Motherboard Recommendation Please

Ahmik · Post by **Ahmik** » September 4, 2002, 12:12 am

I only have about $100 to spend on a MB. Been leaning towards AMD 1800 - 2000+ CPU. I could go Intel if I was further educated.

I have 2 sticks of Micron 512MB PC2700 333MHz RAM already (bought it when I was drunk DOH) for $111.00 each with free shipping - I should have waited.

I have been looking at Toms hardware, ClubOverClocker, and a few other places and have ALMOST settled on the KT333 chipset.

Anyone have any great experiences with a board in my price range that they want to recommend?

thanks

EDIT: I can't spell Price Range

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » September 4, 2002, 3:21 am

It's too bad you dont have a few hundred bucks to spend. You could go with the intel pentium 4 westwood. Best chipset you can buy right now...

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » September 4, 2002, 3:34 am

Intel is really good if you got the cash, but bang for the buck you gotta go AMD. Gigabyte makes a bad ass true DDR 333 board with onbaord Lan, USB 2.0, IDE RAID and onboard Sound/NIC in the 100 to 200 range. Soyo makes a good one too but it is way overpriced.

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 4, 2002, 4:21 am

Even though I'm currently using an AMD I would really tell you to go with an Intel 2.26 and a Abit BD7II (also have a RAID version, the BD7II-RAID,) you can pump that up pretty high with just a stock fan if you want to overclock. Alloria runs this setup and has nothing bad to say about it. I've decided to go that route myself for the PC I am building a friend.

http://www.abit-usa.com/pt_main_backa98 ... NAME=BD7II

edit:
if you decide to go the AMD route, MSI boards are the only way to go.

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/deta ... =KT4_Ultra

MSI's last few boards (since the kt2 ultra) have been hands down THE best AMD boards on the market. The KT4 Ultra comes with support for PC3200 (400mhz), which currently only a few boards *offically* support, 8x AGP, USB 2.0 AND Serial ATA, Bluetooth capabilities (nice to have but you'll probably not use it,) UDMA 133/100/66 support. MSI also has a KT4 Ultra-SR verison, which has Serial RAID support, and an KT4 Ultra-FISR board which supports Serial RAID, Gigabit LAN (:D), and Firewire onboard.
To top it all off MSI is usually cheaper than other KTxxx board manufacturers. I've never paid more than 127 (including tax!) for an MSI board, so it should fit your budget.[/url]

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 4, 2002, 4:37 am

Ebumar wrote:It's too bad you dont have a few hundred bucks to spend. You could go with the intel pentium 4 westwood. Best chipset you can buy right now...

thats not a motherboard chipset thats a processor sir

Scotto · Post by **Scotto** » September 4, 2002, 5:15 am

just got a Epox somethingsomethingsomething2+ its nice. AMD XP 1900 processor was like 210 or something from newegg...i need to find a good place other than microcenter or compusa to get stuff locally here in cincinnati.

Get this though, fedex 2 day from california on 5 pound package=$53? My UPS account gives me a rate of $23 same zip code to mine--have to make their money somewhere.

cid · Post by **cid** » September 4, 2002, 6:18 am

Cant go wrong here ---> http://www.pricewatch.com

Ravenwind · Post by **Ravenwind** » September 4, 2002, 11:14 am

If you are looking for a Good Motherboard try a Asus with a P4. This is what I am going to get today.

Rav

Kelfain · Post by **Kelfain** » September 4, 2002, 12:28 pm

/agree Swiiter

I have a Gigabyte 7VRXP in my computer that I got in July and it works great. It is also very highly reviewed and affordably priced. Along with 512 MB of RAM, and Athlon XP 1800 and my GeForce 4 Ti4200, everquest runs without a hitch everywhere except the bazaar, and if I turn the clip plane down the bazaar is smooth as silk too. Here is a link to the specs:
http://us.giga-byte.com/products/7vrxp.htm

Ahmik · Post by **Ahmik** » September 4, 2002, 2:48 pm

thanks all, actually, PriceWatch.com is where I have been getting my prices (and where I found my DDR)

Gigabyte 7VRXP is the MB I have been considering. I just made up my mind.

Intel makes good shit, I just can't afford it - and since I have had outstanding experiences with AMD, I don't feel like I'm loosing out on anything.

Still gonna use my GeForce2 Ti/450 - gonna be real nice to see that 64MB card in a 4X AGP instead of the 1X slot it's in now!11!!!

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 4, 2002, 3:32 pm

http://usa.asus.com/mb/socket478/p4s8x/ ... cation.htm

Best choice, supports both 400 and 533MHZ FSB can a LARGE Variety of Intel chips, pricewatch has it in the 130-150 range. Last but not least it supports EIGHTX AGP, not the standard 4X, so you will be covered to upgrade video cards for a good long while, not to mention the fact that it looks like Intel is running socket 478 up to 4.0GHZ or so.

Asus P4S8X Socket 478 for Intel® Pentium 4 1.4 GHz ~ 2.8+ GHz
SiS® 648 North Bridge SiS® 693 South Bridge
FSB: 533 / 400 MHz
Memory:3 x 184-pin DDR DIMM Sockets
Max. 3GB PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 non-ECC DDR DRAM Memory
Expansion Slots: 1 x AGP 8X 6 x PCI
IDE Ports 2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33

Aarinu · Post by **Aarinu** » September 4, 2002, 4:18 pm

For around a hundred bucks, check out the Asus A7M266. That's what I have and love it. I'm running an Athlon Thunderbird 1.4 that is currently overclocked to 1.6 and don't have any problems with it

Ahmik · Post by **Ahmik** » September 4, 2002, 4:39 pm

Aarinu wrote:For around a hundred bucks, check out the Asus A7M266. That's what I have and love it. I'm running an Athlon Thunderbird 1.4 that is currently overclocked to 1.6 and don't have any problems with it

That is one of the boards that I was looking at initially -- until I found that the KT333 (333MHz) chipset replaced the KT266 (266MHz).

The PC2700 (333MHz) DDR RAM that I already own would be wasted sitting in a 266 MB.

Remember people - Unless one of you is gonna send me some cash, I am stuck with a max $100 buget. I may even have to wait a while for prices to drop even further.

Here is where I have been getting educated... Gigabyte SMOKED that Soyo Dragon POS
VIA KT333 Put To The Test: 18 Motherboards Compared
http://www17.tomshardware.com/mainboard ... index.html

Thanks though...

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 4, 2002, 5:31 pm

Asus boards are pure crap. I'd also check out reviews at hardocp.com ahmik.

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » September 7, 2002, 7:57 am

My personal preference is ABit.

For $100 I think that the ABit KR7A line might work for you. The price should be somewhere arounf $100.

It's what I have now with an AMD XP 1600+.

Non Raid and Raid versions are available. Raid will probably be more than $100 tho.

Jugata · Post by **Jugata** » September 10, 2002, 1:05 pm

I love my asus mobo. Stragi is crap!

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » September 10, 2002, 1:22 pm

My son just bought a GA-7VRX2.0 DDR for $80. Runs very nice with a 1900+ CPU.

http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st ... y0Wh0J0Br1

I've run MSI, Gigabyte and Asus with very good results. No complaints on any of them.

For the $ spent, AMD spanks Intel IMO.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 10, 2002, 1:23 pm

i've had good experience with ABiT myself.

asus also comes highly recommended from some people whose opinions i trust implicitly.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 10, 2002, 1:36 pm

I've had great experiences from both Abit and Asus mobos.

I had an Asus running a P3 600 overclocked to 750 with a standard heat sink for over 2 years. It did eventually die a thermal death, but after taking that kind of abuse for that long, I had no complaints.

I'm currently running Abits in both my PCs. They're both Duron 1.2 GHz, and they run great. I had to flash the BIOS to get them to recognize the 200 MHz FSB, but the upgrade was painless.

Morgrym · Post by **Morgrym** » September 10, 2002, 2:16 pm

Check out http://www.memplus.com they tend to have some great deals on some nice stuff.

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 11, 2002, 10:53 am

terude is crap!
asus is terude!

Heddyl Et Tuce · Post by **Heddyl Et Tuce** » September 11, 2002, 2:02 pm

STFU Stragi about shiznit you know jack shit about.

ASUS is the most rock solid board on the market.
ASUS provides boards that are durable, overclockable, and are compatible with almost everything.

I have built dozens of custom computers over the last few years, ASUS has never failed once. I was even able to flash an old p5 <that I built> with updated bios, change voltage settings, add mobile cpu to desktop system and OC it to 600 mhz, not bad for a old 350mhz system. It still flies! I have built systems with boards highly recommended by anandtech and tom's, boards like the Abit K7A, few years ago they both thought it was the best of the best. That board blew up after a year, no OC' and wasn't under heavy use either. I have had similar experience with MSI. I have not used Giga before though.

ASUS is by FAR a rock solid choice, out of 20ish ASUS systems built over the last 6 years, I would say, 2 or 3 needed new powersupplies, NOT A SINGLE ASUS Board or component has died.

You say they are crap Stragi? How do you support such a claim?

Are you sure you havent been buying AS-IS or some Abit knockoff of Asus? Prolly have a Soni stereo in your car too, eh?

/rant off

I get bent outta shape when idiots spout off about something like this and their experience with a product is most likely limited to what some sites review or opinion is.

I won't build a system without an Asus board nowadays, just doesnt make sense, unless you like to frequent your clients to replace mobos.

Heddyl

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 11, 2002, 2:46 pm

Stay away from this one. Despite the thorough testing, something tells me you might not get great performance:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 2050970860

Deward · Post by **Deward** » September 12, 2002, 11:23 am

I used to be a die hard Asus fan and always bought their boards. My last turned out to be total crap though and they lost me forever. Anyone that ever had to Fuck with that Promise bios crap can understand. I like Gigabyte boards and have used them as well. Gigabyte is a hell of a lot cheaper too.

When I am shopping for a new board, I usually hit Toms Hardware first to see the reviews and then go to mwave.com. They aren't the absolute cheapest but they are fairly close and they have good options on barebones systems that let you choose the motherboard and processor you want.

Also I have been AMD for a long time. I don't want to have to fart around with overpriced Rambus memory and their secret id numbers they hide in the chips.

Deward

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 12, 2002, 11:30 am

i tend to get my stuff from mwave also.

i will back up that recommendation as a place to get parts.

Gutterr · Post by **Gutterr** » September 12, 2002, 5:11 pm

Heddyl must be a Asus Rep and pitching sales here...

Asus "was" rock solid, but the last 4 moachines I build with them were total shit.
Gigabit was my next fav, but they have gone to shit now, my last 2 machines were junk as well also gigabit has a nice power output problems to the AGP slot which was under powered for some Geforce2+ cards.

My new favorite for the moment is Abit, they seemed to have past their "I suk" motherboard problems they used to have. We will see, I ordered an AT7-MAX2 with the KT400 chipset, lets hope for the best.

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 13, 2002, 5:07 am

How the fuck do you know I don't have experience with Asus Heddyl?
"STFU about shiznit you know jack shit about" was it? yeah...

AHHHHH YOU DON'T LIKE THE SAME BRAND THAT I LIVE AND DIE BY YOU MUST BE A FUCKING RETARD!!11

The last Asus board I used for my old p3 fried, I got it replaced and it fried again. Thats pretty rock solid; if your building an E-Machine... That experience alone is enough for me to NEVER buy an Asus product again.

Heddyl Et Tuce · Post by **Heddyl Et Tuce** » September 13, 2002, 6:56 am

So I says,

You say they are crap Stragi? How do you support such a claim?

And Stragi Says,

The last Asus board I used for my old p3 fried, I got it replaced and it fried again.

/cough

Errr um, ok Stragi.

I do love to hear "informed opinions" from people who have such "vast" experience with a specific namebrand.

Rash judgements based upon extremely limited experience - Who the hell can argue with that?

/apologize Stragi

/sarcasm off

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 13, 2002, 8:05 am

Are you blind to what the other people just posted about their negative experiences with Asus boards? Go read around, so many sites have given Asus products ass reviews, it's not just me. No seriously keep going though. Would you goto a Ford dealership, buy a car and have the engine fall out a day later, go back for another, only to have the same thing happen again and continue to buy cars from Ford? Maybe you would, but not me. Be it cars or be it motherboards I expect a certain level of quality in the products I buy, reguardless of what you think or what experiences you have. My Asus experiences have been entirely negative and I will not buy an Asus product again. I'm truely sorry you feel so hostile towards someone with a difference of opinion.

/SIGH
/3-M4CH3N3Z 4 L1F3Z0R!!!11

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 13, 2002, 1:56 pm

I'm using the EPOX EP-4BDA2+. I've had no problems and have a 1.6a Northwood running at 2.4GHz @ 400MHz FSB on it. (samsung 2700 DDR) MSI ti4400 @ 300/550.

Intel > AMD

Gotta love a 800MHz OC. MadOnion 3D2001SE 12,010.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 13, 2002, 2:03 pm

i have been extremely pleased with the durability of intel processors and chipsets. i have a box that has like a 4 year old celeron 533 that still runs at 800.

abit motherboard that has been rock solid for the entire time.

Heddyl Et Tuce · Post by **Heddyl Et Tuce** » September 13, 2002, 3:46 pm

Stragi, I am not being hostile.
I have built 20 or so Asus Systems and not 1 had has a single problem with mobo. I merely heckled the rash judgement you made.

Asus boards are pure crap.
asus is terude!
The last Asus board I used for my old p3 fried, I got it replaced and it fried again. That experience alone is enough for me to NEVER buy an Asus product again.

Simple fact that I have a few Asus systems 6 years old still working flawlessly and that not 1 in 20 or so has had a single problem kinda makes me think that your rash opinion may apply to a single board, not a manufacturer. BTW, I do not work for asus in any way shape or form.
When I find something that works well, I tend to recommend it.

Ford dealership, buy a car and have the engine fall out a day later

This is the type of faulty logic that I am responding to Stragi.

Escort is not equal to a Crown Victoria. Although they have problems with both vehicles, there is a huge difference in the production quality, reliability factors between 4 cyl and V-8, size of vehicle/wt distribution of passengers, manual vs auto, and projected life span of mechanical parts based upon useage.

OC'ed any-mobo = shorter typical lifespan, heat is the enemy.
Environmental effects, heat vs cold, dust, fan locations, coffee spills or whatever.

I am happy with Asus, I have used several different models of their mobos, mbe this problem is limited to the model you chose or some external factors caused this level of failure.

I merely attacked your position based upon my experience with 20ish ASUS mobos and not 1 problem vs your judgement based on 1 mobo model and 1 situation.

I didn't feel that warranted calling ALL ASUS shit.

I had a bad experience with Abit, doesnt make them all bad, but... to each their own.

I have issues with application of generalizations in arguments.
All = All not 1 or 2, this is a widely misused basis of faulty logic and is a huge pet peeve of mine.

/pet peeve off

Heddyl

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » September 13, 2002, 6:56 pm

Heddyl is the Asus Zealot!!!!!

Ahmik · Post by **Ahmik** » September 13, 2002, 11:58 pm

OK Now I am more confused than I was to begin with...

I bought a AMD 1900+ XP for $84 and they were out of stock, so I got a 2000+ for that same $84.

I also bought a CoolerMaster HHC-001 pure copper heat sink (Built for over clocking- but I am NOT going to do that) and a tube of Arctic Silver III (also the thermal paste of over clockers - which I am not going to do).

I already have a pair of 512MB PC2700 DDR stix for a total of 1024MB DDR RAM.

I am using my old GeForce2 Ti/450 64 MB card.

Additionally I have taken my heatsink and CPU and done what is mistakenly refered to in the industry as "Lapping" -- I have 2 perfectly flat and true surfaces to mate to for maximum heat transfer (but I am not over clocking) YES, Lapping your processor voids your warrnety - but at $84 for a CPU who the fuck needs a warranty??

Also, I have taken the heatsink off of my GeForce2 and "lapped" it as well. but I am not over clocking my video card

Here is what fucked me up.... I see that Giga Byte has a board with a VIA KT400 chipset and it has an AGP 8X slot... and there there is an 8X AGP video card out there as well....

Now... do I get the KT333 board for $103 with the RAID and dual BIOS simply because I already have a gig of PC2700 RAM?? or do I spend $94 for the KT400 with 8X AGP and say screw the RAID and dual BIOS and just hope I can afford to upgrade to PC3200 and AGP 8X eventually????? WTF? this ain't my job... I don't know Jack...

GRRRRRRR /scowls at the computer industry

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this is a Single Malt Scotch night again, so if this post make little or no sense at all, well then fuck you and have a shot of Glenlivet with me

EDIT II: Added Overclocking comments in bold print.

VeeshanVault

Motherboard Recommendation Please

Motherboard Recommendation Please

Go Gigabyte