[XtremeMaC]

hmm seems pretty nice
red
well since max is 3.2 right now u wouldn't need to worry about it
but it means as long as the architecture of p4's don't change suddenly (well it would be p5 then ) its going to support higher values.

[prathapml]

guess i might be telling you what you already know:

i865 compares poorly with the 875 based boards.
If it's decent (u know - like, good enough quality) integrated graphics you are after, I would recommend an nForce2-with-graphics board.
(It's for AMD, I have it, and those who talk about bad experiences have had that "experience" years ago - if someone declares that a Pentium-MMX is slow and isn't compatible with AGP8X and unable to run Unreal2, that isn't saying much is it? The current set of AMD solutions, AthlonXP for mid-end and AthlonFX-64bit for high-end compares nicely with anything out there.)


What I have:
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
512 MB DDR266 SDRAM
MSI K7N2G-ILSR (nF2 with IGP) [has AGP8X, dual-channel DDR400 support, GeForce 4 MX integrated, firewire, LAN, Serial-ATA 150,RAID 1-0.

I am extremely happy with the above - everything (even latest games) runs well.
WinXP SP1 plain install - 12 mins.
WinXP SP1 plus a million apps silent install + drivers integrated - 35 mins.
UT2k3 at normal video settings - 76fps
Max Payne 2 runs beautifully even with all enhancements turned on.
but dX9 based games (like Halo) don't render very well because pixel shaders are not supported on this version of nVidia's card.

--------------------------------------------------------------
My personal preference:

If I had the money:
i875 mainboard (Asus or Intel)
P4EE 3.2 GHz
ATi Radeon 9800 XT
DDR400 ram (maybe 2 GB)

If I didn't:
what i already have


You might like to wait some more.......
Since you talk of a year 2004 time-frame, forget about the all the above IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY

the present intel chipsets may not be able to support the newer set of processors releasing in Feb2k4 - and the exciting thing is the below:

(the next intel chipset is code-named Grantsdale and will have an integrated graphics core which might exceed today's FX5600/Radeon9500 - obviously, high-end graphics cards retain their position)

[info taken from <not sure> MSFN itself]

Quote

Intel Extreme Graphics 3 to Support Dual-Monitor
Posted by nick99 - 11-30-03 01:06 - 0 comments
 

Historically end-users in communities requiring a number of monitors per one computer used rather expensive specially developed graphics cards. The situation changed when consumer graphics chips developers NVIDIA, Matrox and ATI Technologies unveiled their solutions with dual-display support in 1999 and 2000 – those products were substantially more affordable compared to professional graphics cards. Next year Intel will bring dual-monitor virtually for free for nearly every PC based on Intel’s next-generation chipset for desktop computers known under Grantsdale-G code-name.

Sources familiar with Intel’s plans report that Grantsdale-G provides a flexible and stable platform for corporate and consumer. Offered features include PCI Express x16 graphics port (PEG x16), Intel Extreme Graphics 3 – Intel’s third generation integrated graphics core, dual-channel DDR-II SDRAM, dual-monitor, 4 Serial ATA-150 ports, 4 PCI Express x1 ports and Azalia audio.

Earlier this year we learnt Intel’s next-year chipset hero Grantsdale-G will have hardware support for Pixel Shaders 2.0 in order to properly render GUI interface of Microsoft’s next-generation software peak code-named Longhorn. The Vertex Shaders 2.0 support will be probably carried out by Intel’s monstrous new Pentium 4 CPUs at stunning speeds.

Systems with two and more monitors are typically used by finance, engineering, design, media and some other communities for more efficient work. The market of professional 2D solutions (the majority of which support 2 or more monitors) is growing rather substantially. According to IDC, in the Q2 2003 it soared 17% quarter-over-quarter. NVIDIA is the top supplier of professional 2D solutions with 53% share, Matrox Graphics has the second spot with 19%, other companies – primarily ATI Technologies and Appian – occupy 28%.
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Intel disclosed plans to integrate WLAN capabilities into its next-generation desktop chipset code-named Grantsdale. Earlier the company did not disclose plans to add support for Wi-Fi into its next year’s mainstream core-logic. The move may bring a lot of benefits for customers, but may leave manufacturers of low-cost WLAN equipment without clients. According to a report from Reuters, Intel’s President Paul Otellini confirmed the information about integrated Access Point capabilities available in Intel Grantsdale during his meeting with analysts in November. The official did not disclose any technical details, but it transpired that the chipset will not include an actual Wi-Fi radio, so users will still need a wireless add-on card. There is no information about the actual cost of such integrated Wi-Fi technology, though, it is pretty clear that it will be considerably cheaper compared to conventional Wireless LAN solutions.

Intel Grantsdale-P chipset is expected to sport 533 and 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus for LGA775 processors, dual-channel DDR-II memory at up to 533MHz, PCI Express x16 port for graphics cards (PEG x16), 4 Serial ATA-150 ports, 4 PCI Express x1 ports and Azalia audio. Intel’s Grantsdale-G chipset will also provide Intel Extreme Graphics 3 core with support for 2 displays. Additionally, Intel plans to provide Grantsdale-GV and Grantsdale-GL products for cost-effective PCs as well as Alderwood core-logic for high-end desktop computers. There is no information whether Alderwood or low-cost versions of Grantsdale sport the WLAN capabilities or not. In early 2003 during the quarterly conference call NVIDIA’s CFO Marvin Burkett said the company was going to integrate wireless Ethernet (WLAN) controller in the upcoming Media and Communication Processors by the end of the year, though, the company has not announced any MCPs with integrated WLAN capabilities.
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I hope this overloaded you with info on your choices,
Cheers !!!

[prathapml]

speculation is that the i865 may also support the 3.4 GHz chip which is expected to be released soon.

[prathapml]

Sorry, forgot to add this earlier:

If you do go for AMD Athlons, make sure you use good cooling.
My processor runs 39degrees C at max load.
spending 15$ on cooling solution after you have saved a good deal of money has never been useless.

[XtremeMaC]

I've amd 2500+ back home on my desktop
I got a $40 fan and it still is at 50-60degrees normal load!?$*%

I would recommend asus boards as well. but I'm not sure about how they are with the upcoming 3.4ht chip