Intel, Asus, or MSI for stability per se?

[Biggs]

Friends,

Assuming eveything else is constant, which motherboard running a processor at stock speeds would exhibit the greatest amount of long-term stability(specifically for the i440BX and i815E/EP/EP-B0 chipsets)? My concern is the component used in the motherboard(i.e. voltage regulators, capacitors, pcb, circuitry, etc.) -- is one company using higher grade parts and specifications than the other two? Is one company's board more thoughroughly tested than the other?

Other factors to consider are the ff.,

1) Intel is known to be very strict with specifications(e.g. 133Mhz is 133Mhz).
2) Asus is known to use higher default voltages thus aiding in overall stability.
3) MSI is known to use higher rated and physically larger capacitors in their boards.


Cheers,
Biggs

 

[MWink]

3) MSI is known to use higher rated and physically larger capacitors in their boards.

What a joke!!! MSI WAS known as the "king of reliability and stability". That lasted about 5 months till all the K7T series boards mysteriously went up in smoke (mine included). Supposedly it was a capacitor problem. I saw at least 2 or 3 boards fail from this problem.

I also had a Gateway system that had a bad MSI board. It was a P3 board. The voltage regulator blew up (zap followed by some smoke). I'm done with MSI. I've seen more MSI boards fail than any others.


As for Asus, I've owned 2 Asus boards and I didn't keep either for more than 2 months. They worked (and I use the term loosely) but both had a TON of little bugs that caused me major problems.

Right now I use Shuttle boards (I never thought I would like them but they are really great). I've built at least 5-10 computer with Shuttle boards and not one has failed (not counting the chipset fans which will fail within 2 weeks).

 

[DanFungus]

I've had my MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU be rock solid for me...I've had it since June, but, I haven't had a problem with it at all...nothing has blown up either

 

[newbiepcuser]

Asus and Intel has been pretty stable for me. I just Gigabyte board, so we will see how it goes there for me.

 

[Markfw]

Intel makes chipsets, but I don't know of any boards (But I don't buy Intel processors lately). Also, I have never owned a MSI board. What I can say, is that over the last 10 years or so ASUS has been constantly "OK", but I agree with the comment that they have "little bugs" or flaws that are irratating (but they are stable!!) I love Abit boards, but I have only bought them for K6 and K7 (AMD) processors. I have yet to have one fail, or have any other annoying problems.

 

[eplebnista]

Intel

 

[Mem]

You will probably get replies from members here saying good and bad things about ALL brands,in the end there`s no perfect board for everyone,there will always be a few bad apples from all brands that slip through,however I`ve had good luck with MSI & Epox boards so far,I must be the owner member here with the original MSI K7T Pro still going strong .

No brand is perfect,use common sense like make a short list of boards in your price range with features you need , & find the ones with good reviews and feedback then pick one,you won`t be far wrong on stability.

 

[Texun]

I've had some experience with the following boards:

ABIT - Rock solid and hasn't skipped a beat in 3+ years
ASUS - Excellent, but only 6 months old so anything can happen.
iWill - Excellent board. Rock solid from the first boot 2 years ago
Intel - Solid but still new
MSI - Great performer but it the BIOS went screwy after a couple of months. Flashed it and it's been solid for about 9 months.

 

[mrman3k]

I think as far as any of the new boards are concerned, any would be a good safe bet. They have come a long way since the 'early days'