Quest for a Decent Motherboard

[StormFx]

Greetings!

I've spent the last two weeks researching everything I could find on every 500 series AM2 motherboard available but it seems like every time I find a "good" one, it's either out of stock, discontinued or has enough negative reviews to turn anyone off. I just want something from the 500 series that's high quality, dependable and under $150. It doesn't need to have SLI, but it's not a problem if it does. I'll gladly pay a little extra for dual lan, etc. Here's what I'm putting together, for reference:

Athlon 64 X2 5000 Black Edition (OC'd to 3ghz)
Geforce 8800GT
2x1GB Corsair XMS2
(Powered by an Antec Earth Watts 500w PSU)

Now, I've researched a TON of boards using various methods, primarily this chart:

http://motherboards.org/ranking/motherboards/amdam22006/

I originally planned on getting the ASUS M2N-E, but after reading several posts at nForcer's HQ, I quickly rescinded that notion. In fact, those posts and the reviews of most of the ASUS boards in that range have really got me skittish about the ASUS 500 series product line altogether >.<

I've heard some wonderful things about DFI, but the only boards I could find is:

http://www.directron.com/nf570m2g.html

The SLI version of that board doesn't have dual lan, so that throws that idea out the window. I can't find the 590 versions anywhere and they're most likely too pricey anyhow.

It's about the same with the Abit, Foxconn and Epox boards. They're extremely hard to find and the only one that even looks promising is the Epox 570 Ultra (which I can't find anywhere).

That leaves MSI (my current comp has a K7N2G-L in it, still running strong-ish), Gigabyte and Biostar. The Biostar boards have tons of features for really good prices, but the quality is questionable per most of the reviews I've read. Gigabyte is read is a strong provider, but only the 590SLI has dual lan. I can't find many of the MSI boards. :/

If anyone has experience with a particular board/brand that point in the general direction of a board I can trust, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Storm

 

[g-paw]

There is certainly nothing wrong with reading users' reviews but you take to read very critically. ASUS and Gigabyte make really good mobo. DFI, ABIT, and MSI make good boards. At least on this board the majority would probably go with ASUS or Gigabyte, I like ASUS usually have more features I want for the money, I recently bought a Gigabyte for a granddaughter's computer we built and been working like a champ, were talking a 14 year old. Because of how complex they are and every thing they're expected to do, you sometimes run into problems. Over the years I've sent ASUS and MSI mobos back but the majority have been fine, no problems. I'd be shocked if any mobo on newegg has more than 4 stars. Decide on what features you want and how much you're willing to spend and a board or 2 from any of the above companies. Read tech reviews. Then get the one you think is best for you Biostar is ASUS low end line so stick with ASUS