Best mobo for Athlon 64's?

[DAPUNISHER]

How's about you read the links? They will show the Envy24PT vs realtek and the 24PT hands it it's lunch for qualtiy and CPU usage. Now, if it's not beyond your ability to grasp, if the Realtek beats the Audigy and the 24PT beats the Realtek then it logically follows the the 24PT beats the Audigy I needn't continue this any longer. The members here are intelligent enough to know what is FUD and what isn't. I'll let them decide for themselves

 

[Shortass]

Originally posted by: Bar81
Again, stop going off topic, we're not talking about the ALC650, we're comparing the Envy24PT to the Audigy.

Actually, the topic is my question about a motherboard for the A64. I've decided to get the 3000+ and I wanted to know if it were overclockable and how high could it go.

I see now that it can go up to about 2.4GHz and maybe even close to 2.5 for the 3200+, and I want to know if the 3000+ can go somewhat near that. What is the best mobo for a decent price that can produce the overclocking capabilities? The nForce3 250gb?

Another question is what motherboard has a decent integrated sound card, and if none do for the A64 what is a decent card I can get?

Stop hijacking my thread please. I know there are disagreements, but insults to eachother doesn't help me make up my mind. I just want to know the facts, not this useless argument which is just making me even more confused.

I don't want to be an ass to anyone here, I've been given a ton of help already and I'm really grateful. Please don't taint the experience by personal feuds.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The CG stepping may have a bit more overclocking headroom than the C0 but the only CG I've seen thus far is the 3200+ DTR which doesn't have the heatshield, so if you fear you will crush or chip the core stay away from it. The 24PT as I've mentioned is an excellent bundled solution, and I know at least one member here, who uses the Chaintech nF3 150 which includes it that says it overclocks well and the sound is awesome. I've given you my overclocking results with the AN50R using a 3000+. I can see where the arguing caused you to miss the relevant info but it's there My 3000+ will not do 2.5ghz stable on 1.7v or less so unless you get a good overclocker I wouldn't expect much more than 2.4ghz without exceeding that voltage. Although I haven't used the new Chaintech 250GB board I wouldn't be surprised if it is just as capable an overclocker as my AN50R is, plus it evidently has pci lock. A review would tell you wether or not it has the voltage ranges necessary to yield the results you are after. HTH

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

I have a CO stepped 3000 at 2.4 stable right now with a retail HSF. I don't think I got a magic one either...returned all goop encrusted from Newegg.com refurb section. Obviously prepping the HSF and CPU is a lost art...whatever...I honestly don't believe you will see the difference in real life between 2.4 and 2.5 on one of these, especially with a gig of ram. I have had mine running at both speed...whatever. The cool part is when the .09 micron jobbies come out I will drop it right in and then hit 2.6-2.7 I hope...BIG SMILES. If you got to have 2.6 and beyond now, don't be cheap and get an FX 53.

 

[Shortass]

How does the ASRock K8S8X compare to the Chaintech VNF3-250? As I've said I want to overclock, but I don't want to push it too far (hoping for 2.4GHz). Which is the better choice, or is there another option?

Also, how does the ABIT KV8 Pro stack up to those two?

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

You will not get that high with either of the other two motherboards. The Abit Pci/Agp lock doesn't work same with the asrock.

RIGHT NOW the Chaintech is the most compelling budget performance solution.

 

[grabbingsand]

So .... um .... anyone have anything good or bad to say about the on-board sound with the Chaintech VNF3-250?

(In other words, should I prepare to transplant my old Soundblaster Live card?)