new non-VIA board

B

bim2k

Guest
Hi Guys,

I've been set a challenge- to build a PC for about 200 quid.

Most things are easy, but it all hinges on the mobo.

Now those of you would know that I wouldn't recommend a VIA-based mobo to anyone but my worst enemy, so it would really hurt to have to put one of them into this PC.

DDR or PC133, it does not matter, they cost the same. The PC is gonna be used for word-processing and internet ONLY, and what with Durons selling for less than 30 quid, I'm itching to line AMD's pocket some more :D

So, this mobo has to have:

Integrated Video
Integrated Sound
Integrated LAN

Oh for a nForce220-based board.. but alas, not to be.

So, can you guys help me out?
Oh, and the final thing, I've gotta get this board for less than 65 quid all in.


***Bet THIS one leaves you like me ?( ?( ?( ***


TIA,
BIM2k
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
bim:

Check out the Asus A7N266-VM it's a Micro ATX 220 board. Here are the key specs:

NVIDIA nForce 220-D: NVIDIA IGP-64 north bridge and NVIDIA MCP-D south bridge
200/266MHz front side bus
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce2 graphics core
Realtek® ALC650 audio module
2 DIMMs up to 1.0GB of PC2100/1600
3 PCI slots, and 1 AGP 4X slot
MicroATX form factor

Looks like it fits the bill if you can deal with Micro ATX. Plus you get the 'D' version of the MCP -not too shabby. Not sure what it is selling for though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
HI Paazel,

Thanks for the heads-up about this one, I'd love to use of these- problem is it'll cost me 82.25 to get one (it's the cheapest nForce around in the UK, but not by much-the MSI full ATX one is for 90 quid)

However, it's still well over budget :(

And yes, you made a good point that I forgot to mention: I don't care if it's mATX since it's so fully loaded for it's intended application :))

I don't mind going for SIS or <cough> ATI </Cough> boards, but the price is critical.

Cheers!
BIM2k
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
1. Abit NV7m µ-atx
nforce 420 (IGP 128)
MCP-D (Dolby Digital) per S/PDIF
onboard Realtek 8201L LAN (10/100 Mbit)
expensive about ?120-150 (means ca. $110)

2. MSI MS6367 µ-atx
nforce 420 (IGP 128)
MCP-D (Dolby Digital) per S/PDIF and with optional
CNR card you will get 5.1 analog sound
TV-Out with MSI MS-6952 card
onboard LAN (10/100 Mbit)
about ?100-120 (means ca. $90-100)
maybe hard to get

3. Asus A7N266-VM

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I can't believe that you have to pay 82 pounds for a mATX board!!! The same board goes for $90 at newegg. VAT is a [***CENSORED***] ;(
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hi,

You hit the nail on the Head :(

The Abit one is far too expensive still; nearly twice what I want to pay.

The MSI one is not for retail so I can't get it :(

and the Asus one is the only left of the nForce boards.

If only I could get them at Euro prices rather than Sterling, that would help :))

BIM2k
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
bim2k,

Right now there is only one board in the pricerange you are looking at that I know of. The Abit NV7m. The price in the U.S.A. is under $90 and it is has all the features you are looking for and more in a mATX form factor.

If you could spend a little more and can go with a ATX form factor, you should look at the K7N420 Pro. It will give you more flexibility in the future. Your other choice would be to wait for the nForce 2 Motherobards to come out and then upgrade your motherboard, passing your K7N420 Pro down.

The DigiTimes has an intesting article you might want to take a look at:

Nvidia?s nForce 2 to make its debut on July 16

If you would be interested in the SIS Route, take a look at the MS-6568

Good Luck,

Richard

P.S. It took me a couple of hours to finish this reply, got interupted several times, should someone have come up with the same ideas while I was replying.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your input.

Wonkanoby, that 415 board doesn't have integrated vga so it's not for me :(

DS, I wish I was in the USA to get those prices! I've only found one place here that sells the NV7m at a price anywhere near that, and I won't trust them with my credit card 8o (they also have a lousy returns policy). Most others have them at a HIGHER price than the 133R! X( . My local has the K7N420 at £90 all in, but it's too much for this application. I'm gonna see if I can find that SIS board, it'd be perfect for me if I can get it at a reasonable price!

Cheers!
BIM2k

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hi Guys,

Well I've not managed to find any of the MS 6568 or similar SIS boards in the UK from a respectable retailer. I may have to resort to a <cough, choke> PC-Chips SIS 740 board </cough, choke>.

Now given the choice between that and a <choke> VIA chipset</choke> , which would you choose?

TIA
BIM2k
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
bim2k,

I once had to take a couple of PC Chips Motherboard due to no others being available. I cannot tell you what a bad experience that was. The RAM never fits right. If you do not have RAM in the first DIMM Slot you do not get onboard video and there are no expansion slot for adding a video card when the first DIMM Slot goes bad, which many do. (I know from doing service calls and finding those mobos in peoples comps.)

There is something else, if you get one and try to boot but do not get video, you need to move the RAM from Slot 1 to Slot 3, power it up and back down, then put the RAM back in Dimm Slot 1 to get the video to work.

Now about giving your credit card out. If they sell you something that does not work, you can do two things, question the charge on your credit card statement, (If you do this one make sure to buy the mobo just after your new credit card billing cycle starts to make sure you get enough time to check out the motherboard before you have to pay the credit card bill.) or return the motherboard to MSI if it is defective. Remember you still have warranty if you buy a retail mobo.

Good Luck,

Richard
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
HI Guys,

Just as I got my solution out, I got a call today that basically said the client was changing her mind <sigh> what mind? </sigh>, and going for an Intel PC.

Now I'll say nothing more on the subject, just won't be handing out cheap tech support when it comes to THAT machine.

Oh well.
:evil: :evil: :evil:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Back
Top