I'm trying to decide between these two boards for a computer that I'm helping a freind of mine build. The Soltek seemed to be a popular one here, but I'm leaning more toward the epox:
a) from personal experience - I've got 2 epox boards myself and never had a problem with them
b)because it uses passive cooling on the IGP - I'm trying to keep the system as quiet as possible
c) the epox offers Firewire on board, which the Soltek does not.
That said, I'm planning on getting an XP1700+ and OC'ing it to a 333fsb, and the fact that the Epox IGP is passively cooled while others are not has me a little worried that it may get too hot. Is the fan on the Soltek's IGP going to make much noise? Probably not, especially over a pair of 80mm system fans, but I was just curious. The system will be built using an old Antec SX 630-II case with 1 or 2 80mm fans, and a Fortron-Source 300W PSU with a 120mm fan. The cooler I plan on using for the CPU is a Speeze (SVC GC68) with the stock 80mm fan - either the all-aluminum version or the newer one with a copper core.
One other thing: are either of these boards picky about memory brands? I was going to use Kingston KVR333, because it was the cheapest name-brand stuff available at newegg; my other choices in the same price range are Crucial PC2700 ($39.99) and Corsair Value Select ($38). I think PNY was right in there too.
EDIT: Was doing a little more digging at Newegg, and the Shuttle MN31N looked good too, even though it's an mATX board. Of course, with all the integrated goodies, this shouldn't make much difference.
Any oppinions / suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Nate
a) from personal experience - I've got 2 epox boards myself and never had a problem with them
b)because it uses passive cooling on the IGP - I'm trying to keep the system as quiet as possible
c) the epox offers Firewire on board, which the Soltek does not.
That said, I'm planning on getting an XP1700+ and OC'ing it to a 333fsb, and the fact that the Epox IGP is passively cooled while others are not has me a little worried that it may get too hot. Is the fan on the Soltek's IGP going to make much noise? Probably not, especially over a pair of 80mm system fans, but I was just curious. The system will be built using an old Antec SX 630-II case with 1 or 2 80mm fans, and a Fortron-Source 300W PSU with a 120mm fan. The cooler I plan on using for the CPU is a Speeze (SVC GC68) with the stock 80mm fan - either the all-aluminum version or the newer one with a copper core.
One other thing: are either of these boards picky about memory brands? I was going to use Kingston KVR333, because it was the cheapest name-brand stuff available at newegg; my other choices in the same price range are Crucial PC2700 ($39.99) and Corsair Value Select ($38). I think PNY was right in there too.
EDIT: Was doing a little more digging at Newegg, and the Shuttle MN31N looked good too, even though it's an mATX board. Of course, with all the integrated goodies, this shouldn't make much difference.
Any oppinions / suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Nate
