Buy KT133A now or DDR board later? Suggestions???

[MrJ]

I am presently using a ABit KT7 mobo and have thought about upgrading to a KT133; however, I don not want to do this if the DDR boards are gonna be out soon and will out perform the 133A boards. Whats your take on this?

 

[Kenmitch]

I think that if it was me, and I just wanted to get the KT133A because it was the latest thing I would wait....I'm sure the DDR boards will outperform KT133A's to what extent??? Only time will tell!!!

 

[KRogers]

If you want/need a board now, then get it now. If not, wait until you do need it, as "it" will have improved. There will always be the next Big Thing coming out Real Soon Now, and that spiffy widget you bought just today is already obsolete. It's the nature of the industry at this time.

 

[MrJ]

So very true my friend and that is the frustrating part for many I am sure. Unfortunately, I have spent over $5,000 on hardware I didn't REALLY need over the past year just to have the best stuff. ARG!! Is there some kinda 12 step program for my sickness??

 

[Dulanic]

I would have held off for KT266 myself, but I fried my A7V so I bought the A7V133. I recommend waiting for KT266 boards.

 

[KRogers]

<< ARG!! Is there some kinda 12 step program for my sickness?? >>



LOL. I feel your pain, MrJ. I could use such a program myself.

 

[Pyro]

Pyro's Patented Three Step program. Now easier than ever.


1) Buy Hardware
2) Send it to Pyro
3) Repeat.


its been scientifically proven that this program will make you stop buying hardware, while also helping out the less fortunate

 

[cbuchach]

I am making the same decision you are, between the 133A and the upcoming Via DDR chipset. I have come to the conclusion that from a price/performance standpoint, the 133A is the way to go. With current processors, the performance gain is from roughly 5-15% depending on application using DDR. This rather small performance increase will come at a cost. The DDR Via boards will be somewhat more expensive, as will DDR memory. SDRAM prices are insanely low (I saw at Crucial ~$96 for CAS2 133 256 MB!!). And, I came to the conclusion that money I would have spent on the more expensive DDR setup components, I will put towards a faster processor, and a RAID array (probably will come out to a bit more, but the performance increase will be more pronounced).

Also, the KT133A is a very mature chipset (really, it is the original Via Athlon chipset with Socket A, and 133 FSB support) and the current crop of boards are rock solid stable with features galore.

That is my take on it anyway.

 

[cbuchach]

Wooh! I neglected to look at your system stats when making my recommendation. Gosh, with that system, the performance gain going to the 133A won't be too much to write home about. I think then in your case, holding out for the KT266 might be the way to go.:Q

As you can see, with my old K6-2, the Athlon will be a huge jump with either chipset.