Abbit KR7A Series Questions

[Tyml]

Hi Guys,

I'm about to upgrade my mother board, but I'm having some trouble deciding on a particular modle. I've decided that I definatly want either an Abbit KR7A, KR7A-133, or KR7A-RAID. I like the 133 because it offers a little bit more CPU expandability, but otherwise it seems to be exactly like the other two boards. As for the RAID, well, I don't need the RAID features, but I'm really considering it because I've read that it's got incredibly good overclocking capabilities. They all feature VIA's KT266A chipset, which is what I'm really after, but I was hoping some of you could offer me some insightes into the stability of these boards, their overclocking abilities, or perhaps point out some things that I might be forgetting to consider so that I can decide which one is best for me.

BTW, KT266A is the VT8366A North Bridge chip, correct? I noticed that the 133 features an VT8233A South Bridge, but I haven't been able to determine how it's different from the normal VT8233.

 

[dunkster]

I bought the KR7A/RAID when it first came out, when it seemed to be the best combination of a good overclocker with RAID controller. I never intended to run any RAID mode, but wanted the RAID controller simply for the 2 additional IDE ports (4 IDE devices configured as master on independent IDE port, no master/slave configurations).

I run unlocked XP1600+ game-stable at 148MHz FSB. Corsair XM2400 DDRAM runs at 148MHz with all dram timings maxed, including 1T command. My limitation to 148MHz FSB appears to be the XP1600+ cpu (AGKGA stepping unstable at any speed with VCore over 1.8V).

I think all the Abit KR7-series are stable and good overclockers - but I think if I were buying now I'd look closely at Shuttle and Epox equivalents which appear to offer similar performance at lower board prices.

KR7-series boards are great, but perhaps overpriced.

Hope this helps!

Semper Fi!

 

[powerMarkymark]

I bought the KR7A-133 RAID about three months ago, it seemed to be the best (and stable) overclocker with RAID controller. I wanted the RAID controller simply for the 2 additional IDE ports, I run my two 60GB WD HDDs of the Highpoint Raid connectors both are masters. Haven't overcocked yet (haven't felt the need to) but that will come.

Love the board, solid as a rock and one of the most expandable/upgradable with 6 PCI slots and 4 DIMM slots.

Good luck.

 

[billyjak]

I have the KR7A Raid board and love it, running at 149mz right now on my unlocked 1900xp.
I chose the raid becase I run 3 hard drives a CD burner and cd rom and have a Lite on DVD to add also, you don't have to raid to use the raid ports.
I just ordered a KR7A 133 Raid board friday for my buddy and will put it together as soon as it comes in.
I bought mine before the 133 board was out, but mine also supports 133 on the raid controllers so no loss to me.
My board has been rock stable for over 5 months.

 

[adlep]

Good choice!
Got my KR7A-Raid in a refurb section over @ Newegg.com for $79.00 shippped, gotta love it for this price.......

 

[steell]

I like the 133 because it offers a little bit more CPU expandability,

The KR7A and KR7A-133 both run exactly the same cpu's, and I am reasonably sure that they will continue to.

I forgot to add: KR7A/XP1800+/Corsair XMS2700 @ 1733/1.825V/150 FSB/ 43c 100% load running SETI (In a KooLance case)

And it was just a matter of upping the FSB and volts in the bios