mobo suggestions please

[zoobie]

Hi - I'm a newbie at this so bear with me.

I've just done several hours of reading and have learned that Asus is one the best boards. I just bought a barebones with a ECS M848LU board with AMD's XP2600+ Anthlon, 256 pc3200 (maybe 2800..dunno) exisor 400 ram and modem. I didn't know any better but now I do. I can return this board and procesor within the next 10 days or so for a full refund.

My questions are...
1)They need the processor returned on the board to make sure everything works. Should I take off the modem, lan, mouse, sound, and keyboard outlets, too...or just buy the next board with them on it?
2) I'm not a gamer...but would like an onboard video and audio until I can afford an All-in-one agp video capture card. I will use the computer for mostly editing video.
3)What's going to be the best value Asus board and (I guess) processor/chipset for me that fulfills the above requirements? Suggestions?

Thanks so much

[Aaaron]

First of all what is yuor budget

[zoobie]

Well, I'm looking for the best value because I don't have any money, relatively.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by zoobie My questions are... 1)They need the processor returned on the board to make sure everything works. Should I take off the modem, lan, mouse, sound, and keyboard outlets, too...or just buy the next board with them on it?

What do you mean, "take them off"? Do you mean rip the ports off the motherboard? No, don't do that. Send the motherboard and CPU back to the retailer intact.

Originally posted by zoobie 2) I'm not a gamer...but would like an onboard video and audio until I can afford an All-in-one agp video capture card. I will use the computer for mostly editing video. 3)What's going to be the best value Asus board and (I guess) processor/chipset for me that fulfills the above requirements? Suggestions?

There are a few ASUS motherboards that come with on-board video, but these may be micro-ATX motherboards if that's okay with you. The A7N8X-VM comes to mind. If you're on a tight budget, look at the A7N266-VM.

Cricket

[morriswindgate]

Asus KT400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7V8X-X" -RETAIL $57.99

ASUS KM400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7V8X-MX" -RETAIL$58.99 (has onboard video)

Asus nForce2 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7N8X-X" -RETAIL $71.99

All are great boards. I would not get a board with on-board video since you are planning on upgrading anyway. Just buy a cheapie Radeon 7000 or even a Rage base video card for now.

[zoobie]

Well, I think they're going to want to keep the processor, too. Guess I'll need a board/chipset and processor together. There's a used computer fair next weekend here in Denver...

Do you mean rip the ports off the motherboard?

Heh heh...I really didn't know any better. What about the modem? Thanks

[Cricket]

Originally posted by zoobie What about the modem?

Was the modem part of the bare bones kit? If it was, send it back. If it wasn't, you can hang on to it.

Cricket

[zoobie]

Yes it was. I got the case with max-power v2.03 power supply, cd-rw, board, processor, and modem in the barebones. But I see the modem can unplug...

A note about the Asus A7V8X/A7N8X boards: They are not necessarily “tried and tested” boards that are widely accepted. There has been some confusion between those and the A7N8X boards. The A7V8X boards have a VIA chipset, while the A7N8X boards have the nForce2 chipset.

In my case, which would be better?

Also, where's the best place to buy a new board/chipset and processor combo online?

Thanks everyone...good info.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by zoobie Yes it was. I got the case with max-power v2.03 power supply, cd-rw, board, processor, and modem in the barebones. But I see the modem can unplug...

Max-Power power supply? Ugh, that's a poor quality unit...not worth taking a chance on. That's the reason I stay far away from bare bones kits...they usually come with low quality parts.

I think you should send back everything that came with that bare bones kit.

Originally posted by zoobie Also, where's the best place to buy a new board/chipset and processor combo online?

Check out Newegg.com. Just buy all your parts separately and make sure you get good quality parts. Stay away from the bare bones kits unless you know every single component is a good quality one.

Cricket

[zoobie]

Ugh...Sounds like you're right...I'd have to spend around $35 shipping plus a 15% restocking fee perhaps....dunno.
Reading up on all hardware tonight starting with power supplies and cases and perhaps put a full system together on newegg.com...jeez