Need advice on Non SLI AM2 board

[BigBuckinChicken]

For those who lack time, but have a reccommendation, please skip the intro and get to my question below..**

Hi everyone, I dont post much, but I do try to read what I can. I know that this place is full of hard core builders that have been through the ringer, and their trials and tribulations are well documented, and if i could just take the time to search I would find what I need. Problem is time, I'm very scarce on time right now so please bear with me.

Im looking to build an Athlon x2 4600 machine, putting a decent 1950 (XT or pro? not sure). The only real motherboard I did any research at all on was the one non SLI mobo that I was aware of Asus M2N-E. I know im taking you back a year in technology, but Im too poor for core duo.

the M2N-E seems like a decent board, but appears to have memory voltage restrictions, either requiring running memory at less than optimal speeds, or buying some really expensive memory.


**so, without further delay, the question: What are some decent Non-SLI am2 motherboards. I can research the list myself, I just need model numbers please.

Thank you all for your assistance, and my deepest apologies if this same question has been asked 100000000000 times, I havent been able to read through stuff, but im trying to catch up when i can.

 

[Thanatos421]

Wait til April 9th and look at building one again. Price cuts coming soon.

 

[apt403]

Why do you need an non-SLI board? You can use an ATI gfx card with an SLI capable mobo.

 

[BigBuckinChicken]

Price cuts are in effect...unless you are saying that Core Duo will be dropping as well...then I might hold off. It is these price cuts spurring me into action, as my last build was an Athlon 1900+ (when 2100+ was the top of the line...I think)...so its been a while. That old beast is still working for me, but it's definately on it's last legs. Fortunately I only play WoW, which doesnt require much horsepower .

 

[BigBuckinChicken]

I dont want the overhead, or to pay for something I wont use. If you are saying that an SLI board is the way to go, then ok, but I like my systems lean ...the more excess stuff, the greater the possibility of stuff going wrong.

In any case please please please Model Numbers I dont want to argue the point of SLI verses non SLI, if theres a great SLI board with a decent pricetag, I'm willing to go that route.

Thanks again everyone. Thanatos, for some reason I associate that name with a bunny...any idea why?

 

[apt403]

The C2Ds will be dropping in price soon as well, April 22nd if I remember correctly.

 

[ajfink]

So awesome of you guys to answer his question.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022

Could also get away with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127007

If you want newer Crossfire support:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130057

/thread

 

[BigBuckinChicken]

Thanks everyone, especially Ajfink, as this is what I really needed. I could hold out longer and see where prices go, or I could get what I want at a price I can afford, and have it now . Its tough.

 

[InteliotInside]

Are you sure that you can't afford a:
Core 2 Duo E4300
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
EVGA GeForce 7600GT

?

Huge overclocking headroom on the processor, one of the toughest motherboards out there and a step-up program on that EVGA card, when you have the money difference between the 7600GT and 8600GTS.

 

[Torment30]

For AMD how about a

ASROCK AM2 AliveXFire-ESATA2 Crossfire, current SB but older 1600 (RD480) NB or maybe a

Biostar AM2 TForce 550 or Biostar AM2 TForce 570U

One thing about the biostars though, I bought one for my intel system and it had only 1 SATA cable!!! Rubbish, ASROCK has about 4

I have to say though an Intel E4300 seems the way to go at the moment

 

[motanu_zapacit]

well if you want ati graphics but you're not interested in a crosshair solution in the future you should go for a nforce 550 or 570 . i would recommend msi k9n series( something like a neo-f).i've built a lot of systems with these mobos and offer good performance
and stability for a medium am2 solution;never had problems with them.try avoiding sli boards if you're going for ati graphics and the platinum and diamond editions ( to expensive IMO ). also if you consider asus m2n-e is a good choice but watch out for m2n with nforce 430 or 500 ... had a lot of problems with them ( and that's about 4 out 10 nf430 boards ) in combination with 3200+ athlon64 . good luck

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130050

 

[chief5286]

Biostar Tforce 550 is a decent board by most accounts. Decent OC capability, though if I'm not mistaken, no printer port.

As for the 4300 being the best solution at the moment, I'm not sure I agree with that. Yea, there's great OC potential, with most people seeming to get to 2.8-3.0 Ghz (that's the average I'd say, it seems those with the 6600 are are the ones getting higher). However, you can build a solid AM2 system based on a 3600+ that will most likely OC to 2.6-2.8 Ghz for around $260 (including 2 gigs of ddr2 800 ram). Intel can't touch that price/performance at the moment. It would cost around $410 for the 4300, DS3 and 2 Gigs of ddr2 800 ram. The equation might change in a couple of weeks, but $150 is a lot to spend for the marginal increase in performance of an OCd 4300 vs a OCd 3600+.


Now, if you were considering an X2 4600+ against the 4300 and you intended to OC, it becomes a tougher question IMHO. Same if you don't intend to OC.

 

[BigBuckinChicken]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. Im really on the fence now as to what to do, I was never dead set on anything, it was just that the x2 4600 seemed to have a really nice price now. I really dont overclock. I'm no expert on the subject, and dont want to risk frying my stuff.

Personally I dislike Intel, but their chips do what I like to do better...especially with Video encoding. If the prices are dropping on them I might build an intel core duo system, and the 4300 Intel chip seems to perform around the same as the AMD 4600 chip I am looking at. I dont have particular brand loyalties, I was just really happy that I could build a dirt cheap system that kicked ass (when I built my Athlon 1900+ system) and cost me about as much as my last intel processor alone (which was a P2 450 when it was top of the line, $799 box kit ). For graphics cards, I like Nvidia, but my last card burning out left a bad taste in my mouth. I have a crappy ATI card (was a spare) that I run now, and have had no problems with it (other than its lack of features and having to keep detail settings rather low). I picked the ATI 1950 XT because it was one of the "best buy" cards listed in Tom's.

Again I just wanted to say thanks, I realize that I need to hold out a bit and see what is what before making any rash decisions...you all have given me some great tips and components to research, thank you all,and have a fantastic day!!