Many computer enthusiasts like Athlon motherboards. They're cheaper compared
to Intel boards and offer exceptional performance. Just look at the power of
the latest NVIDIA nForce2 boards.
However, selecting a board from the vast range of AMD motherboards out there
is certainly a daunting task. Its all too easy to select an incompatible or
badly designed motherboard that will cause slow downs or system failures
when you set up your new computer.
Here's a personal list of the top 5 AMD Athlon motherboards
which I'd recommend. Check them out - they're excellent motherboards which will
last you a long time.
ASUS A8N-SLI
The ASUS P5ND2-SLI Deluxe is an all new AMD 64-bit Socket 939 platform which
gives leading performance with multimedia applications. With SLI PCI Express
graphics, Serial ATA and RAID support, 6-channel sound, IEEE 1394, and USB2.0 -
you can just imagine what power you can get out of this one.
MSI K7N2G-ILSR
The MSI K7N2G-ILSR offers ard offers a combination of performance and
flexibility at a reasonable price. Everything you need is built in: AGP 8X,
support for Serial ATA RAID, 6-channel sound, IEEE 1394, USB2.0 and powerful nForce2 integrated graphics. Highly recommended.
Chaintech SK8T800
Chaintech has always made quality motherboards and the SK8T800 is no exception. A
Socket 754 platform, this board provides AGP 4X/8X support and incorporates a
long list of features. It has performed very well in various benchmark tests
too. Overall, a solid motherboard at a very good price.
ABIT NF7-S2
The ABIT NF7-S2 is designed with the overclocker in mind. Standard stuff is all
there: AGP 8x, DDR memory, Serial ATA support, 6 channel audio, USB 2.0 support and IEEE 1394
support. Do take note that you buy a board that is version
1.2 or higher. Overclocking was touted to be problem in earlier versions.
Gigabyte GA-K8U
The Gigabyte GA-K8U represents great value for money. Run an AMD Athlon 64
processor with DDR400 memory, SATA hard drive, AGP 8X video, built-in audio
sound and high speed USB 2.0 support. This Socket 754 board is best suited for
those on a budget but who still want great performance.
Conclusion
So which motherboard do you
choose out of the five? Well, if you want extreme performance and screamingly
fast speed, then you'll certainly want to get the ASUS A8N-SLI. For those
looking for a better price, I'd say the MSI K7N2G-ILSR and Chaintech SK8T800 are
good choices. However, its always best to do your homework. Check out the
motherboard manufacturer's website and make sure you do sufficient research
before buying.
Related Articles
You may also wish to read the following related
articles:
