Best P4 motherboard

[InverseOfNeo]

I am sure this question has been asked a lot, but now its my turn. I am looking for the most bang with my buck. Want USB 2.0, DDR333. I do not need AGP 8x, nor dual channel ddr. Available overclocking options would be nice although I will not be doing anything extreme. Looking in the $75-125 range. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[codehack2]

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo
I am sure this question has been asked a lot, but now its my turn. I am looking for the most bang with my buck. Want USB 2.0, DDR333. I do not need AGP 8x, nor dual channel ddr. Available overclocking options would be nice although I will not be doing anything extreme. Looking in the $75-125 range. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

The abit IT7 Max 2 rev 2 is getting a lot of love lately... loaded to the gills and overclocks like mad.

I'd say that any of the boards listed below would be a great fit for what your looking for...

Abit IT7 MAX 2 (rev2)
Gigabyte PE667Ultra 2
Asus P4PE


Good Luck,
CH2

 

[dmhinz]

I found anything with the SIS648 to be a great bang for the buck - you could get a a Gigabyte GA-8SG667 from www.mwave.com for about $82 brand new.

-D

 

[CraigRT]

Everyone always posts the stuff they own. thats fine.. but that's what i am gonna do.
I am loving my EPoX 4PEA+ 845pe board. LOADS of features and a great overclocker.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

At $167 (newegg), the Abit IT7Max is a bit expensive. How does the Asus P4PE stand? Its $118 at newegg. Seems like an all around decent board. Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?


Edit for price error

 

[wicktron]

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo
At $167 (newegg), the Abit IT7Max is a bit expensive. How does the Asus P4PE stand? Its $188 at newegg. Seems like an all around decent board. Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?

Wait... You say $167 is a bit expensive, yet you're considering a more expensive $188 motherboard?

 

[oldfart]

EPoX 4PEA+ is $118 @ Mwave, $145 @ Newegg. Mwave has great prices on EPox mobos

 

[InverseOfNeo]

Originally posted by: wixt0r

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo At $167 (newegg), the Abit IT7Max is a bit expensive. How does the Asus P4PE stand? Its $188 at newegg. Seems like an all around decent board. Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?

Wait... You say $167 is a bit expensive, yet you're considering a more expensive $188 motherboard?

Oops it was supposed to say 118 not 188. Editted post above to reflect that.

 

[codehack2]

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo
At $167 (newegg), the Abit IT7Max is a bit expensive. How does the Asus P4PE stand? Its $118 at newegg. Seems like an all around decent board. Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?


Edit for price error

No 1st hand experience, but from what I've gathered from the forums I've been around it seems like one of the top PE boards. Check out asusboards.com, you should get a decent feel for the board there.

CH2

 

[Mucker]

Another vote for the Epox 4PEA+.....the 3 different Epox boards that I have used have never failed to perform well for me

 

[InverseOfNeo]

Sounds like I am either going to go with the Asus P4PE or the Epox 4PEA+. It sounds like the epox is a better overclocker but I am not going to be doing anything extreme so it doesnt matter much. Leaning towards the Asus cuz of the name and I havent found anything convincing me that for my needs the epox is better (although I do like the name better, sounds good)

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo
Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?

The Blue Magic Slot is ASUS proprietary to support Asus function cards.
It can also be used like any other PCI slot.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

Originally posted by: jhites

Originally posted by: InverseOfNeo Does anyone know what the blue magic pci slot or whatever they call it does or why it is so special?

The Blue Magic Slot is ASUS proprietary to support Asus function cards. It can also be used like any other PCI slot.

In other words it is pretty much another thing they can say is a feature and in theory charge more money for it?

 

[Mucker]

Hey Inverse....did you read the AnandTech review of the Epox 4PEA+? It reviewed favorably (enough so that I bought one based on that review). Tons of features and the price is great. I'm sure happy with mine...

 

[InverseOfNeo]

At ~$120 at mwave.com, I think I am going to go with the Epox. The price difference between that and the AsusP4PE was enough to mak emy decision. Thanks all for your help.