I recently built an inexpensive system using an ASROCK board and was
pleasantly surprised. It is running an AMD barton 2500+ as a 3200+ without
problem. It has dual channel DDR, SATA RAID (no using so can't comment),
built in network and sound. Based on VIA chipset KT880. It was only $45.
Been running 24/7 for almost 2 months. Would definately consider the brand
again.

My "other system" is based on a Gigabyte GA-7NNXP that cost $173. More bells
and whistles and has functioned for about 1 year with a true AMD 3200+
without a problem. SATA and IDE RAID have both worked great. Has 4 IDE
channels (two channels for RAID or 4 independant drives and two channels for
plain IDE - 4 devices) so you could hook up 10 drives, 8 PATA and 2 SATA.
Gigabyte and 10/100 network LAN connectors. Overall, a great board (except
for the price).

I used to swear by FIC boards, but don't hear much about them anymore. My
first build was with an FIC PA 2007 board which was "hot" at the time. Built
a total of 4 systems with FIC boards and all worked well.

Good luck in your search.

Jim Maki
[log in to unmask]


> Hi Peter,
>
> working for a distributor, we deal with several
> lines of main boards daily.  I have listed them
> in the order of my personal preferences.

>
> Intel (p4 only), Asrock , Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte. (currently)
>

>
> Joe Lore
>
> ================================


> My need is for a stable, good performing, desktop system. I
> don't want to pay top dollar for the "latest and greatest", but am willing
> to pay for good quality that performs well.
>

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>