AMD DDR mobo recommendations

[Priit]

I got 1Ghz T-bird processor for free and now wanting upgrade other parts of my system as well. I thought to go for new mobo + DDR RAM. Current avalible choices are:

Abit KG7 -> would be nice to have AMD north bridge, 4 memory slots, lotsa features, relatively cheap
Abit KR7-A -> new, faster chipset, 4 memory slots, little pricey
MSI K7T266 Pro2 -> umm, cheaper than Abit, seems little slower in reviews, too.
Chaintech 7VJDA -> cheap, but I don't trust Chaintech much (maybe I should?)
Aopen AK77 plus -> on-board Promise RAID (but that doesn't seem to funcion as usual ATA-100 controller), as cheap as Chaintech, currently my favorite
Epox EP-8KHA+ -> seems pretty good, nice price also

What would you recommend out of that bunch? I probably won't overclock, stability is more important than little speed gain. Also, would 250W PSU be enough for Athlon 1Ghz + 256-384Mb RAM + 2 HDD's + CD-ROM? Curreny AOpen has serverd me very well so far but I probably have to buy new one...
Thanks for advice!

 

[dabuman]

I personally have the Asus A7N266-E with the nForce chipset, but since you want a really stable computer the Soltek SL-75DRV2 according to Tomshardware.com this was one of the stablest motherboards that they tested in this review here. Tomshardware.com also reviewed 12 other motherboards in that same review, so if you want more of a selection look at those as well. I hope this helps you.

--Jesse--

 

[Mem]

I`ve to vote for the Epox 8KHA+,I would like to say it`s very easy to setup(only one jumper you need to worry about 100/133FSB) and it has excellent stability,I`ve yet to have a problem with this board,I use it for gaming and general use.

As for your 250w question,I would go for a 300w myself but your 250w might be okay since there are some 250w AOpen PSUs approved for 1ghz cpu on the AMD approved PSU list,you should try it and see if it works fine, then you will know.

 

[Priit]

Thanks, guys. Asus A7N266 is out of the question cause I couldn't afford it, it's not avalible where I live and I have doubts about Nvidia chipset (or it's drivers to be exact). Soltek isn't avalible either Yes, my PSU is AMD approved up to 1Ghz so I guess don't hurry with buying new one. I could also get older Epox board with AMD 761 chipset, it's about 30% cheaper than the new one with KT266A. Any thoughts about Aopen and Abit boards ?

 

[microAmp]

Epox 8KHA+

 

[Dabappa]

I like my ECS K7S5A. It's cheap, fast, and has nice features like onboard sound and lan.

The newer K7S6A looks good also.

Take a look at ECSUSA.com

Good Luck,

 

[DrZone]

I'm using the ASUS A7V266-E. Great board with good features.

 

[han888]

vote for abit kr7a

 

[soulm4tter]

another vote for Abit KR7A. i was gettin ready to upgrade, but then RAM started going up so i said fook it.

 

[Danella]

Just a thought,

The way technology keeps advancing, it is quite likely that next year you might like to upgrade your 1 Ghz CPU to maybe an XP1600 or higher, in which case, you want to be sure that:

1) if you replace your power supply, bump it up, maybe even to a 350W.
2) look at the limitations of the motherboard, make sure you leave room for easy upgrading.

You don't want to have an extra $100 to spend next year, and XP's will probably be cheaper then, probably get an XP1800 for the hundred. If you leave headroom, that is all you'll need to do. (make sure you get a CPU cooler for a hotter CPU than you need, and don't glue it on)

I agree with one fellow in the Soltek board, NewEgg has them in stock, and they are an easy setup, and very very stable. I got the SL-75KAV, which is only a KT133, so I am stuck with PC133, wish I had spent a little extra money and left room for more growth.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it won't go without serious thought, and hope you have a nice system when your done.

 

[MCS]

The Abit KG7 is an incredibly fast and stable board, it's easily one of the fastest AMD-761 based boards and has always got top reviews. The KR7A will be a few % faster, is all VIA but should be up there with the KG7 in terms of stability, although I can't say for certain because there have been some discussions of PCI performance problems on all KT266A boards.

 

[Priit]

Does relatively slow PCI performance affects hybrid AMD761/VIA vt82c686b chipsets, too? PCI slots should be connected with north bridge so south bridge shouldn't affect it? Might be a good argument to get KG7 for me if that's true...

 

[MCS]

No, AFAIK the issue does not affect the hyrid AMD/VIA boards, only boards with VIA Northbridges.

 

[Priit]

Thank you, MCS (gave you 10 ). I have helped to install software into server based on Abit KG7-RAID while back and that board left me very good impression then (BTW that box has uptime over a month by now, going strong . Too bad that Abit doesn't use Promise RAID controlles, I like those better than HighPoint ones.

 

[MCS]

Thanks

You can always disable the Highpoint controller and use a seperate PCI controller card. My KG7-R runs 24/7 and has been up for weeks but I usually reboot every few days anyway. Abit have outdone themselves with this board compared to their past efforts.

 

[Priit]

I'll better save $30 and buy a non-RAID version of KG7 than disabling on-board RAID Is it true than you can't use more than 2 memory modules with it unless it's registered DDR RAM?

 

[yazz]

MSI K7T266 PRO2
if you are not looking to overclock (although it does overclock very well) and want some real stability go for the MSI. Sites may say that the ABit and ASUS are better and faster but when you go through hundreds of motherboards like i do one can really start to tell what manufacturer produces the most stable boards. make sure you get a good quality power supply and RAM. once you get past those obstacles then you will have nothing to worry about when installing the OS. random blue screens will be a thing of the past with a MSI board. this makes it easier on me and customers when trouble-shooting windows 2000 problems. it is great to know that your hardware is sound (and saves time) and all you have to do is fix or research a software problem. i have not had one bad MSI board to date and i am getting close to a 1,000 board install base. the asus and abit boards i sold are still haunting me with RMAs.
yazz

 

[MCS]

<< I'll better save $30 and buy a non-RAID version of KG7 than disabling on-board RAID >>



True, I just had KG7-RAID in my mind because that's what I have got



<< Is it true than you can't use more than 2 memory modules with it unless it's registered DDR RAM? >>



I think it's more a case of 4xRegistered is supported 4xUnregistered is unsupported, that is to say don't go crying to Abit if it doesn't work; but it might.

 

[Priit]

Yazz: I haven't seen blue screens for years in my home computer and I don't have any intention to reinstall OS or software only cause of mobo/processor change MSI's mobo might still be nice, thought.

 

[Nack]

I was where you are 2 days ago (well except the proc that I came into free was an XP2000+ from the AMD XPP event on the 7th - going to give the Gigabyte GA-7DX to my nephew). The FedEx guy is bringing my Epox 8kHA+ this morning. We will see if it is as good as everyone says...

Nack

 

[madthumbs]

In total agreement with yazz here. Epox boards seem to have a very high RMA rate. I have the MSI K7t266a Pro ru and am extremely happy with it. I believe it has a better layout than the other kt266a boards, and I haven't had a single blue screen to date for the month that I've had it. Unlike the last Epox board that died, I had to remove the Ultra 66 card to install the OS, but not on the MSI board! I just wonder why Asus costs so much more when MSI seems to do it better! As far as benchmarks go for the same chipsets; It's been found that not all FSB's are exactly what is being reported. Even small differences can affect performance. I'm sure it's safe to raise the FSB on capable mobos by 1MHz to make up for any small performance differences that are probably clock related anyway.

 

[Danella]

Hey, I'm jealous, (even though it is a sin)

I want to know how you guys are getting free CPU's, especially the XP!!!

 

[ucdbiendog]

I had the Epox board with the AMD761 chipset. It really was a great board. The reason i replaced it is cuz i jacked it up while trying to pry off a blue orb. Anyway, its a VERY stable mobo, especially if you put a mirror RAID array in there. The debugging module thats built in is pretty helpful as well. If you dontl ike jumpers though, I'd stay away because there are a lot of them on this board, which i liked in particular, but its all personal preference. My new board is the soyo dragon plus, and its also worth considering. Ive got a very nice OC on it and it is still rock solid. It also comes with A LOT of goodies and software for the price you pay.

 

[Jen]

I have two Epox 8k7a's here both are working as good as the day i got them. I also have a Abit KG7 that i will be putting in for a friends computer hopeing it will be just as good as these Epox boards.



Jen