ABIT KG-7 RAID or EPOX 8KHAL?

[Valis]

Which one would you buy? Why? Pros and cons? They are both priced the same.

Any problems with the AMD760/761 Chipset vs VIA KT266A?

 

[Valis]

No one that has an opinion?

 

[WT]

Not really an opinion, my purchase was based on price. I found the Abit board for $47, and paired with a 1600+ AMD for $52, it was a no-brainer ! I have heard nothing but good results from both boards, but not the specific Epox board you mention. Here's a FAQ on the Abit KG7 thats worth a look at least:

Pauls' Unofficial KG7 FAQ

Lemme know what you go for, as I am in the process of putting my Abit board in my rig and would like any suggestions if thats what you decide to buy. Either way, GL to ya !!



Added a lazyman link review for the Epox board:

AMDWorld Epox review

The Epox has onboard sound, the Abit RAID. Its a tossup really. I am not using ANY onboard sound, but thats due to my machines use as a gamer rig. It would save you a few $$ if you are not a gamer to go with the Epox.

 

[rogue1979]

The KT266A chipset has slightly more performance. But the AMD 761 chipset is absolutley bullet proof with the best overall compatibility. I have tried the KT266A, KA266, and SiS 745 chipsets, I am back to the good ole' 761. The Abit KG-7 Raid is only $47 at Computer Geeks. There is an easy core voltage mod for this board to round out the awesome overclocking features it already has.

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: rogue1979
But the AMD 761 chipset is absolutley bullet proof with the best overall compatibility. I have tried the KT266A, KA266, and SiS 745 chipsets, I am back to the good ole' 761. The Abit KG-7 Raid is only $47 at Computer Geeks.

Bulletproof? Wow, now that's all I need to hear. I guess I'll be an ABIT KG-7 owner very soon.
I gotta XP that I run at about 1600-1700 Mhz laying on the shelf, as well as an older thunderbird way below 1000Mhz.

Thanks, I appreciate the input guys.

 

[Valis]

47$ USD only? Hmm the KG-7 RAID is about 800:- Sek, about 80-85$ USD.

Can't you send me one? I'll pay VISA.

I tried to find a used one, but I didn't find any. :frown: :-/

 

[ShinSa]

If you do get the ABIT, dont forget to overclock~

Abit's are known for overclockability.

That's an awesome price but I think sometimes newegg has Kr7A for around 50 bux as well. It's really matter of preference.

I've never owned a 760 chipset mobo but Kt266A is reliable as well.

 

[WT]

Valis, check this thread if you go with the Abit. It is updated regularly and it now appears CompGeeks is out of this board. AT must have made it the number #1 seller last week .. hell, I know three friends that bought these for this price after I mentioned how good it was. This thread also lists some of the quirks with this board (such as RAM needing installed from Bank 4 to Bank 1.)



AT KG7 RAID post

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: ShinSa
If you do get the ABIT, dont forget to overclock~

Abit's are known for overclockability.

Well the first ATX mobo I ever bought (the second pc mobo ever by me), was an ABIT BH6, and my
Cel 300A @ 464, which has been runing since Dec 1998. So I do know aout ABIT and O/C.

Here in Sweden, the KR7A is about 30-40% more expensive than the KG-7. Worse is that there
are very few places who carries the KR7A anymore, and that makes it costly, since there are few of
them around, and probably not in the low price shops either I reckon.

I have 3 dimms of 256MB PC2100 Crucial mem laying around too, that I borrowed from a friend of mine.

Can this "no fan rpm / no boot" function be turned off? I got a Dangerden Socket-A maze to cool my
CPU with for this board.

 

[WT]

I'd recommend keeping the no cpu fan/no boot option ON .. what it may do is save an Athlon cpu if something were to happen to the HSF. I usta LAN often enough that I know a loose card can cause a problem, and in the case of the Athlon, it can burn up the cpu in a few seconds if the fan were to come loose. Now I will assume your cooler is one of the types that have no fan ?? Hmmmm .... good question. I don't know if the board depends on a certain rpm from the HSF or if it just detects temperature. Anyone have an answer ? I'm gonna go read my manual, altho I doubt that will offer an answer.

 

[Technonut]

Valis is watercooled, and has no use for the "no fan rpm / no boot" function. Yes, it can be disabled. The function detects the fan RPM, and has nothing to do with temps.

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: WT
Now I will assume your cooler is one of the types that have no fan ??
Hmmmm .... good question.

Indeed it is. It's a water cooling block I have with many gallons of water pumping around the hoses and system.
Keeps even the very overclocked Athlon XP down to 35 degrees Celsius.

But I could hook up the bigger fan I have on my Geforce card to the 3-pin socket, since that fan has a sensor
wire aswell. Nothing in my case is as it was when purchased.

 

[Valis]

Warning Off topic!!!

Originally posted by: Technonut
Valis is watercooled, and has no use for the "no fan rpm / no boot" function.

No I'm not. Except for those hot summer days when I stand under the shower, while cool water runs down all of me.
Since we had the warmest summer for a 100 years this year, I kinda think that is a good idea.
Although I'm mostly made out of water, but I have it bound in.

Yes, it can be disabled. The function detects the fan RPM, and has nothing to do with temps.

Halle-Julia!!! Thank "insert your preferd deity/reference" for that.

 

[Technonut]

No I'm not. Except for those hot summer days when I stand under the shower, while cool water runs down all of me.

Valis, I can live without that picture in my mind...

Unless of course, you happen to be a fine looking Swedish female. (Hope my Wife does not see this) :Q

EDIT:

To keep on topic, If you want to get the maximum performance out of the KG7-R, and push a high FSB with aggressive RAM timings, be sure to check out the Optimum Bios Settings for the Abit KG-7 .

 

[Valis]

Originally posted by: Technonut
Valis Unless of course, you happen to be a fine looking Swedish female. (Hope my Wife does not see this) :Q

Heh! What's your wife's e-mail address?

No, I'm not a tall, blonde and slender Swedish woman. (Umm but a man with the same features)
My girlfriend is a very nice and vivid woman from the sunny Spain, even. So I can say I like them Spanish better.
(I hope no Swedish girls read this)



I have a Maze and a eheim waterpump, and some large 6-8 Gallon watertank that I keep out in the freezing
cold up here in the north to sustain those 35 C on my Athlon XP all through the day. That's why I always look
at the mobos to have those 4 holes around the CPU socket.

On a sidenote I saw last night that a online computer shop here has a few repaired or returned (RMA?) KG-7-RAID
for sale, but only 10$ lower than the other shop has them brand new. So I'm brooding upon this matter. Damn, I
need this mobo fast, so I can play Battlefield 1942 soon.