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ASUS A7V266-E or A7V333?

G

Groucho

Junior Member
OK I was set on buying an MSI K7T266 Pro2 RU motherboard but after getting some bad feedback on this MB and looking at MSI's forum's and all of the problems that are being reported I have been scared away.
Stability is the #1 thing I want from my MB. Having nice features such as USB 2.0 or RAID, etc. are not enough to intice me into buying a MB with possible issues over getting a MB that will be up an running when I need it.

It appears that ASUS has the best reputation in stability from my research so I am now thinking on buying an ASUS A7V266-E MB. It's more then I wanted to spend but it seems to be a pretty good MB.

The questions I have are:
Do you think I would be better off waiting for the ASUS A7V333 MB?

It has USB2.0 and some features like the MSI board I wanted and looks to be out in a couple of weeks. Also

Anyone have any ideal how much of a price difference there will be between these two MB's?

Thanks!

 
Can't comment on price differences, but the newer, latest boards always command a premium (like the A7M266 when I got that). It's always a question of time; 8 months from now the 333 will be passe. I like the specs on the 266-E and the pioneers out there have helped find the bigger bugs, and that should be important if stability matters. You pays your money, you takes your choice. Good luck.
 


<< I'd take the A&V266-E, its solid for me, and there isn't much improvement with the 333. >>



If the price difference isn't that bad, I'd definitely go with the A7V333. Aside from a slight performance increase, it integrates support for the XP's thermal diode, which should prevent burning up your CPU inadvertantly. Also, it has a feature where fan speed can be adjusted depending on temps so the system can stay quiet, and it has a 5/1 FSB/PCI divider, so when the T-bred comes out you can to overclock it without hosing the PCI bus.

It's a bunch of little stuff, but I am waiting for it since I have just a 733 P3 system, and figure I can wait a little longer and get KT333. It shouldn't be more than a week or two before it starts showing up.

Frob
 
the problem is that DDR333 memory isn't mainstream yet, and isn't supposed to work on anything but the SiS chipsets, only certified for them, last I heard. I would avoid it, just because of potential troubles, its so new right now.
 
I thought about upgrading to a KT266A motherboard and DDR RAM until I saw the ClawHammer review at AnandTech's main page. I'm going to keep buying other compontents (have a 40x12x48 Lite On CD-RW on order right now) to upgrade and only upgrade my CPU, RAM, and motherboard when the ClawHammer comes out for retail.
 
10 bucks saying that A7V333 will cost half an arm and two legs.

It's well known that Asus boards cost a bomb when they're first released. 🙂
 


<< It's well known that Asus boards cost a bomb when they're first released. >>

Very true indeed but the market says they can get away with it. ASUS usually comes through with a solid product and terrific stability. I know, there are always exceptions, but they got their rep for a reason. Actually I think it might be 3/4 an arm, 2 legs and one ear. 😉
 
I have been very pleased with Asus motherboards, therefore I have been to cautiuos about other brands. For example, I know of a couple of high end computer resellers that won't put a newer chipset motherboard in their systems UNTIL Asus releases there motherboard, which is usually later than most others.

All that being said, I myself have been looking at the MSI K7T266 Pro2 RU. I have read nothing but good things about it. I would probably be willing to try it even before an Asus mobo, if the price were right! 😉
 
cmaMath,

I was very close to buying the MSI K7T266 Pro2 RU board. I really liked everything about it. Until someone over at Toms forum directed me to MSI's forum on the MSI website. It seems the board works great for a while then it develops a problem where it will randomly reboot and then it will not come back up. I found multiple threads, pages long refering to this problem and it appears MSI isn't doing much about it. That scared me away. I really liked everything I saw about this board and had many people recommend it. I discovered that most of the people that recommended it had not had it over a few months and most of the people with problems had had it for a while. I can't afford to take the chance.
 
I would consider the A7V266-EX over the A7V266-E.

The EX model is a fully revised A7V266-E, with a lot of kinks worked out, and also uses the 8233A South Bridge, which means you avoid the 686B troubles.

If you can get it, you are probably better off going with the A7V333 though.
 
I have never heard of the A7V266-EX board. Can anyone explain the differences or point me to some info on it? Thanks!
 
Groucho,

Thanks for the information. That is why I have been careful. I saw a review of so high-end compuer in Maximum PC magazine a month ago and they just went on and on about how good that MSI mobo was. Based on what you said, I think I will do some more research before picking any MSI mobos up.

Thanks!
 


<< I would consider the A7V266-EX over the A7V266-E.

The EX model is a fully revised A7V266-E, with a lot of kinks worked out, and also uses the 8233A South Bridge, which means you avoid the 686B troubles.

If you can get it, you are probably better off going with the A7V333 though. >>



8233 southbridge has the same problem with a 686B?? Since when?
 
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