Epox 8k5a2+ Motherboard Question

[Modeps]

http://web.epox.com/html/motherboard.asp?product=EP-8K5A2plus&lang=1

What negative effects will I get if I put a Barton 3000+/333fsb into this? I could have sworn the VIA Apollo KT333 Chipset supported a 333FSB.

 

[Zebo]

Negative none. But why would you? Is it free? Buy an Nforce2 MCP-T. Better performance, better sound, better stability better everything.


One thing I'd like to note is KT333 are very poor overclockers... Best I've gotton was 175MHZ bus and have read plenty of other not get so high either... Certainly not 200 like a Ultra 400 nforce2 gets stock.

Edit: and that is strange... must be typo

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Negative none. But why would you? Is it free? Buy an Nforce2 MCP-T. Better performance, better sound, better stability better everything.

The KT333 does support fsb333 doesnt it? I'm getting the Barton because I honestly dont feel like upgrading everything in my system (I've already got the epox 8k5a2+ with an XP1600+ in it) and I'm not too concerned about overclocking... the board has been almost perfect for me currently, I just wish to add a little more speed to it.

 

[WebDude]

I used to have that board, but I upgraded and sold it. Main reason I sold it was it didn't support the Barton processors. Epox's Recommended Processor List ftp://ftp.epox.com/motherboard/support/Manual/cpu-support.pdf still says the board doesn't support the Barton.

 

[Modeps]

That's really not what I wanted to hear. I dont understand why they wouldnt support the Barton when the only real difference is that it's got 512 L2 cache now and I didnt think the motherboard had anything to do with that at all. Of course, I could be wrong.

 

[Modeps]

Just found this:
ftp://ftp.epox.com/motherboard/support/Manual/K7_CPU_approval_list-%20Dec03.pdf

Looks like it DOES support Bartons, but this list says only up to 2800+ not the 3000+

 

[MichaelD]

The KT333 chipset does indeed support PC2700 memory (166MHz FSB) Even though your board may not "officially" support the 3000+ Barton, I say flash the bios to the latest version available on Epox's official webpage...no hacked bioses! And give it a shot.

Trying it out is free. If it does not work, buy an Abit NF7-S.

 

[Modeps]

Curses to all your "just buy something else" suggestions! I'm trying to AVOID that! BLAP!

 

[Modeps]

Oh, and if I buy something new, I'ma have to get something with RAID anyways. I've got 4 HDDs in my machine, plus 2 CD drives. That'll up the price. wrd. I'll just run the 3000 at 2800. it's only a loss of ... well, very little in the wider scheme, just not as much of a boost as I was hoping for.