Recommend me a Mobo

[beano500]

I had a good plan for my new machine around an Asus Mobo which had all I wanted. The Asus P5GDC-V Deluxe, in fact.

It was DOA and now they're out of stock with my favourite supplier (and I have a credit anyway, so don't necessarily want to go elsewhere). Anyway - I've got everything else now, so I'm pretty much committed to the P4 775.

So what should I consider as an alternative?

Needs/likes:

Socket 775
Graphics
Sound
DDR 1 & 2
8 x USB 2.0
SATA

Use:
General stuff like browsing PH!
Photoshop
A few games
Bit of Multimedia
General Orrifice programs

I'd prefer to go for a good mainstream make rather than save a few pennies. Want it to be reliable.... Have used ECS for previous machines, and they've turned out to be pretty good value.

Whatcha reckon?

[malman]

Abit are quite good but all the ones I can see that match most of your specs don't support ddr1 and 2 (2 only)

[beano500]

Abit, eh? Yes I've heard only good reports.

Maybe I'll just have to compromise - perhaps if I stick to DDR400, I don't necessarily NEED the DDRII it's just a case of when I next want to tinker! Then the graphics I can happily go for seperately so it looks like the AS8 is a contender - mm, not bad on price too. Anyone else?

Thanks Neil (PS That's a fine looking purple throbber you have there.... )

[pdV6]

Can't be of much real help, except to say that the last m/b I bought for home use was an Abit (KR7A-RAID iirc), bought on recommendation. Haven't been able to fault it in the last 3-odd years' service...

[IPAddis]

Abit and Asus are the big hitters but MSI (who also make graphics cards) have come out top of the tests a few times.

I personally would avoid Gigabyte like the plague from past experience.

Ian A.