K7S5A PRO! $60 at NewEgg $61.50 at Googlegear

[HeroOfPellinor]

K7S5A Pro at Newegg
K7S5A Pro at Googlegear

Only difference is that the one at Googlegear costs $2 more with shipping and comes with a backplate. The "Pro" version has USB 2.0 and is otherwise the same as far as I can tell. I got a pair of these for a couple systems I'm building because, other than some quirky bugs with the older non-pro versions, these are very solid and affordable boards. I'm hoping the pro version has had some of those bugs fixed and not just had some features added.

-- Edit --
Backplate INCLUDED at NewEgg too!

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
K7S5A Pro at Newegg K7S5A Pro at Googlegear Only difference is that the one at Googlegear costs $2 more with shipping and comes with a backplate. The "Pro" version has USB 2.0 and is otherwise the same as far as I can tell. I got a pair of these for a couple systems I'm building because, other than some quirky bugs with the older non-pro versions, these are very solid and affordable boards. I'm hoping the pro version has had some of those bugs fixed and not just had some features added.

Sorry for sounding like a newbie, but what is the point of the backplate? My case has the slots in it for all of the ports, so would I even need the backplate? Or am I not understanding what the backplace actually is for?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
K7S5A Pro at Newegg K7S5A Pro at Googlegear Only difference is that the one at Googlegear costs $2 more with shipping and comes with a backplate. The "Pro" version has USB 2.0 and is otherwise the same as far as I can tell. I got a pair of these for a couple systems I'm building because, other than some quirky bugs with the older non-pro versions, these are very solid and affordable boards. I'm hoping the pro version has had some of those bugs fixed and not just had some features added.

Sorry for sounding like a newbie, but what is the point of the backplate? My case has the slots in it for all of the ports, so would I even need the backplate? Or am I not understanding what the backplace actually is for?

Those slots are actually on a backplate right now. You should see a way to remove the plating around the slots. The reason it's a big deal with the K7S5A Pro is that it doesn't have a common layout, so your current backplate may not work. It's not an extremely unusual layout, but it's different than the current most common layouts. On both sites you should be able to see how the slots are arranged.

Backplates just help keep a little dust (or other harmful debris) out and make the back of the computer look much cleaner.

 

[altonb1]

Okay. Cool!

I think I'll continue to look for mobo combo w/ a retail cpu, and if I come up empty, just buy this board now and wait another few weeks/month on the processor.

EDIT: Hmm...looks like GoogleGear's mobo is on backorder.

 

[MisterE]

I can't believe that the NewEgg retail board doesn't include the backplate. That is a very unusual port arrangement on the back of the K7S5A, and basically no one is going to have a backplate laying around that will fit this.

Product manual lists that all 4 USB ports on the back are USB 2.0, and there are headers for 6 additional USB 1.1 ports. Also mentions in the manual that PCI slot 1 cannot currently be used if the USB 2.0 ports are enabled in the BIOS.

E.

 

[rch4001]

running an early version of the board and satisfied. based on the picture from newegg, I would need the backplate since the vertical sound input setup is not common.

 

[Justus]

The absence of a backplate for this board from Newegg is a GIANT problem in my view.

I recently got an Asus board without a backplate. Since the Asus board had a non-standard arrangement of I/O ports, I had to go looking for one. Couldn't find one anywhere; there's just not much of a market for these things; and certainly not for a non-standard layout. I tried cutting the right pattern in a blank I/O plate, and eventually successed, but it looked like cr@p.

For $2, get one with a backplate.

BTW, I think the ECS board is a great value, and with USB2, it is even better!

 

[blueribb]

Motherboards with a non-standard port layout should always come packed with the backplate.
For them to make a retail boxed board and not supply the backplate is completely wrong.

That's enough of a turn-off that I would rather buy a Biostar M7VIG Pro instead.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

If I made my own I'd use maple wood and after drilling the holes I'd stain it and polyurethane it so it would look like a wood grain trim.

 

[altonb1]

Hmm...what to do, what to do....

Okay, so the K7S5a Pro is backorder at Googlegear, and I need a backplate so the newegg board is out.

Here's my dilemna. I need a new board (and CPU, but not necessarily as a combo) and want support for my PC133 SDRAM (w/ DDR slots for my eventual RAM upgrade), AGP support, and 2 (prefer more) PCI Slots. I have an existing AMR card on my system now, so I want an AMR so I don't have to buy a new modem, OR a board that comes with the AMR/CMR modem installed w/ the board. and of course, I need USB (2.0 is nice, but not a deal-breaker). And...I want to keep it in the $60-$75 range, if possible. Oh...and I'm going with an AMD XP CPU.

Any recommendations?

 

[kennyG]

If you look at Newegg's add it says.. No BlackPlate Included
What the heck is a BlackPlate

 

[dxpaap]

I'm in the same boat, so far here are the choices I've found. All are about the same price and have pros and cons

Biostar M7VIG Pro
K7S5A PRO
ASUS ASROCK K7VT2

I have one more requirement - board support overclocking. Seems you can do it some degree with each board, but I'm still not clear on which one has the most robust (and easyest) ability to OC ?

 

[blueribb]

altonb1,

BioStar M7VIG Pro ($60 delivered from NewEgg) - has everything you want


kennyG,

The "backplate" or "I/O Backplate" is the metal plate that covers the motherboard ports (mouse, keyboard, printer, speaker, etc) and fits in the opening at the back
of your computer case. Most cases come with a "generic" backplate that fits 90% of the motherboards. It's the other 10% that have non-standard port layouts.

 

[corinthos]

Thanks for the post... but too bad Googlegear is OOS... the lack of backplate in the Newegg one (at least in their description) kept me from ordering from them. I'm hoping they made an error...

If you can wait for a few weeks, I would hold out and wait for the L7S7A2... it will have performance close to NFORCE2... and if you get the ECS one, the price should be pretty close to the K7S5A PRO, give or take $10-15...

 

[altonb1]

WTF?!? Newegg now is selling that board for $62.

The ASUS board is for P4 and Celeron, not AMD.

Biostar m7VIG: Has a CNR slot, not AMR. They are not compatible, correct? I don't believe the board comes with the CNR card, so where would I find that card and how much would I pay for it?

I have no set time frame, so I'm gonna research the L7S7A2 a little more.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[corinthos]

HeroOfPellinor,

How did you find out Googlegear was backordered? I just called them and they said that it was in stock. How do you know they come with backplate? I asked the sales department and they were unable to confirm. I am assuming you ordered yours from Googlegear and they came with backplates. Also, their description is confusing... one part says the chip used is SIS745 and another part says SIS735... so which is it? BTW, there are other differences than the addition of USB 2.0... I think it's also supposed to be able to take advantage of the special features of the newer processors which the older board supposedly couldn't do...

BTW, Newegg jacked up the price to $62... still no backplate, according to their description at least.

k7s5a Pro at Newegg
k7s5a Pro at Googlegear

Only difference is that the one at Googlegear costs $2 more with shipping and comes with a backplate. The "Pro" version has USB 2.0 and is otherwise the same as far as I can tell. I got a pair of these for a couple systems I'm building because, other than some quirky bugs with the older non-pro versions, these are very solid and affordable boards. I'm hoping the pro version has had some of those bugs fixed and not just had some features added.

 

[0roo0roo]

maybe the pro fixes the no 2 sticks of sdram at 133mhz problem.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: corinthos
HeroOfPellinor, How did you find out Googlegear was backordered? I just called them and they said that it was in stock. How do you know they come with backplate? I asked the sales department and they were unable to confirm. I am assuming you ordered yours from Googlegear and they came with backplates. Also, their description is confusing... one part says the chip used is SIS745 and another part says SIS735... so which is it? BTW, there are other differences than the addition of USB 2.0... I think it's also supposed to be able to take advantage of the special features of the newer processors which the older board supposedly couldn't do... BTW, Newegg jacked up the price to $62... still no backplate, according to their description at least.

The Googlegear website showed backorder earlier. It does show that it is available now.

However, it deson't specifically say it DOESN't come with the backplate, but I would like confirmation that it has it before I order.

Looked at L7S7A2, and it does not support PC133 SDRAM. 3 slots for DDR, only. I still think I'm looking at the K7S5a Pro board as my choice, but I'm still hoping to find a nice deal that includes a CPU, or find a great deal on a retail CPU to buy.

 

[SpaceHulk]

maybe the pro fixes the no 2 sticks of sdram at 133mhz problem.

I have two of the non-PRO versions running two sticks of SDRAM at 133 and except for the occasional cold boot problem on one they both run flawlessly.

 

[Rushour]

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: corinthos
HeroOfPellinor, How did you find out Googlegear was backordered? I just called them and they said that it was in stock. How do you know they come with backplate? I asked the sales department and they were unable to confirm. I am assuming you ordered yours from Googlegear and they came with backplates. Also, their description is confusing... one part says the chip used is SIS745 and another part says SIS735... so which is it? BTW, there are other differences than the addition of USB 2.0... I think it's also supposed to be able to take advantage of the special features of the newer processors which the older board supposedly couldn't do... BTW, Newegg jacked up the price to $62... still no backplate, according to their description at least.

The Googlegear website showed backorder earlier. It does show that it is available now.

However, it deson't specifically say it DOESN't come with the backplate, but I would like confirmation that it has it before I order.

Looked at L7S7A2, and it does not support PC133 SDRAM. 3 slots for DDR, only. I still think I'm looking at the K7S5a Pro board as my choice, but I'm still hoping to find a nice deal that includes a CPU, or find a great deal on a retail CPU to buy.

Newegg.com has a good customer service & return policy.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I had a K7S5A and it had the "lost CMOS" problem. The SiS735 chipset is apparently very finicky as to what it will tolerate. ECS told me it was due to my PS. A glitchy mobo like the K7S5A just doesn't seem worth the bother.

Everyone seems to forget about the Shuttle AK32A. $62 shipped at Newegg.
I replaced my K7S5A with it and was so pleased, I dumped my P4 Celeron setup for another AK32A and XP1700+.

The AK32A is a basic fullsize ATX mobo with ViA Apollo KT266A chipset. It supports 2 DDR *or* 2 PC100/133.
It's using the old VT8233 southbridge so it only supports ATA100 and USB1.1, but I didn't care about that.
It DOES support FSB 133-166 and everything in between. It goes beyond 166 as well, but I don't know how high.
It supports manual multiplier settings, 5.5X to 12.5X and everything in between.
It supports VCore adjustments +/-0.100V.

Nice board for overclocking, I bought 2 XP1700+'s and both are running happily at 2000+ (1.67GHz) on the AK32A's at 12.5x133.
I run mine with my old PC100 SDRAM running at PC133 and am getting PR2442 performance rating on SiSoft Sandra.

Supposedly there will be an AK32E which will have the VT8235 southbridge for ATA133/USB2.0, but I can't find it anywhere.

 

[krackato]

Little off topic, but I've got the non-pro version of this board. What's the fastest Athlon XP chip that I could use? I've currently got an XP1700+ in there, but lord knows I'd love one of those new xp3000+ Barton chips.

 

[blueribb]

altonb1,

You can get a cheap V.92 PCI Modem for 10 bux or less almost everywhere.
Alot of times they're free after MIR.

What's the big deal ?

 

[blueribb]

I sent an email to NewEgg and got this reply:

Dear Xxxxx Xxxxxxx,

When we initially opened the package and took pictures of it no I/O plate was included. Unless the manufacturer began including them, there won't be a I/O plate included.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please visit our FAQs page at http://www.newegg.com/app/faq.asp or just drop us a line and we'd be happy to assist you. Best regards.

Thank you,
Jimmy ext: 249
*Jimmysong@newegg.com
NewEgg Customer Support
( Tel: 800-390-1119
) Fax: 909-395-8907

 

[yddadnarg]

Not to thread crap and I know there are plenty of people out there who have these boards that are working fine, but I've gone through 3 of the non-pro versions and finally decided to just buy a quality motherboard(I know the odds of getting 3 bad mobos is pretty low, but all the components worked fine on a diff board so I have to assume that was the problem). It usually wasn't just one problem, like the onboard lan would sometimes work and sometimes woudln't. Then I installed a second card and it would still detect the first one and be a pain to try and get it set up on the right one. My scanner wouldn't work through it for extended periods of time(usually scan 2 pictures and then it would quit while on my new computer no problems at al). Sometiems when I turned the computer off it wouldn't turn back on and other times it would just turn off in the middle of running. I wanted to believe this board was a great deal and was persuaded into buying the later rev boards after I purchased my first cause I read about how "all the glitches were fixed" in the newer revs. Obviously this was not the case. I would like to believe that in the pro version they really have fixed all the glitches, but by not including a back plate you can tell these guys are all about price and not quality. These are the $50-60 mobo, not the high quality $50-60 mobo and in my opinion is for the true bargain hunter cause everyone who can afford it should just throw down the extra $15-$20 and buy a higher quality board. I recommend the shuttle someone else mentioned. I replaced one of the K75SA's with a shuttle board using the KT266A chipset and I coudln't believe the difference in stability. Everything about the computer just seemed better. Like I said, I'm just one person and everymobo manufacturer will have their bad boards, but after getting 3 glitchy boards I think I've decided ECS might have a slightly(i.e. much) higher defect rate.