The new socket I think is a 940 pin AMD CPU!

If you want a good board I like the MSI range and they do have a lot of options for over clocking.

This is the one I think wil be best:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum, nForce4 SLI, 8CH Audio, Gb LAN, 1394, RAID, 2x PCI-e 16X, 1xPCI-e 1X, 1xPCI-e 4X, 4xDual DDR400, 4xSATA.

ASUS also make good mainboards!

 

[pwnage]

I have an Asus A8N32 SLI. good board but I think ill be upgrading when the 940 comes.