I already special ordered this motherboard but I am worried I might of misread the description in thinking it has a video card built into it:


http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Produ...cts_7NF-RZ.htm#

Gigabyte
7NF-RZ
nForce 2 SPP+MCP chipset

Introduction
The 7NF-RZ is one of the motherboards offered in Gigabyte's new RZ series. The RZ series line focuses on reliability, real performance and right value (The Three R's) to provide a total package at an affordable price. The 7NF-RZ is based on the nForce 2 System Platform Processor (SPP) and is a great solution for the AMD Sempron and AthlonTMXP processor. The nForceTM2 platform processors not only carries the new generation architecture consisting of DDR400 controller and AGP8X graphics interface, but also integrates the innovative Dynamic adaptive speculative pre-processor (DASP) and Hyper-Transport Technology to boost the overall system performance. This platform provides Ethernet LAN connection and USB2.0 interface for wide range of connectivity. The 6-channel audio is also furnished to provide a superior audio experience during gaming and movie watching. 7NF-RZ delivers an ideal platform with outstanding performance for home and office environment.

I am under the impression that this motherboard has a graphics card integrated into the motherboard beacuse the talk about the Nvidia stuff but I don't see the plug to plug the monitor into it. This is kinda a stupid question (I have been out of the motherboard business for a long time) but I just want to make sure....can anyone tell from this description if it has a video card in it for sure?

Thanks,
-Darin

no

I just read description of this mobo and there is not graphic card build in. There is only sound and lan controller...

Oh no, a nForce 2 board.
May the force be with you...

This is actually quite a good board... I'm currently using it.

And no, it does not have integrated graphics.

I have an nForce2 board (ASUS A7N8X-E), and have been very pleased with it so far, specially considering my past experience with VIA chipsets.

nForce2 based mobos have issues with powering USB ports. They won't give more current to USB device than USB specification allows, and you would be surprised how many USB devices want to drain more. Such a devices won't function correctly or at all with these mobos, unless you buy PCI add-in USB controller.
Since 2 years my main machine is an nForce2 one, and that USB issue is the only bad thing I can say about it.

nForce2 boards have a lot of issues. And I'm talking from experience, I myself have one. Since we are an audio forum, the most annoying one has to be the sound skipping issue. It gets better with the latest drivers, but still far from perfect. nForce2 issues were discussed many times here on HA:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....23649&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....29416&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....29412&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....27632&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....25829&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....25229&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....23149&hl=nforce
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....21898&hl=nforce

Want more?

Funny thing is that half of the posts you mentioned is about one sound card. I wonder why people blame chipset instead of that sound card. Perhaps half of them also have mouse of the same vendor, or CD-ROM of the same vendor, and maybe even fridge of the same vendor, why won't they blame fridge for the issues?

Because that m/b has a built in soundcard.

Maybe because the one thing they ALL have in common is the mainboard chipset.

Seriously, I have a nforce2 board (Abit NF7-S 2.0) and it's a pain. Sound skipping, problems recognizing IDE devices, LAN related problems, BSOD's from hell, etc. Real fun
There is a reason we call 'em nvidiot...

Interesting. I don't have that many USB hardware, but the ones I have (pen drive, scanner, PlayStation controller adapter and Palm synchronization cable) never presented any issues.



HAHAHAHA!!! Abit!!!!
Jesus

All of the reputable IT online mags I have seen ( Anandtech, Tom's Hardware ) rave about the NForce2 chipsets.
I have had the same experience as rjamorim, I won't buy VIA chipset boards anymore.
My NForce2 Gigabyte rocks. Stable, fast, no sound jitters.
Audigy 2 (for gaming purposes)

I stopped buying Abit a few years ago. I had several models perform well. Then their quality slipped and memory started being finicky as to slot and brand. I am not clear as to the current quality. I stick to Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte now. No problems to report with those.

Edit: added Abit experience.

Information from your bottom link:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....21898&hl=nforce

Athlon 2800+ (Barton)
Asus A7V8XMX-SE (VIA KM400/VIA 8235 CE)
512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
7200 RPM UDMA 6 HD (Boot drive)

Gambit, please note: That is not an NForce2 board. Please note it is VIA.

I agree with that selection, and would add Soyo to the list of reasonable and trustworthy brands.

In my personal hall of shame, I would put Abit, PCchips, Biostar and ASrock.

*Edit: added Biostar

IIRC USB specification allows 500mA per hub, but only 100mA during enumeration process and after that 400mA for the devices, leaving 100mA for USB circuitry itself. So if I understand things correctly, devices connected to one hub shouldn't produce heavier load than 400mA together.
I have 3 USB hubs = 6 USB ports, and 5 devices - DSL modem, scanner, and printer connected all the time, and from time to time I use joypad or camera.
I had to spread these things over the hubs to find a combination on which they work, but there still are problems with Sagem DSL modem which doesn't have its own powering and drains 400mA from the USB port (it was pain in the arse to make it work at all, ATM I can't remember how I finally did make it work, but it still won't enumerate during boot time sometimes), and with Microtek scanner which sometimes disappears from the system. Most problematic is Mustek GSmart mini2 camera which wants 500mA (battery charging) and won't work at all - I have to use it on another, more USB-tolerant VIA or Intel machine.
Other people have problems with external USB drives and stuff. You can take a look at nForcersHQ forum for more info (but beware of posts like "my dog died, must be fault of that nForce2 chipset" - there's a lot of them there too).

To more fully answer the original poster's question, a nForce2 board with onboard graphics will not have SPP+MCP/SPP+MCP-T. It will have IGP+MCP or IGP+MCP-T (IG = integrated graphics).

Personally, I've have trouble with one nForce2 board, a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra. Cheap, yet somehow has big caps, dual-channel RAM, and all that jazz. Paid $15 more for a DFI, and upon flashing to the newest BIOS, it has been flawless (never tried the SW IDE drivers, BTW). Personally, having had minor experience with USB hubs, I'd get a card after I used my included 6 ports , regardless of whether it should technically be needed or not.

I would add bad old DFI to the blacklist. I had a few of them built in in my early days and had nothing but trouble in general. reports of some of my friends seems to indicate it hadn't gotten any better in the meantime.
edit: stability issues that is.

I hate Biostar....I had the worse experience with one of thier motherboards a few years back and to add to it thier tech. suppport was bad also. I bought a Gigabyte motherboard after that and have stuck to the Gigabyte brand.



Well, I got my motherboard in and built the system and everything runs great except my ATI graphics card. For some reason there is a driver problem(never had it before in my old computer) but I'm gonnga tackle that monday.

Thanks,
-Darin

Do you know where in the BIO's I can enable the S.M.A.R.T system for the Hard drives? I looked and can't find it anywhere....

Thanks,
-Darin