StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I was hoping someone who has personal experience with an A64 X2 could recommend a good motherboard to use.

I've been looking at the Abit AX8 and AN8-Ultra, but both have some problems for me.

-The first is that the AX8 has two versions, one that supports the X2 and one that doesn't, yet none of the merchants I trade with can tell me which version they have. Anyone know where I can get a AX8 V2.0?

- The second is that the AN8-Ultra apparently is a really crappy board -- a lot of people are having serious problems with it as far as I can tell. Is my impression incorrect?

I've also looked at the MSI NF4 based boards, but they have significant layout problems (mostly the ones that prevent me from installing a passive cooling system) that prevent me from buying them.

Basically, I am looking for an NV NF4 or VIA K8T890 based board that will take an X2. I am mostly concerned with getting a high quality board with a passive cooling system (or the ability to install one). I've never been happy with a board from any manufacturer other than MSI or Abit, but I am willing to give one a try with a good rec.

Any help would be appreciated!
Miles Teg

The Asus A8N-E is a good motherboard (and IMHO, Asus is of higher quality than either Abit or MSI). I'm not sure if it is compatible with the X2 out of the box but it may boot into 'single-core' mode so that you can flash the BIOS. The A8N-E Premium is definately compatible out of the box.

The Tyan K8E (aka S2865) is a very good motherboard but also quite expensive.

Abit has had a run off in quaility latley

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe is the board you want. Compatible out of the box. Offers PCI-Express goodness and only $160 most places

Of course if your still running AGP video its not the board for you.

ASUS or DFI SLI, Don't touch the rest unless you really want the Gigabyte board.