need help choosing a mobo for my friend.

[Violineb]

ok finally I get to build another PC but this time for my friend. I'm guessing his budget will probably be between 500-800 probably with a monitor. So I don't have terribly much to work with. I need to set aside enough for at least a Radeon 9600pro or a GF fx 5600 U, which is better BTW? and then I still need to decide on whether to go the 2500+ athlon overclock route or the 2.4c P4 overclock route. I know the P4 stomps the competition but my question is how much can you OC it? I saw on anandtech in the mobo reviews they hit 280mhz FSB, how is that possible with DDR 400?

For AMD I was thinking Asus a7n2 deluxe, Abit NF7 or lastly that epox board, is that any good? I mean the one that everyone says O/Cs the best.

For Intel I also thought along the same lines but there are many many good choices. I figure the only way to fit in the budget is the I865 chipset so......here's what I came up with.

asus p4p800 deluxe or non deluxe, I was wondering whether they really did unlock the PAT proccess and whether it helps that much

abit I don't know which model gives the best price/perform ratio and whether it can match the speed of the asus with the PAT proccess unlocked.

and then there are all the other ones like epox and any other suggestions are welcome.

I'll have more details on budget soon enough.
Thnks again.

[felinusz]

The P4 2.4C's hit around ~3.2-3.3 on the stock air they come with. The mainboard is more expensive though.

The AMD Barton XP route is cheaper, and easier as you don't need as good RAM. DDR 400 needs to be run out of sync or with loose timings to be used with a P4 with a big fat FSB Overclock. DDR 450 or higher however can probably cut it - although it costs a lot more money.

I would get the Radeon Card myself - although I know that you can get something better on eBay - a 9500 perhaps? I am buying a Sapphire 9700 Pro on eBay next week (finally) for a really good price.

I, personally, would go for the Abit NF7-S 2.0 (the best AMD O/Cing board currently), or buy a A7N8X-Deluxe 2.0 like mine and solder a bunch of wires and potentiometers to it so that you have nicer voltage steps (Yes - I soldered a bunch of crap to my motherboard... ) - which will give you a board with great options and features that also O/Cs well - although it is a lot more work and is risky sh|te!

Past that, just get some generic DDR 400 for your AMD setup and run it sync with the processor O/Ced to around 200 x 11 (easy to do with any Barton - stepping doesn't really matter with the 2500's, unlike the DLT3C 1700s and 1800s)- about $60 for a 256 meg module.

Aside from the on-topic stuff, how are you doing Vio? I haven't seen you around here in a long time! Have fun building this system - make it nice for your friend!

[GSDragoon]

I would choose the AMD route consitering your budget. A 2500+ and an NF7 should O'C well. I also recomend a 9600 pro over a 5600 Ultra.

You going to be buying this online? If so are you in the US? I could post some NewEgg links then.

[Violineb]

thanks for the input felinusz.
I know I haven't been around for a bit and I'm quite happy to see ppl actually know that I exist here Well as for what's keeping me so busy.....I have a concert. A big concert. A VERY VERY BIG concert. A VERY VERY VERY.....oh you get the idea. It's Bruch concerto in Gminor, that means I play solo with orchestra. yep yep I did this concerto last november with another orchestra but the thing that freaks me out is I played so well back then....how will I ever match myself? Yet I've gotten so much better since then too well we'll have to wait and see. I'll check back in later on this thread.

btw if you never heard me play you can download an MP3 from here> http://www.intermusearts.org/music/

bruch1me is the piece I'm playing, that's the first two parts out of three.

[Chinoz]

I'd go P4 2.4C and a P4P800 or an IC7 (the price dropped drastically)
And hey, aTi d00d

[felinusz]

Cool - I'll d/load that when I get home! Good luck with it - just don't make eye contact with anyone in the audience!!

[Violineb]

ok I'm having some problems picking parts to get the system into the 600-800 dollar price range.

for AMD system I was thinking 2500+, abit nf7, and a ati 9600pro, 17inch viewsonic....

for intel the same but a 2.4ghz P4c, and a asus p4p800.

only problem is I'm still ending up with a 1000 PC. damn!

i'd apppreciate it if someone could put together a suggestion. thanks

[Chinoz]

This is what I got for a little past us$800
P4 2.4C
Abit IC7
2x256 Kingston HyperX ddr400
80gb seagate sata150
128mb hercules 9600pro
17" Samsung Syncmaster 765dfx
SB Audigy