ECS, ASrock, or PCChips

I'm gonna be getting a new mobo, some RAM, and a video card as a lil gift after my mom gets her tax $ back. I likt Abit, ASUS, and MSI. but heres the catch...I have Win XP Pro, and I have had issues with swappin mobo's in the past. so, i figured if the new motherboard I buy has the same chipset as my current i'll be ok. heres my current motherboard/chipset
Asus P4B-mX/Intel 845
heres what Newegg has found for me:
Search Limitations:
+Socket 478
+Intel 845GV Chipset (this is the same as my current, right!?!?)
+AGP 8X Slot
+Onboard 10/100MBps LAN
Results:
PCChips M-909G
ASRock P4I45GV R5
ECS 845GV-M3

My only requirements are: good quality;overclockability;good quality.
Did i mention quality? I have heard bad things of all but ASRock. but, this is from people who demand the highest in performance.
*by the way, is my assumption of staying with the same chipset correct. i dont want to reinstall windows. if I can get around the chipset barrier, my options go sky high. HELP!!!*

 

anyone? please...
I also added the Foxconn 655A01 to my list of choices. I just need to find a way to get around the barrier of stickin with the 845 Chipset.

 

Hi Aku,

Abit, ASUS, and MSI...the pointy end of the market.
PCChips, ASRock and ECS...not quite the pointy end.

If you get a so-so motherboard, you will limit yourself in the future. Another area that you should consider about motherboards is the Support. The first three offer excellent support. At some stage I would say you will need that support (sounds like you have the upgrading bug ). Upgraded driver files, BIOS upgrades and a good knowledgebase is what you most likely need in the future. Anyway, enough ranting.

Don't limit yourself because of a minute restriction.

It sounds like you are on your last activation. If you limit your motherboard for the sake of the activation, you will probably kick yourself later.

I would set the money aside and save-up or wait till a birthday, etc and get a new version of WinXP. You can then get a "nice" motherboard that will see you well into the future (ha-ha, maybe 5 years ). If you find the "compromise" motherboard does not fit your needs, you will be back in the same boat.

My advice would be to build your system using the motherboard as a base. Don't build your system on a "restriction ".

It may be a little bit more waiting, although you may be able to get some parts now that will run on your present system and you can get a "taste" of your new build when you can get all the parts together.

Maybe do "plan" of what you would eventually like and see how would be the best way to get there.

Those are my thoughts...
PS! Do you have a version of 98? It could tide you over till you can get a new version of XP.
Matt

 

I still have Windows 2000 that is no longfer in use on any systems, so I could use that, right? anyway, the reason I am limited to the certain chipset is because last time I tried to switch motherboards, I got a stop error because the chipsets were different. I believe I have found the way around this (just remove all devices in dev. manager pertaining to the motherboard). but, I want to be sure that this works. if this method will work to get me around the chipset ****, then i want the Foxconn. and, I have a partial upgrading bug. I jst want my system to be able to run todays games @ medium detail, and the next 2 or 3 yrs worth of games n photos apps @ med. detail. thats all. I only have 512MB RAM, cuz thats all I need. only getting a Radeon 9600 Pro, cuz thats all I need. anyway, can I get around this chipset ****?

EdIT: Also, I would like to have onboard LAN an dvideo is a plus, but not required (in case my AGP card goes nuts).

 

Aku, thanks for the extra details,
It sounds like you are changing a fully installed harddrive from one "system" (motherboard) to another. When you change motherboards you should reinstall Windows (a fresh version). What is happening is that Windows is trying to install new drivers over the old ones and it does not really work very well. Even if you "make" Windows load new drivers, there may be old files around that will cause problems or slow-downs.

I suggest backing-up and installing Windows from "scratch ", it would still be better than a compromise.

Do you have games or programs where you can't afford to lose the saved files? Find out where the saved files are kept, in games it is usually under "Save" or "Data" in the program's folder (you can tell by seaching the folder by dates).

Work out a backup plan and carry it over to a new motherboard. What if your harddrive failed tomorrow? That's the time when the chipset will make no difference at all.

Abit, Asus and MSI have "base models" which they produce in bulk and can offer a good price. I would not blow my dreams on a "problem ".

You are more than a beginner, you have investigated where the problem is and how it can be overcome. Don't lose an advantage because you want to beat that problem. Look at the "whole picture" and where you want to be further down the track.

Overall, your mom (we say mum ) sounds like a lovely lady to be investing in both your interests and your future...don't blow it! (I remember the efforts my parents put into giving me my best opportunities...they won't be regretted). Make the most of it

Matt

 

Are in the UK or AU? Have you heard of Jungle or Drum n Bass music? Here in the US, no one listens to it but I know its a lot more popular in the UK and pretty popular in Australia. anyway, back on subject. All I need to backup is my Photoshop projects, so I guess I will just reinstall Windows. thanks for the help though. I dont know why I dont want to reinstall Windows. whatever. thx again mate.
i do appreciate what my "mum" or is doing. Although, this is the last round of upgrades she's paying for. oh well, she bought me an entire computer this year so im greatful. she has always told me not to ***** with her computer, but has given me old systems from freinds and work for me to play with. I used to tear apart an old P1 system n rebuild it all the time, just for the hell of it. Shes happy that I can help her out now though!

 

Can't say I've heard of that music. I mostly like Progressive rock (Pink Floyd, Yes), so you could probably tell how old I am . I sometimes hear some of the newer/different types on the radio, I will make a note if I hear of it. I'll ask my daughter, she probably knows it well

Sounds like you are forging a plan for the upgrade. I would feel that getting a motherboard with the same chipset would be moving sideways rather than UPgrading and therefore not a great investment...and not reinstalling Windows may even make it go worse, not better.

It may be a pain to reinstall everything, but it should get rid of any "cobwebs ". When you get Windows installed, immediately concentrate on installing good sets of drivers (motherboard drivers first, then video drivers, then other important drivers), also check if newer driver versions may be available and install those instead of the originals.

I hope it goes well. Regards to your mom
Matt

 

Aku, in PC building as in many other areas, there are jewels of wisdom that have been forged in the crucible of experience. Wisdom that one should heed even if you haven't been directly involved in a particular task or process yourself. One such jewel is "don't swap motherboards without a fresh install of the OS - even if your buddy says he pulled it off ". Unfortunately, raising teenagers doesn't seem to fall into the category of "learning from others' mistakes ".

I didn't really get the gist of why you seem to want to choose between ECS, Asrock and PCChips. Both ECS and PCChips fall into a "life category" that I've developed that basically states that though I might have absolute success with an item in this category, since my time and peace of mind is so valuable, I promise to swear these items off forever. It sounds a bit rigid but at some point you lose all patience for problematic hardware. I find as a philosophy it works very well.

I've never used an Asrock but I think it's in the lower tier of pricing - which for me would be a warning signal. Don't know about the UK but in the US, mainboards have been pretty much become commodities and with a little effort you can find topname boards very cheap.

Gary