Question about MSI board

[Avid6eek]

If your 512MB of RAM is 2x256Modules that will be an awsome board for you. The dual channel RAM although not a big performance jump for the non-graphics version of the nForce 2 is a major improvement for the graphics version because it gives the integrated GPU the bandwith it needs to access the memory. You will also see a performance improvement in the computer as a whole by betwen 5 and 10% becuase it is just that good of a motherboard, and the nForce 2 kicks total ass out of all AMD chipsets. This is the first benchmark I came across that shows the nForce2 vs other AMD platforms in gaming. Yes it's an old game, but the results are similair no matter what game you play.<BR><BR><img src="http://www6.tomshardware.com/mainboard/20030303/images/image002.gif"><BR><BR>That chart says it all.

[WisdomWolf]

i am looking to upgrade my current system and i am considering the new MSI K7N2G-ILSR board. I am currently running the following system:<BR>K7S5A mobo<BR>2000+ cpu<BR>512MB PC2100<BR>30 GB Quantum Fireball<BR>TNT2 graphics<BR><BR>As you can see it is a budget system no doubt. I obviously need a better graphics card, I am looking for USB 2.0 and firewire support. and hey RAID would be nice. I thought well I'm at it why not add 6 channel sound. then i ran across the K7N2G board and thought that it would meet all my needs for a good price without having to buy all new components. Is this board the best one to do what i want? I really like the GeForce4 onboard idea...anything is better than my TNT2.<BR><BR>Also...in the pic on Colin's review there are three RAM slots...two are right next to each other and purple. There is another slot spaced a little away and it is an aqua color. Why are they spaced/colored like that? What is the significance of the aqua slot?

[zaltec]

That is an excellent board, a few people here have the non integrated graphics version<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> The integrated graphics will do in a pinch, but an AGP graphics card would be a better idea. The coloured RAM slots are there because that board is based on the nForce2 chipset and it uses dual channel DDR. The slots are coloured to ensure the RAM is in the correct slot<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[CompSnake]

can you mis pc 3200 and 2700?

[Colin]

WisdomWolf welcome to PCStats! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>The onboard GeForce4 MX is actually not a <b>bad</b> videocard... It's quite a step up from your TNT2!<BR><BR>AS for the colours, teh to purple ones are for the first channel of the dual channel memory architecture while the aqua coloured one is for the 2nd channel. Somethign to remember, dual channel DDR for an AthlonXP is useless because the processor cannot use all the bandwidth.

[WisdomWolf]

Thanks a bunch guys! I am sure that I am going to get this board. I know that the integrated gpu is much better than what I have currently...it may not be the best but it sure as hell is better!