Help with CPU + Mobo combo

[Nodozer]

I am have a little trouble deciding on a motherboard and cpu combo for a computer I am assembling. I would like to spend around 100 for cpu and 100 for the motherboard. An AMD XP Barton 2500+ looks like my best choice for cpu, but I will be only using air cooling at first. I see people overclocking to speeds of 2500 MHz, what can an air cooled 2500+ reach? The only 2 motherboards I see recommended over and over are Epox 8RDA3+ and Abit NF7S2. I am almost leaning towards the NF7S 2. Are there any die hard gamers who love the sound Soundstorm produces? Thanks for the help.

[timbob2469]

I see threads where 8RDA3+ are giving problems, but then again I've been hanging out here @AOA and this is a mostly Epox forum. If I had the need for a new motherboard it would have to be this:
http://www.dealsonic.com/asa7nfsoatxm.html
The xp2500+ is probably the sweet spot right now, although AMD dropped their prices again to counter Intel. Competition is a good thing for endusers.
Bob
Looks like they are backordered.

[Lazgoat]

Have you considered the ABIT NF7-S v2 and the NF7 v2 if you dont need/want S-ATA, Soundstorm and Firewire?

Laz

[danrok]

Originally Posted by Nodozer

... Are there any die hard gamers who love the sound Soundstorm produces? Thanks for the help.

I have disabled the onboard sound on my board. It's not so good for high quality sound in games.

[Nodozer]

Ok. I think I want the NF7-S 2, How simple is it to disable sound? Im going to go with an Audigy 2 OEM.

[danrok]

Originally Posted by Nodozer

Ok. I think I want the NF7-S 2, How simple is it to disable sound? Im going to go with an Audigy 2 OEM.

You can disable onboard sound in the BIOS setup. The option will be called something like AC97 (AC means Audio Codec).

[Nodozer]

Great, thanks. Thought Id post my upcoming system's specs. My 1000$ dollar system. I'm up to about 600 so far.

Case: Kingwin KT424 Black
PSU: Antec Truepower 430w
Mobo: Abit Nf7-S 2.0
CPU: AMD XP Barton 2500+
RAM:
HD: Maxtor Plus9 120GB 7200rpm
CD: Lite On 52x32x52 Black
Floppy: Samsung Black OEM
Video:
Sound: Creative Labs Audigy 2 OEM
Speakers: Logitech Z640
Mouse:
Keyboard: Logitech corded elite

[danrok]

Which video card will you go for?

[Nodozer]

Radeon 9800 NP. Mouse I will probably pick up an optical for 50$ or less from Best Buy.. prices are the same as Newegg and I can feel them all. RAM is buggin me, going to try and find something that will work well with my system for under 150.

[SteveI]

You may want to try the sound out for yourself first... I like the quality, and Abit is the only mfgr I know of that has a dedicated plug for rear sound (others share). If you don't like it, you can always get a card later... If you do like it, you can save a few bucks.