Need new mobo, (EPoX or DFI)

[kemokim]

OK, i have read alot of posts in this and other forums, and i can see that most people say that a DFI nF4 Ultra or a EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra is the way to go.

The price is the same about 150$, although i have to order the EPoX from Sweden (i live in Denmark)..

Im going for a64 3200+ venice
X800XL card
2x512mb pc3200 geil ram


The problem i have, is that they all have active northbridges.. a small fan that runs at 9k rpm or something like it.

So i would like to swap it with a zalman passive if its possible, or a swifteck (sp?) with a better more quiet fan.

But the design of the boards looks like it wont allow for this swap. Because of interference with the GFX card.

Iwe seen somewhere people who break and bend the zalman nb cooler, but is this ok?? and is it easy with these cards to check the temps?


I have seen the Asus A8N-E board (about 100$), and i know that this is in no way as good as the 2 above. however the design alows for a passive nb without interfering with the GFX.

I dont plan on overclocking, but i like my hardware to be a good quality.

Thank you
Kim

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Kemokim on 06/21/05 07:37 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[kemokim]

The ram is actually the ones im using atm..

actually think you and a few others here talked me into buying them, when i overclocked my 2500@3200 (again remember i live in Denmark and many products are not available..)

ok i might get the DFI, if its that good a board.. just really afraid its gonna be so damn loud. (eveything else in my case is quiet)

 

[kemokim]

Well..... all my fans run @ 5v, i have replaced all fans with either papst or Acousti fans. it is pretty important to have a quiet computer if you want to sleep in the same room where it is on 24/7

 

[kemokim]

since i like silence so much, maybe i should take this oportunity to step into the watercooling area.. im guessing that would solve all my problems..