Choosing a dual-cpu Slot-1 motherboard...

[PCAddict]

I will have a second P3-550 Katmai CPU in my hands in less than a week, so I am looking to purchase a dual-cpu board. I have a SCSI card, so I don't need onboard SCSI. So far, I've narrowed it down to three choices.

Tyan Tiger 133 (S1834)

Tyan Tiger 100 (S1832)

Gigabyte GA-6BXD


Right now, I am leaning towards the Tyan Tiger 133 because it's got ATA/66 support, and 4X AGP. But, if there are issues with the VIA chipset, I'll go with one of the BX-based boards. I'm looking for input to solidify this choice or to scrap it.

Here is the system configuration outside of the motherboard and dual 550 P3's:

384MB Crucial PC100
nVidia Vanta 8MB AGP (only temporary - being replaced with something better)
SB Live
3COM 905TX
USR 56K hardware ISA modem
Adaptec PCI SCSI card
Plextor UltraPlex 40X SCSI
Imation/Plextor 8x2x20 SCSI CDRW
Toshiba SD-M1401 12x/40x SCSI DVD
IBM 13.6 GB 7200 RPM ATA66 HDD
WD 6.4 GB 5400 RPM ATA66 HDD
1GB IBM SCSI 5400 RPM HDD (used as temporary space when burning)


Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[PCAddict]

Anynbody?

<BUMP>

 

[Gunslinger]

I am running the Tiger 100 with dual 500's and have had no problem. I basically use mine as a home server, it does occsional cd burning, music ripping, printing, games server hosting, ect.
Before that I used it as my main machine for gaming, never had a problem.

 

[PCAddict]

Thanks for the response. The Tiger 133 is looking good. Mine will also function as a home server. I am going to share my DSL with my laptop and my other desktop via the dual-cpu machine. It's also going to crack RC-5 24/7 and do CD-burning when needed.

 

[Russ]

PCAddict,

There are some stability and compatibility issues with the S1834. The ata66 and AGP4X are not enough of an incentive to risk the headaches.

The S1832, OTOH, is a grand champion. Solid as a rock. I have seven of them.

Russ, NCNE

 

[PCAddict]

Thank you, Russ.

This has me thinking... I do have a Promise Ultra 66 card that is currently doing nothing except sit in a static bag. Perhaps, I could install it in that system. For some reason it did not want to coexist with my current Abit BH6 board. Perhaps I could get it to &quot;play nice&quot; with the S1832.

As far as the 4X AGP goes, that was a minor consideration. I am running a TNT Vanta in that system now, since it is not used for games outside of a little AOE here and there.

 

[AndyHui]

Have you considered the ASUS P2B-D?

 

[Russ]

Andy,

The ASUS is also a winner, but it is substantially more expensive then the Tyan.

Russ, NCNE

 

[PCAddict]

Yea, the Tyan is probably the ticket. Does the Asus have SCSI?

 

[AndyHui]

SCSI is optional, the model is called the P2B-DS with SCSI on board. The P2B-D does not have SCSI.

 

[PCAddict]

Understood. Regardless, the Asus is $100 more than the Tyan and I cannot see a reason to justify it.

EDIT: Forgot an important word.