Motherboard Selection for P4

[Frylock]

I need a cheap (under $175 or so), stable, reliable, dependable 875P (or similar chipset) motherboard for a 2.8C P4 processor. I've looked at MSI's Neo series, but I've been hearing horror stories about the BIOS. I've also looked at some ABIT boards but there are problems with their chipset coolers. Any help you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[atoner]

Let me put in my two cents regarding the MSI Neo series for P4 -- the BIOS does suck, and it's way too easy to get into a situation where you need to flash update but can't boot into DOS to do so. To say that their box copy is misleading is to put it nicely.

-A-

 

[acron1]

I am not an expert but I just built my first non AMD system in 3 years using a P4 2.8C and the Asus P4C800-E deluxe MB. Not only did everything go smoothly during the install but it also overclocked to 3.15Ghz using the bios menu(10%,20% etc.) on the retail heatsink/fan @29C idle 45C full load with no efford.
Just my 2c
Steve.

Beam me up Scotty.

 

[Cybercraig]

The BIOS problems exist for the 875P NeoFis2R, but not for the 865PE version. My 875 Neo is fine running stock so far, but I haven't finished with it yet. Everyone that has the 865PE version seems happy with it. I passed up an ABIT IS7 for $60.00, but I have a chance to do it again and am leaning that way. Everyone here seems to like that board best for the P4's. Unless you have to have all the Neo bells and whistles, I would play safe with the IS7.
"Twinkle twinkle Northbridge lights,
This 875P really bites!"

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[Cybercraig]

I forgot, if you need a lot of features, I think the IC7-MAX3 is the best of the "super" INTEL boards. I haven't heard of any cooling issues with the OTES system.


"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[arkus]

Use an Abit IS7-G myself, and it's been great. I've not heard much bad about the IC7's (I could be wrong but think Crashman had one at some point), if you're specifically after an 875P chipset as opposed to 865PE (IS7).

Definitely worth a look at <A HREF="http://www2.abit.com.tw/page/en/motherboard/motherboard.php?pFUN_KEY=1000&pTITLE_IMG=/motherboard/images/title.gif" target="_new">Abit</A>

<A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=2765&st=0#entry21597" target="_new">My Rigs</A>

 

[Frylock]

What are the differences between the 875P and 865PE chipsets?

PS... Here's that MSI board I'm looking at:

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-447&depa=1
" target="_new">MSI i865PE</A>

I have a MSI board (KT3 Ultra2 "MS-6380E") right now in my current AMD system (Athlon XP 2000+) and it's been great to me.


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Frylock on 04/14/04 07:11 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[ChipDeath]

As I understand it:

i875 can support ECC RAM, has intel's PAT (Performance Accelleration Technology) which supposedly helps performance.

i865 is lacking those two features, but seeing as:
a)ECC RAM is expensive, and of no real use for home users anyway.
b)many mobo manufacturers have found sneaky ways of implementing PAT on their 865-based mobos. due to the licencing issues they have to call it something else, but it's basically the same thing.
I would say there is no reason for a home user to buy an i875 Board over an i865 board, given the extra cash could be better spent elsewhere.

I've not got any experience with i865 or i875 boards myself, but I've seen countless recommendations for the Abit IS7 in these forums, and I can't recall a single complaint about it - certainly if I was buying a P4 system now that would be my motherboard choice.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744

 

[Frylock]

Thank you for the information, I'm definetely considering the IS7 now.

 

[jammydodger]

Go for the IS7 everyone here loves it, Im using the AI7(slightly newer version of the IS7) and its great. Dont bother paying the extra money for an 875 motherboard unless you really need ECC.

P4c 2.6@3.25
512Mb PC4000
2x120Gb 7200.7 in RAID0
Waterchill KT12-L30
Abit AI7
Ge-Force4 Ti4200

 

[arkus]

Even if you *do* want all the bells and whistles it doesn't necessarily mean you have to choose an MSI NEO.

Abit IS7-G has sata, RAID, gb lan etc etc, though I couldn't tell you how much $ difference you'd be looking at (as I'm in the UK and £ prices differ a lot).

<A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=2765&st=0#entry21597" target="_new">My Rigs</A>

 

[Cybercraig]

The Max3 is ABIT's "bells & whistles" champ. The difference is about $40.00 US.

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[blah]

$-- own_lee and only -- ""..under $175... stable, reliable, dependable 875P""

--is--

EP-4PCA3+

$



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