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Epox 8KHA+ or Shuttle AK31 rev3.1?

S

Slickone

Diamond Member
I'm trying to decide between the two. I need one that I can use my PAL 8045, 2 sticks of Crucial PC2100, and XP 1600+ on.

I like where the PSU connector is on the Shuttle, but the AT review said:


<< The other complaint was the inability to set the memory clock to the FSB clock (host clock) - 33MHz which would be perfect if you're going to be overclocking to the 166MHz FSB. Luckily that option isn't too difficult to add in to a later BIOS revision >>


Does the Epox have this option?

Hothardware was able to overclock the Shuttle much higher. But I'm not sure how credible the site is.
Gotapex said the Epox overclocked well.
AT showed the Epox was very slightly faster.

Also minor, but I don't think the Shuttle comes w/ the extra USB bracket.
 
the epox board is awesome. check my sig for my rig stats. it is extremely fast and stable. it has all the overclocking options you will need, including the one you were asking about. the shuttle is also very good for the price. it really depends on what features you want what features you will actually use. epox: all-out performance with features galore at a great price OR shuttle: good performance with useful features for those on a budget. hopefully that helps...pm me if you have any questions. also pm Insane3D, he was one of the first with this board and he is the man to ask all your questions...


t4t3r
 
I was originally choosing between those two exactly, and decided on the Shuttle simply because it's about $20 cheaper. According to the new motherboard article on THG, the Soyo Dragon is good too, so I took a look at that. Based on this, I'd probably either get the Shuttle because it's cheap or the Soyo because it has features. The Soyo is around $40 more than the Epox, but it's got an onboard Ethernet and Promise-Raid controller (along with alot of other goodies. check THG guide if you haven't already).

I'd say the Epox is on the middle-ground that isn't terribly worth it. Just a humble man's opinion, though. 🙂

--Ed
 

I must say that I was looking at these two also...

But I now think I would be better off by getting the Dragon ....

I like the idea of the nic, the 6 channel sound, and it would seem that it overclocks better too.

For the extra cash I would spend, I just wont have to buy a sound card and I got the raid for free....

My 2 cents

~ HardwareAddicted
 
The Soyo is a nice board, but FSB overclocking will not be very successful with it since it is the only KT266A board I know of with a non-adjustable DDR voltage. It is hard locked @ 2.5v and it doesn't allow for much DDR headroom. The Epox goes from 2.5v all the way to 3.2v, and the Shuttle goes from 2.5v to 2.7v IIRC. The Soyo overclocks well with the multiplier only, but for FSB overclocking, the Shuttle or Epox will yield better results. 🙂
 
I think it's a toss-up between the Epox 8KHA+ or Shuttle AK31A. Even if Tom's results are correct, there's only about a 1 = 2% difference in performance between them, and I doubt very much that anyone can detect that in actual use!

IMHO, it boils down to what's more valuable to you, the Epox's additional PCI slot (6), the Shuttle's additional DIMM slot (4), or the $15 you can save by getting the Shuttle!

 
Hardware Addicted said:

<< I must say that I was looking at these two also...
But I now think I would be better off by getting the Dragon ....
I like the idea of the nic, the 6 channel sound, and it would seem that it overclocks better too.
For the extra cash I would spend, I just wont have to buy a sound card and I got the raid for free.... >>

Well, that makes sense only if you really want to do RAID. Otherwise, add about $20-$30 to what you would save by getting a Shuttle or Epox and you could get an Audigy XGamer - resulting in even better sound (plus a cool firewire port)!
 
Shuttle is friggin awesome. Fast and super stable for such a low price is an incredible value that no other board can beat.
 
I looked at both and decided on the Shuttle, didn't feel the $20 etra for the Epox was worth it. It's due to arrive Tues, can't wait. 🙂
Order 1 stick of 256 meg PC2100, CAS 2.5 from Crucial. The 16% Anandtech discount still works, but you have to search for the link. I'll take that back, it's now 15%. The memory prices keep going up and the discounts down.🙁

Crucial 15% Discount

mdcrab
 
Seems quite a few people are having problems with the AK31 and not hardly being able to up the vcore.

Are many people having problems w/ the 8KHA+ (a no post problem?)?

HardOCP's review on the AK31 says theirs had 6-chan sound and built in NIC. Who sells this version?
 


<< HardOCP's review on the AK31 says theirs had 6-chan sound and built in NIC >>

I don't think so - where did you read that on HardOCP? (it clearly states AC97 codec and no mention of a NIC) .😕
 
Sorry, they were talking about the chipset features.

So is a new bios fixing the 8KHA+ no post, reboot, or whatever it is, problem?
 
I was thinking about and EPOX 8hka+ and a PAL 8045 until i went to Alpha's website and found that the heatsink would actually be touching a contact. They say you can either void your warranty dremeling it or just not use it with your board. Go to the alpha website and see what you think.



-Sentouki
 
Well, while the Epox has had its share of problems (what board hasn't?), from what i'm reading, especially over at amdmb.com, the latest BIOS flash seems to solve all known problems. So if you want a reasonably priced mobo that's not likely to surprise you with 'infancy' problems, IMHO the 8KHA+ is the mature one to get (unless you're not into OC'ing, in which case I would go for the Gigabyte GA-7VTXH).
 
Sentouki: I've got the 8KHA+ and the Alpha PAL8045 and I don't know WTF Alpha is talking about on their website. The PAL8045 most definately DOES NOT contact the capacitor to which they refer. It is close, but it does not complicate installation, and operation is a breeze. I suspect some reviewer bent their capacitor toward the socket and then bitched to anyone that would listen.

-DSP
 
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