Now back to usual items - New mobo searching - recommendat..

I'm looking to replace an Abit KT7A with something more up to date.
I'd like it to support 1.6GHz processor or better(prefer AMD but Intel is
not out of the question), 4 or 5 PCI slots, AGP at least 4X, no onboard
video (would like to have no onboard audio too but at last search that
doesn't seem to be an option anymore).
Memory support enough for Windows Vista with the Aero support. 2 IDE
ports. Don't need SATA at this time but that could change. USB 2.0 with
enough connectors for front and back of case ports. Firewire support.
Built in Ethernet ports would be ok but not necessary since I have a
nicely working Linksys 10/100 PCI board. Floppy drive connector.

Lastly a price that isn't in the stratosphere. I would like to keep
it under $90 if possible. But I will entertain over that if the board
is really worth it.

Thanks.

Kern wrote:
> I'm looking to replace an Abit KT7A with something more up to date.
> I'd like it to support 1.6GHz processor or better(prefer AMD but Intel is
> not out of the question), 4 or 5 PCI slots, AGP at least 4X, no onboard
> video (would like to have no onboard audio too but at last search that
> doesn't seem to be an option anymore).
> Memory support enough for Windows Vista with the Aero support. 2 IDE
> ports. Don't need SATA at this time but that could change. USB 2.0 with
> enough connectors for front and back of case ports. Firewire support.
> Built in Ethernet ports would be ok but not necessary since I have a
> nicely working Linksys 10/100 PCI board. Floppy drive connector.
>
> Lastly a price that isn't in the stratosphere. I would like to keep
> it under $90 if possible. But I will entertain over that if the board
> is really worth it.
>
> Thanks.

AMD boards with AGP. Only one has socket AM2 (the current volume socket for AMD).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022...7340757

Intel boards with AGP. The AsRock 4CoreDual-SATA2 PT880 board is your best bet.
It uses DDR memory, like PC3200 stuff. (Download the manual from Asrock.com,
to learn more about it.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280...7340757

For a motherboard like the Asrock, an older P4 Cedar Mill should work OK.
This is 3GHz and is $72.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116004

An alternative would be a Core2 Allendale FSB800. E4xxx series. The E4500
is $127 and is dual core. You may have a little overclocking headroom,
by using FSB800. The PT880 chipset doesn't "go to infinity and beyond", which
is why I'm being conservative in selecting processors for it. FSB1333 would
be out of the question, and FSB1066 doesn't leave much room for fun.
But starting at FSB800 and overclocking to FSB1066, should give some
improvement.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031

If you could dump the AGP requirement, there'd be a lot more
room for other selections. If your current AGP card is not
really a good one, then perhaps there are other alternatives.
At some point, you have to dump the video

Paul