Which of these mboards is most future proof?

  • Thread starter Thread starter OhioGuy
  • Start date Start date
O

OhioGuy

In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've
decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However,
I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering:


1)

Brand ASRock
Model AM2NF6G-VSTA
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100-405
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 800
PCI Express x16 1 x PCI Express Graphics slot
PCI Express x1 1 PCI Slots 2
Other Slots 1 x HDMR slot
PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices
SATA 3Gb/s 2
SATA RAID 0/1
Onboard Video Yes
Onboard Video Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888
Audio Channels 8 Channels
LAN Chipset Realtek 8201CL PHY
Max LAN Speed 10/100Mbps
PS/2 2
LPT 1
Video Ports D-Sub
USB 4 x USB 2.0
Audio Ports 6 Ports


2)
ECS Model RS485M-M (V1.0)

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge ATI Radeon XPRESS 300, South Bridge ATI SB460
Memory: Slots 2x 240pin DDR2, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual
Channel
Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices: PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 4, SATA RAID
RAID 0/1
Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon X300-based 2D/3D


3)
# Biostar NF61SM-AM2-SE
# CPU Support: Supports Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon
64, Sempron Processor;
# Supports AMD HyperTransport, Cool 'n' Quiet Technology
# Chipset: nVidia MCP61S (GeForce 6100 & nForce 405)
# Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity 2GB
# Slots: 1x PCI-Express x16 slot; 1x PCI-Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 Channel; 2x SATA2 ports, support RAID 0, 1
# Audio: Realtek ALC861VD 6-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
# Video: nVidia GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller share upto 256MB memory
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet controller
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial
port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack
# Power Connector: 1x 24pin main power, 1x 4pin CPU power
# Form Factor: Micro ATX, 8.2 x 9.6 inch / 20.8 x 24.4 cm
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels
Onboard LAN: Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, VGA 1, USB 4x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3
Ports
Onboard USB 4x USB 2.0
Form Factor Micro ATX
Dimensions 9.6" x 9.6"


4)
Asus M2N-MX
# CPU: Socket AM2 support Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Sempron
processor; AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology; FSB 2000/1600 MT/s
# Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce6100 & nForce 430 MCP
# Memory: 4x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel ECC/non-ECC,
un-buffered, Upto 4GB
# Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 1x PCI Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 channel; 4x SATA2 ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and
JBOD
# Audio: ADI AD1986A High Definition Audio 5.1channel CODEC
# Video: Integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller (max. resolutions 1920
x 1440)
# LAN: NVIDIA MCP61P built-in Gigabit Ethernet Controller
# Ports: 10x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 6 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial
port; 1x Parallel port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack
# Form Factor: Micro-ATX, 9.6 x 8.8 inch / 24.5 x 22.2 cm


5)
MSI K9MM-V

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge VIA K8M800, South Bridge VIA VT8237R
Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual, Channel
Expansion Slots: AGP Slots 1 x AGP 4X / 8X, PCI Express x16 None, PCI Slots
3
Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 2, SATA RAID
0/1
Onboard Video Chipset: S3 Graphics Unichrome
Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels
Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0,
Audio Ports 3 Ports
Onboard USB 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports


6)
Gigabyte M61VME-S2

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100 / nForce 400
Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 8GB
Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 3Gb/s 2, SATA RAID
0/1
Onboard Video: Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC883, 8 Channels
Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports: D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0,
Audio Ports: 3 Ports
Onboard USB: 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports
Form Factor Micro ATX
Dimensions 9.6" x 8.9"

So, I've got 6 motherboards that are all in the $55 to $65 range, and seem
to be very similar.

I'm looking primarily for:

A) future CPU support

B) BIOS updates & web support (downloads & updates easily available)

C) stability

I'm not interested in overclocking or anything - I just want a motherboard
that is rock solid, and won't be outdated soon due to lack of support.

Thanks!
 
OhioGuy said:
In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've
decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video.
However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm
considering:
Click to expand...

(snip)

How to put this gently? It doesn't matter which board is most future-proof.
Motherboards start out cheap and get cheaper over time. Theoretically, you
could spend $65 on a AM2 board today. Two years from now, you will find a
much better board with the same socket for $40 or less. If you are looking
to upgrade your CPU, the cost of the motherboard will be trivial compared to
the cost of the CPU. In the unlikely event your current board can't support
your new CPU of the same socket design (even with a BIOS flash), you won't
lose much sleep tossing the old motherboard in the garbage or even selling
it on ebay. PLUS, it's likely that by the time you're ready to upgrade your
CPU, you will want a different socket CPU anyway. (AM2 will be such ancient
technology by then!!!)

So ignoring future CPU support, the best of the boards you listed based on
the other criteria you listed is the Biostar board. You want stability, and
support, right? Biostar. -Dave
 
OhioGuy said:
I just want a motherboard that is rock solid, and won't be
outdated soon due to lack of support.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about a future proof mainboard. My CPU, video card,
and hard drive, each cost more than my mainboard.

The socket type is important.

Good luck.
 
OhioGuy said:
In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've
decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video.
However, I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm
considering:
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. By the time your new system is considered outdated, you'll
likely need a new mobo to take advantage of a new cpu.
 
In the next few months, I'm going to be building a new system. I've
decided I want to get an AM2 based mboard that has onboard video. However,
I'm having a hard time deciding. Here are the boards I'm considering:

1)

Brand ASRock
Model AM2NF6G-VSTA
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100-405
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 800
PCI Express x16 1 x PCI Express Graphics slot
PCI Express x1 1 PCI Slots 2
Other Slots 1 x HDMR slot
PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices
SATA 3Gb/s 2
SATA RAID 0/1
Onboard Video Yes
Onboard Video Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888
Audio Channels 8 Channels
LAN Chipset Realtek 8201CL PHY
Max LAN Speed 10/100Mbps
PS/2 2
LPT 1
Video Ports D-Sub
USB 4 x USB 2.0
Audio Ports 6 Ports

2)
ECS Model RS485M-M (V1.0)

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge ATI Radeon XPRESS 300, South Bridge ATI SB460
Memory: Slots 2x 240pin DDR2, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual
Channel
Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices: PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 4, SATA RAID
RAID 0/1
Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon X300-based 2D/3D

3)
# Biostar NF61SM-AM2-SE
# CPU Support: Supports Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon
64, Sempron Processor;
# Supports AMD HyperTransport, Cool 'n' Quiet Technology
# Chipset: nVidia MCP61S (GeForce 6100 & nForce 405)
# Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity 2GB
# Slots: 1x PCI-Express x16 slot; 1x PCI-Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 Channel; 2x SATA2 ports, support RAID 0, 1
# Audio: Realtek ALC861VD 6-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
# Video: nVidia GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller share upto 256MB memory
# LAN: Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet controller
# Ports: 8x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 4 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial
port; 1x VGA port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack
# Power Connector: 1x 24pin main power, 1x 4pin CPU power
# Form Factor: Micro ATX, 8.2 x 9.6 inch / 20.8 x 24.4 cm
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels
Onboard LAN: Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, VGA 1, USB 4x USB 2.0, Audio Ports 3
Ports
Onboard USB 4x USB 2.0
Form Factor Micro ATX
Dimensions 9.6" x 9.6"

4)
Asus M2N-MX
# CPU: Socket AM2 support Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64/ Sempron
processor; AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology; FSB 2000/1600 MT/s
# Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce6100 & nForce 430 MCP
# Memory: 4x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel ECC/non-ECC,
un-buffered, Upto 4GB
# Slots: 1x PCI Express x16 slot; 1x PCI Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots
# IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 channel; 4x SATA2 ports support RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and
JBOD
# Audio: ADI AD1986A High Definition Audio 5.1channel CODEC
# Video: Integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics Controller (max. resolutions 1920
x 1440)
# LAN: NVIDIA MCP61P built-in Gigabit Ethernet Controller
# Ports: 10x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 6 by headers); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial
port; 1x Parallel port; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack
# Form Factor: Micro-ATX, 9.6 x 8.8 inch / 24.5 x 22.2 cm

5)
MSI K9MM-V

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge VIA K8M800, South Bridge VIA VT8237R
Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 2GB, Dual, Channel
Expansion Slots: AGP Slots 1 x AGP 4X / 8X, PCI Express x16 None, PCI Slots
3
Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 1.5 Gb/s 2, SATA RAID
0/1
Onboard Video Chipset: S3 Graphics Unichrome
Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC655, 6 Channels
Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2.0,
Audio Ports 3 Ports
Onboard USB 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports

6)
Gigabyte M61VME-S2

Product Specifications:
CPU Socket Type Socket AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets: North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 6100 / nForce 400
Memory: Slots 2×240pin, Standard DDR2 800, Maximum Memory 8GB
Expansion Slots: PCI Express x16 1, PCI Express x1 1, PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices: PATA 1 x ATA100 up to 2 Devices, SATA 3Gb/s 2, SATA RAID
0/1
Onboard Video: Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Onboard Audio: Chipset Realtek ALC883, 8 Channels
Onboard LAN: Chipset Realtek 8201 PHY, Speed 10/100Mbps
Rear Panel Ports: PS/2 2, COM 1, LPT 1, Video Ports: D-Sub, USB 4 x USB 2..0,
Audio Ports: 3 Ports
Onboard USB: 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support 4 ports
Form Factor Micro ATX
Dimensions 9.6" x 8.9"

So, I've got 6 motherboards that are all in the $55 to $65 range, and seem
to be very similar.

I'm looking primarily for:

A) future CPU support

B) BIOS updates & web support (downloads & updates easily available)

C) stability

I'm not interested in overclocking or anything - I just want a motherboard
that is rock solid, and won't be outdated soon due to lack of support.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The answer is that none of the above are future proof. I'd go with 4)
Asus M2N-MX because Asus usually does you right. They include
everything you need (cables and such) and are usualy pretty good at
keeping their drivers up to date.

However, you are looking mostly at nforce 400 series boards, when the
600 series is out, so you are a few generation behind the tech curve.
Budget models are rarely future proof. The good news is that all of
the issues with nForce 4 stuff should be already sorted out, so you
won't get the bleeding edge type problems either.

Dean G.
 
Back
Top