Help me pick a good mobo...

[Moltnrok]

I'm building my first computer, and have had my heart set on the MSI Turbo, but it sounds like it may be a bit of an undertaking without the availability of a Duron to access the multipliers. I've already purchased:

Inwin q500 case,
1 Crucial 256Mg pc 133 cas2
I have most of the drives already, and am planning on a 1Ghz or > AMD T-Bird which I plan to overclock.

Can anyone recommend/provide links to a good stable board for this config? Epox? Abit? Asus? Or should I still look at the Turbo? Help--I am so confused

 

[CraigRT]

depends on what you want in a mobo, although most are fairly similar these days.
I'd get the A7V133 for a few reasons, 1 it's easy to setup 2 it's Asus (c'mon that's a good reason) 3 it's got all the features I want, 4 it's hella reliable and stable not to mention fast.(see reason 2) I'm definitely going to arrange some set aside funds and think I am going to be getting this mobo with a T-Bird 900+ sometime next month.

 

[rsboehner]

I've been doing some looking myself at the Epox 8kta3 and the Iwill boards, but I haven't heard nearly as much about them as I have the MSI boards. I love the features that the Iwill KK266 has but I haven't heard anyone talking about them as far as stability and overclocking ability goes. Has anyone ever messed with the KK266 or the 8kta3?

 

[novon]

don't think asus is all that, the a7v was plagued with bugs and stability problems, despite the good version they sent to the reviewers. Just do a search on the forums and see all the people that got screwed with the a7v

 

[Moltnrok]

bump

 

[Superdoopercooper]

All,
Anandtech TODAY did a review of the Iwill KK266. Check it out. Anandtech
Rating of 9.0 is higher than any other 133A board they did, in my memory.
Looks like a winner. IT is $125.99 w/ $5 Fedex Saver at newegg.com

 

[Hmagnet]

There is nothing wrong with the ASUS board, the real problem is operator head space and timing. I know lots of people using the ASUS board and none of them have any complaints. I myself have the Abit KT7 and it's as solid as a rock baby.

Personally I think you will be satisfied with either Abit, ASUS, or Epox.

 

[Moltnrok]

bump

 

[drjefft]

The reviewers agree on the Iwill KK266 as the better mainboard.

See Toms hardware review here

Anand Tech review here

Also a few notes... Unlike the Iwill KK266, the Asus AV7-133 will NOT be able to handle the upcoming Palomino CPU due to voltage/amperage issues of their weaker voltage chips. See overlcockers artilce on this matter here.... the Abit KT7a and Epox 8KTA3 are also up to the job of handeling the Palomino...read the linked article to see what I mean.

The Abit and the Iwill also have an ISA slot. The Iwill has 4 onboard fan headers and an onboard audio CHIP, unlike the lamo Asus software based AC '97 Codec

 

[Moltnrok]

I think I should have included the IWill 266, as an option too. I think it's got some great ideas/features, but how stable is it? It's looking like the Iwill is going to be tough to beat unless there are some stability issues.

Anyone with Iwill 266 experience--How stable is this board?

It's a couple weeks before I buy, but I'm seriously leaning toward MSI Turbo, or Iwill 266

 

[drjefft]

Did your read the Anand Tech review of the Iwill?!? He says it is as stable as the MSI Turbo and the Asus AV7-133. The torture test that Anand puts these MBs through is WAY more torture than most any home user will ever approach.

 

[rsboehner]

My big wonder with the MSI turbo is whether or not it has the sound problems the pro2-a board had. I have the pro2-a board, and I must say that sound thing is a b*tch to live with. Very frustrating when downloading songs on Napster. I can't check to see whether it's the song you were looking for without disconnecting from the internet.

 

[Dulanic]

<< Also a few notes... Unlike the Iwill KK266, the Asus AV7-133 will NOT be able to handle the upcoming Palomino CPU due to voltage/amperage issues of their weaker voltage chips. See overlcockers artilce on this matter here.... the Abit KT7a and Epox 8KTA3 are also up to the job of handeling the Palomino...read the linked article to see what I mean. >>



False, if you want more info on why this is false just check another thread where he repeatedly spewed this crap.

 

[classy]

Don't get the MSI. After all the posts with problems with that board buying one would be risky. The Iwill just seems to take the cake and eat it too. That is the best one I have seen reviewed so far. And I have yet to read a post anywhere where someone who bought one didn't like it.

 

[Rock8713]

I have and Asus A7VPro, a A7V and the A7V133. All outstanding boards. If I were to pick today, I would choose the A7V133.

Lou

 

[airfoil]

My vote is for the Asus A7V 133.

 

[Moltnrok]

an I'm going to bed bump

 

[kw3i]

what is this sound problem you speak of? i have not heard of this one yet, the turbo does not have the same limiting factors the pro2-a had with the vcore settings so you should not worry about that as a factor