ABIT IS7 vs. IC7

[sirmixalot]

Any thoughts on which one of the following setups to go with? Prices are from Newegg.

IS7 ($109) + P4 2.8c ($297) = $406
IC7 ($145) + P4 2.6c ($230) + Ethernet ($20) = $395

Is the IC7 really that much of a better board that I should go with the (somewhat) slower processor?

I know, we should all have such difficult decisions.

Thx.

 

[SnowBoarder9455]

I'd go with an IC7, the PAT on the canterwood is an advantage, and you won't see a big differance between a 2.6 and a 2.8 after overclocking.

 

[thatsright]

Originally posted by: sirmixalot
Any thoughts on which one of the following setups to go with? Prices are from Newegg.

IS7 ($109) + P4 2.8c ($297) = $406
IC7 ($145) + P4 2.6c ($230) + Ethernet ($20) = $395

Is the IC7 really that much of a better board that I should go with the (somewhat) slower processor?

I know, we should all have such difficult decisions.

Thx.

Hey SirMixalot: Welcome to the Club.

As for what you want to get, I'd say go with a P4c 2.4. Today its $189 and you can overclock it with some HQ ram to around 3.0Ghz or even 3.2Ghz with the supplied INTEL HSF. Many people have reported success doing this. Check out the ABIT IC7G Thread in the Motherboard Forum.

The IC7 is great as it comes with the PAT feature which is proven to increase memory performance. This is not available on any Springdale motherboard like the IS7. Now if you do get the 2.4c and are comfortable with O'Cing it, you'll save yourself some serious $$, and can then spend that on some performance ram that you will need to Overclock, or just get some nicer components. Or if you were going to get 512MB Total, think about getting, 1GB of RAM. If you have any other more detailed questions, PM me.

But it would also help us here if you could let us know; What you have now. What hardware your going to add on to the new hardware; your budget; what you will be using it for, etc.

Have fun.

 

[cmdrdredd]

the IC7 has less features than the IS7 unless you get the IC7-G. It is a bit faster in the memory department. I don't see why you'd need more memory bandwidth anyway as the CPU is fed all it can use with the i865 boards. I mean when your memory runs the same speed as your FSB that's the absolute best.