New motherboard?

[fst h2o]

I am fairly newto building PC's. I built a budget model last summer due to monetary constraints, and am pretty happy with it. I am looking to build a great gaming computer that can also run Photoshop and MSOffice Pro. with no difficulty.

I've read up on processors, and am leaning towards AMD for their better gaming performance. Obviously I'm looking at the A64(fx?) series, but that's another topic on a different forum.

My question is about which motherboard to get. I haven't overclocked before, but am interested in trying it out (4000+ has 2.4GHz vs. FX-55's 2.6GHz for $400 more). I'm looking at the A8N-SLI Premium, but am wondering if there's a different board that might be more suited for my plans.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[ProviaFan]

ASUS is good, though many people recommend DFI for overclocking. They can be somewhat finicky, and the "support" that everyone raves about isn't always everything it's made out to be. Still, if you think you might want to overclock to extremes, they're worth considering over ASUS.

 

[i1o0i]

Yeah.. A8N SLI Premium just release few days ago.. I heard good reviews about it so I think you should try it as your future gaming pc

 

[fst h2o]

Any other comments?

 

[peleejosh]

If you are a beginner overclocker I would recommend the Asus over the DFI. The DFI has lots of features that you wont know how to use, and it is tricky to get it running with no previous experience.

 

[NatePo717]

That's not 100% true on the DFI. My first build was using the DFI nF3 250 board I am using now. Threw it all together and booted it up first try with 0 problems and it was rock solid. There are A LOT of options on it though so read up on it if you want to get it.

 

[imported_Kensai]

You'll probably want something along the lines of an X2 and the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum.

 

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: Kensai
You'll probably want something along the lines of an X2 and the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum.

:thumbsup:

The X2s look to eb a better bargain than the highend A64s, and if you are a beginner, most of the RAM settings on the DFI board will be at "auto", and the MSI board is still a good overclocker (2nd best) and has nice features (integrated Creative Live 5.1 audio, 8 SATA ports).

 

[ProviaFan]

I'm finding out, like some others in this thread that the A8N-E has some issues with overclocking in the current BIOS. If your CPU doesn't require the current BIOS, then you can use 1001 and be fine, but if you have an X2, you're SOL. I wouldn't consider an MSI based on all of the threads I've seen with MSI issues, so DFI may be the best choice after all, as long as you choose your RAM wisely (even though their support forum isn't all it's made out to be).