HELP me decide on a mobo

[The Mudman]

I know you guys get asked this alot, but man I'm stuck. I'm goin with an xp-1700 or 1800. I've read reviews followed links and did a fair amount of research already. Anandtech and the forums here have helped out tremendously.

My options are the "epox 8kha+" or the "soltek sl-75drv5"

I know the epox has the k266+ chipset and the soltek is using the new k333. I relly don't think that will make that much of a difference. i've used epox before for a socket 7 and and 2nd gen athlon. so I believe in epox and everybody talks highly of it. Soltek is new to me but must of what i've read gave thier past boards good reviews. I guess the biggest flaw i've heard about the soltek was the placement of the ide connectors. But i've also read about the epox and the G4. something about capasitors. but hell I probobly won't get one anyway.

I really need some opinions to help me sway my decision.

I got one the soltek has that funky purple pcb. Does that count??

 

[AkumaBao]

I'd go with the Epox, but that's just my opinion.

 

[oldfoof]

Yes Sir the EPOX 8KHA+ Been one strong Warrior

 

[DravenX]

if you don't need ddr333 step down to the soltek drv4 and save a few bucks

 

[billyzbear]

I've been happy with my Iwill xp333r. You mite want to wait it out for a little longer though since the new AMD's are coming out. There are going to be some faster boards out soon.
Billy

 

[Need4Speed]

I'd go with the Epox...I've built two systems with it and have been very happy with it. Stability is rock solid and it appears to be a well built motherboard. As far as the G4 goes, yeah that was a major blunder on the part of Epox not to follow the ATX specification, but i'd be willing to bet there are many mobo manufacturers who deviate sightly. Epox was just unfortunate to get bitten in the ass by it. However, Visiontek has already released a new revision of the G4 to address the issue with the interference, even though it wasn't there problem...Kudos to Visiontek for taking the initiative. I'm certain that future releases of the 8kha+ will have this problem addressed.

My only complaint is how Epox has chosen to deal with that particular problem...removing the cap from the board BY the ENDUSER is not an acceptable solution to me. But that wouldn't keep me from buying this great mobo.

 

[Mem]

Go Epox 8KHA+,I did & it`s rock stable,don`t worry about the GF4 Ti problem since not on all Epox 8KHA+ boards have the problem, and the ones that do have the problem, still means you can get a GF4 Ti4600 Gainward,MSI or Leadtek on there with no problem(they have been confirmed to fit ok),I too also heard Visiontek were modding their GF4 TI cards so it would fit ok.

 

[The Mudman]

Thanks for the opinions, but i guess i'v created more of a monster. When I wrote my post I never even considered the "Epox 8k3a+" which has the 333 chipset. Now I'm goin with Epox but it's a newer board. Should I be goin on name brand recognition? How does this fall into this equation now.

I need help