Best non-Via chipset DDR Athlon XP board?
- Thread starter CROSSeyed
- Start date
The PCI problems have been patched, and they only affected PCI Raid or IDE controllers. Thus, for 99% of people, there wasn't even an issue. Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued.
<< The PCI problems have been patched, and they only affected PCI Raid or IDE controllers. Thus, for 99% of people, there wasn't even an issue. Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued. >>
Oh lord your funny AZ . Well its really a toss up between the new sis 735 and the rev C. of the ali magic1 chipsets. I got a ecs k7s5a with a amd xp 1800+ and love it and I have a close friend who using the asus a7a266 and after a bios flash is over clock'n like mad with a simlar amd xp 1800. So there are options out there to via. Good Luck
You don't seem to be disputing anything I say, rather laughing at a joke no one told.
The best Socket A board out right now is the Epox 8KHA+; if you need raid, the Abit KR7A-Raid.
The best Socket A board out right now is the Epox 8KHA+; if you need raid, the Abit KR7A-Raid.
Please tell me where to get this wonder-patch. I've used George's (was that his name) PCI latency patch, but I haven't seen anything official. The problem is still quite noticeable for me as I have a RAID 0 array on a PCI controller. As I understood it, the flaw affected the entire PCI bus, not just PCI IDE and RAID cards. Please correct me if I'm wrong, though.
That said, I have a KR7A right now. The first arrived DOA, but the second has been working OK. I was expecting the difference between this and my AMD761 board to be a little more dramatic, but I've been unimpressed with the KR7A (unimpressed, not really unsatisfied). I have had some problems with the board not booting occasionally, but I'm not sure what's causing it, yet. With the botting problem and the PCI latency, I'm thinking of going back to my Epox 8k7a, which never gave me any problems.
So, I really don't know what to recommend to you. I really don't know what to do with my own machine, as VIA and AMD go hand-in-hand and I really hate recommending any VIA board (I've had bad luck in the past as well, if my luck had anything to do with the piss-poor performance of a few of my past VIA boards) and my experience with any of the other AMD chipsets (Ali, SIS) is extremely limited.
Sorry I can't help too much. Had to type that for some reason....
That said, I have a KR7A right now. The first arrived DOA, but the second has been working OK. I was expecting the difference between this and my AMD761 board to be a little more dramatic, but I've been unimpressed with the KR7A (unimpressed, not really unsatisfied). I have had some problems with the board not booting occasionally, but I'm not sure what's causing it, yet. With the botting problem and the PCI latency, I'm thinking of going back to my Epox 8k7a, which never gave me any problems.
So, I really don't know what to recommend to you. I really don't know what to do with my own machine, as VIA and AMD go hand-in-hand and I really hate recommending any VIA board (I've had bad luck in the past as well, if my luck had anything to do with the piss-poor performance of a few of my past VIA boards) and my experience with any of the other AMD chipsets (Ali, SIS) is extremely limited.
Sorry I can't help too much. Had to type that for some reason....
Since you dont want to use the via chipset, just the get the Iwill XP333-R. It uses the
Ali Magik 1 Rev C. Its slightly slower then the KT266A chipset. The board is pretty good
for overclocking too.
Ali Magik 1 Rev C. Its slightly slower then the KT266A chipset. The board is pretty good
for overclocking too.
ooooooooooops athlon4all is toooooooooo quick for me! Can't stand up and have a beer, he has already posted it!
Other than VIA for AMD, I'd go with the Iwill XP333, which also comes in a RAID variation XP333-R; or a mobo based on the upcoming SIS745, if you can't wait for that, there's the SIS735 based Leadtek? which I'm not too familiar with, or ECS k7S5A. The AMD761 chipset is still something to consider too. Almost forgot the nForce, MSI or there's a thread here on the new Gigabyte.
There's a lot of options, personally I like the Ali based Iwill XP333-R, it's not perfect but is quite decent.
There's a lot of options, personally I like the Ali based Iwill XP333-R, it's not perfect but is quite decent.
The problem with the AMD761 in this case is that everyone uses a VIA SB instead of the more expensive AMD766 SB. And if it matters to you (and it probably shouldn't), the 761 is being end-of-lifed. The only solutions using AMDs SBs are the dualies.
I agree with waiting for the SIS745 if that's an option. Not only will it support DDR333, the ECS version (most likely to be the first released) will in all likelihood have more o/c options and be more newbie friendly (aka fewer quirks).
I agree with waiting for the SIS745 if that's an option. Not only will it support DDR333, the ECS version (most likely to be the first released) will in all likelihood have more o/c options and be more newbie friendly (aka fewer quirks).
1. Iwill XP333-R: $109 shipped
2. MSI NForce K7N420: $174 shipped
3. Tyan Tiger MP: $199 shipped
4. ECS K7S5A: $65 shipped
All offer the same performance (within a couple percentage points of each other).
If stability is mission critical for you, I'd get the Tiger MP.
If price is your biggest issue, I'd get the K7S5A.
If you want to overclock, I'd get the XP333-R.
If you want a feature rich and stable board, I'd get the K7N420.
2. MSI NForce K7N420: $174 shipped
3. Tyan Tiger MP: $199 shipped
4. ECS K7S5A: $65 shipped
All offer the same performance (within a couple percentage points of each other).
If stability is mission critical for you, I'd get the Tiger MP.
If price is your biggest issue, I'd get the K7S5A.
If you want to overclock, I'd get the XP333-R.
If you want a feature rich and stable board, I'd get the K7N420.
Yeah I couldn't get the links to work as well...
Go to pricewatch and check them out....Otherwise check out www.newegg.com...they have most of the boards and usually at some of the best prices on the net...
< The PCI problems have been patched, and they only affected PCI Raid or IDE controllers. Thus, for 99% of people, there wasn't even an issue. Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued. >
Kinda makes you wonder who he works for !?!?!
I have also heard that it is more then that...Are you hiding something? I have also heard many still have issues after the so-called patch and that it is not an official via response. Which is par for the course as via still thinks it had nothing to do with the sblive issue or other southbride pci latency issues...
AZ, you make it a it more fun to come on the boards again. Thanks...
Go to pricewatch and check them out....Otherwise check out www.newegg.com...they have most of the boards and usually at some of the best prices on the net...
< The PCI problems have been patched, and they only affected PCI Raid or IDE controllers. Thus, for 99% of people, there wasn't even an issue. Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued. >
Kinda makes you wonder who he works for !?!?!
I have also heard that it is more then that...Are you hiding something? I have also heard many still have issues after the so-called patch and that it is not an official via response. Which is par for the course as via still thinks it had nothing to do with the sblive issue or other southbride pci latency issues...
AZ, you make it a it more fun to come on the boards again. Thanks...
<< Kinda makes you wonder who he works for !?!?! >>
As is clearly stated in my signature, I do not work for VIA, not that I would disqualify doing so in the future (if you must know, I'm a student). I am simply an educated consumer with experience using various chipsets.
<< Are you hiding something? >>
Certainly not hiding the truth, which seems to be what you're implying. This whole issue has been brought to light originally by a third-rate tech site that no one had heard of, so who knows how serious the issue is? If it was so serious, why was this the first time it was recognized? When the experience of one is taken as fact without being researched, we get damaginf rumours with no substance such as Quack3.
An Epox 8KHA+ would outperform any of the boards listed above in all applications, have greater stability and support, yet has a lower end price tag of around $100 shipped from Newegg. You should not let the personal grudges several members of this forum hold against VIA chipsets discourage you from purchasing one, and instead purchasing a chipset from a competitor of VIA's when those chipsets are overpriced and underpowered. With that long sentence out of the way
, I welcome any questions you have about the 8KHA+ as I am using one on my main machine.. Look I not a hugh asus fan but why is everyone missing the ali a7a266 or ecs's ? I know the asus works well *a friend has the asus and it overclocks well with the latest bios* . << I agree with waiting for the SIS745 if that's an option. Not only will it support DDR333, the ECS version (most likely to be the first released) will in all likelihood have more o/c options and be more newbie friendly (aka fewer quirks). >>
0
ECS is mainly an OEM product developer. They are not changing their focus simply due to public opinion of one of their products. The SiS745 board will continue the tradition of havin no OC options and being maninly setup for OEM builders (not newbie friendly).
Danzilla
Platinum Member
- Dec 30, 2000
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Uhhh, what chipset is this with the problem. I was just getting ready to buy a new MB/CPU and I haven't seen anything about a problem with the MBs. (I'm currently thinking about a 1700+/Soyo Dragon+ combo from Fry's). To the system I'll be adding a soundblaster PCI card (I haven't decided which one yet) and an AGP card.
Any links to reviews/articles about the problem(s)?
D.
Any links to reviews/articles about the problem(s)?
D.
I know cross-linking threads isn't kosher, but this issue has been discussed in depth http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=667856 .
Basically, it is an issue that affects 1% or less of users of any VIA chipset, but it is more accurately explained in the link above.
Basically, it is an issue that affects 1% or less of users of any VIA chipset, but it is more accurately explained in the link above.
AZGamer wrote:
"Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued."
I had to read that a couple times and decide whether it was a joke.
VIA quick to react to problems? Yeah, that's why the same issues that plagued MVP3 are still haunting KT266A platforms.
The latest "patch" you speak of -- G. Breeses' Latency Patch -- isn't even authored by VIA. But nice try
"Nonetheless, since VIA is a company quick to react to problems, a patch has already been issued."
I had to read that a couple times and decide whether it was a joke.
VIA quick to react to problems? Yeah, that's why the same issues that plagued MVP3 are still haunting KT266A platforms.
The latest "patch" you speak of -- G. Breeses' Latency Patch -- isn't even authored by VIA. But nice try
AZGamer wrote:
"The SiS745 board will continue the tradition of havin no OC options and being maninly setup for OEM builders (not newbie friendly)."
You on an anti-ECS crusade again? LOL.
The K7S6A features voltage, FSB, and clock multiplier manipulation.
And, unlike with SiS 735, it appears VIA has been unable to coerce top-tier vendors from releasing SiS competition. ABIT already has a SiS 745 floating around, and rumor has it ASUS is in line as well. (Which isn't a major surprise, considering how successful P4S333 has been already. I just hope they keep the price tag lower.)
"The SiS745 board will continue the tradition of havin no OC options and being maninly setup for OEM builders (not newbie friendly)."
You on an anti-ECS crusade again? LOL.
The K7S6A features voltage, FSB, and clock multiplier manipulation.
And, unlike with SiS 735, it appears VIA has been unable to coerce top-tier vendors from releasing SiS competition. ABIT already has a SiS 745 floating around, and rumor has it ASUS is in line as well. (Which isn't a major surprise, considering how successful P4S333 has been already. I just hope they keep the price tag lower.)
Avoid anything made by VIA like the plague. It may work ok for a while, but sooner or later you will confront incompatibility and/or instability issues of one kind or another.
I strongly recommend any motherboard based on the SIS 735 chip. They are affordable, perform very well, and make for rock-solid systems. I like the ECS K7S5A in particular, because of the amazing value you get for your $57 (at Newegg). It's true that if you're into overclocking, it's not the board for you (no CPU muliplier and voltage adjustment). But with CPU performance being as cheap as it is today, thanks to AMD, the motivation for overclocking has pretty much disappeared anyway (anyhow for me).
Overclockers might do well to wait for the ECS K7S6A, which should be out soon, or go for the Leadtek 7350KDA.
I strongly recommend any motherboard based on the SIS 735 chip. They are affordable, perform very well, and make for rock-solid systems. I like the ECS K7S5A in particular, because of the amazing value you get for your $57 (at Newegg). It's true that if you're into overclocking, it's not the board for you (no CPU muliplier and voltage adjustment). But with CPU performance being as cheap as it is today, thanks to AMD, the motivation for overclocking has pretty much disappeared anyway (anyhow for me).
Overclockers might do well to wait for the ECS K7S6A, which should be out soon, or go for the Leadtek 7350KDA.
What would a discussion be without a reply from me to straighten the facts?
<< It may work ok for a while, but sooner or later you will confront incompatibility and/or instability issues of one kind or another. >>
This is simply a campaign of disinformation started by Hendrik. I have built many systems based on VIA chipsets with no issues whatsoever, and have had them running for extended periods of time with no issues. I have a Duron 700 on a FIC AZ11 box built for a customer awhile back, and it's still running 100% stable with updates since the system was built.
<< Avoid anything made by VIA like the plague >>
Because you, a biased individual, says so?
<< I strongly recommend any motherboard based on the SIS 735 chip. They are affordable, perform very well, and make for rock-solid systems >>
Affordable - Yes, you get what you pay for
Perform very well - Not the case, as many individuals on this forum can attest to
Rock solid systems - Possibly, in the rare case you get a good board
<< Overclockers might do well to wait for the ECS K7S6A, which should be out soon, or go for the Leadtek 7350KDA. >>
ECS K7S6A will not be a good overclocker, it will continue in the tradition of ECS making OEM boards.
The Leadtek 7350KDA makes the ECS look like a good board. 'Nuff said.
<< It may work ok for a while, but sooner or later you will confront incompatibility and/or instability issues of one kind or another. >>
This is simply a campaign of disinformation started by Hendrik. I have built many systems based on VIA chipsets with no issues whatsoever, and have had them running for extended periods of time with no issues. I have a Duron 700 on a FIC AZ11 box built for a customer awhile back, and it's still running 100% stable with updates since the system was built.
<< Avoid anything made by VIA like the plague >>
Because you, a biased individual, says so?
<< I strongly recommend any motherboard based on the SIS 735 chip. They are affordable, perform very well, and make for rock-solid systems >>
Affordable - Yes, you get what you pay for
Perform very well - Not the case, as many individuals on this forum can attest to
Rock solid systems - Possibly, in the rare case you get a good board
<< Overclockers might do well to wait for the ECS K7S6A, which should be out soon, or go for the Leadtek 7350KDA. >>
ECS K7S6A will not be a good overclocker, it will continue in the tradition of ECS making OEM boards.
The Leadtek 7350KDA makes the ECS look like a good board. 'Nuff said.
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