I plan to build a new Linux PC using the MSI K9NGSM-V motherboard which I believe to be fully compatible with my Mandriva-2006 Linux & kernel-2.6.23.1. However, I am not 100% sure of my chipset research ability & would appreciate your opinions on this board.

The K9NGSM-V has onboard video,sound & net support with the following specs:

NorthBridge Nvidia GeForce 6100 (aka: Nvidia MCP 61)
SouthBridge Nvidia NForce 405
Audio Realtek ALC 883
Lan Realtek 8201CL

My research of Realtek ALC 883 tells me that this is Intel's High Defination sound delivered by the Nvidia MCP 61 chip & should be supported by kernel module SND-HDA-INTEL.o.

I think the onboard Realtek 8201CL will be supported by kernel module FORCEDETH.o but since I don't have a LAN network I didn't spend too much time trying to verify this.
However, if anyone can confirm that FORCEDETH.o is the correct module I would still appreciate your opinion.

Also, I don't think there are any video problems with the Nvdia GeForce 6100 or Sata 3.0 drive problems with the Nvdia NForce 405, but if I am wrong please let me know.

This will be the 2nd time I am building a Linux box. The 1st time I used an ASUS A8V-MX board which was a real S.O.B but it turned out to be a success thanks to lady luck & good advice from other Linux users. I learned a lot from that experience but still get very confused. So, it is a good thing I know about the LinuxQuestions.Org. Thanks for your support.

I have a box with that MB running Debian Lenny with little problem- I did have an issue with the then current kernel, but I loaded the Sid kernel (which is closer to what you want), and it resolved itself.
It's a great budget board- I think I paid around $90 for a case, power supply and MB from MSI.