I'm about to build a couple systems for a friend who has no interest in overclocking. He wants Intel PIII CPUs (prob. 800 or 866), and wants to spend as little as possible while still getting good stability and performance (he uses standard business apps plus Lotus Notes R. 5, listens to music while working, and surfs a lot using a cable modem).
So far, I've narrowed MB choices to the Asus CUV4X and the Tyan Trinity 400/450. Any thoughts on which is better? From reading the reviews from last year on this site, is seems the Asus' predecessor was topnotch. Does that hold up in the CUV4X? Also, is the integrated video in the CUV4X-V worth anything? The press release-type info on the Asus and Via sites sounds good, and my friend would love not having to spring for a separate graphics card now, but I'd hate to see him bottlenecked by inferior graphics. My choice of a graphics card would be a GF MX-based board, based on cost. Any other recommendations?
Finally, if you recommend the Tyan boards, please differentiate between the 400 and 450. The 450 lacks the Slot 1 the 400 has, but does include the 686 SouthBridge chip, which the 400 lacks.
Right now, my 1st choice changes every time I look at them again. Please help!
Thanks in advance. I realize I'm asking a bunch of questions, some of which are dependent on the answers to others, and many of which are subjective.
So far, I've narrowed MB choices to the Asus CUV4X and the Tyan Trinity 400/450. Any thoughts on which is better? From reading the reviews from last year on this site, is seems the Asus' predecessor was topnotch. Does that hold up in the CUV4X? Also, is the integrated video in the CUV4X-V worth anything? The press release-type info on the Asus and Via sites sounds good, and my friend would love not having to spring for a separate graphics card now, but I'd hate to see him bottlenecked by inferior graphics. My choice of a graphics card would be a GF MX-based board, based on cost. Any other recommendations?
Finally, if you recommend the Tyan boards, please differentiate between the 400 and 450. The 450 lacks the Slot 1 the 400 has, but does include the 686 SouthBridge chip, which the 400 lacks.
Right now, my 1st choice changes every time I look at them again. Please help!
Thanks in advance. I realize I'm asking a bunch of questions, some of which are dependent on the answers to others, and many of which are subjective.
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