Lots of RAM... MB suggestions?

[whytcolr]

I currently have a dell V400, and it's getting to the point where I'm wanting something new (and the old one can go to my in-laws who are using a P60). The problem is, I have 512Mb of PC-100 ram in this thing, and I don't feel like running out and buying 512Mb more to put in a new machine. So, what motherboard will support PC-100 RAM (1 256Mb Dimm and 2 128Mb Dimms), and have plenty of room for upgrading (in terms of processor speed)...

 

[Ulysses]

See the final recommendations of the following reviews:

For mobos based on the Intel 440BX chipset for Intel Pentium III and Celeron CPU's:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1250

For mobos based on the Intel 815/815E chipset for Intel Pentium III and Celeron CPU's:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1291

For mobos based on the VIA Apollo Pro 133A chipset for Intel Pentium III and Celeron CPU's:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1284

For mobos based on the VIA Apollo KT133 (not KX133) chipset for AMD Athlon Thunderbird and Duron CPU's:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1284

 

[Howard]

Pretty much all motherboards support PC100 SDRAM, it's just a matter of if the processor runs at 100MHz FSB. Assuming you just want to upgrade your motherboard, I'd suggest you pick an i815e-based board, just so your expansion options won't be limited.

The ASUS CUSL2 seems pretty hot nowadays, but if you don't want to pay that much the ABIT SE6 also seems to be a good board.

 

[whytcolr]

Thank you for the speedy replies... As I haven't built a system in 6-7 years (yep, weren't many choices back then... so it was easy to choose), I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the variables... That being said, I'm a PC support guy by trade (i.e. sys-admin), so mucking about with BIOS settings and loading OSs aren't a big deal.
If I'm not mistaken, an Intel chip with an even number will run properly with 100Mhz RAM (i.e. a coppermine 700 will, but a 733 won't) yes?
What's a decent combo of Mobo and PIII processor for around $500 (that'll run w/ PC-100 RAM)? Overclocking isn't a real issue here, since I'm pretty happy running the chip at whatever the OEM tells me to, but I'd like to be able to drop in an upgraded processor in a year or so...

-John

 

[Smurk]

All cpu with a "B" run @ 133 (733 EB)


----------------------------------
Asus Cusl2
128Mb Cas 3 kingston Ram
Maxtor ATA 100 40,9 GB 7200 RPM
Aopen 40x cdrom
Plextor ide 8x4x32
Soundblaster Platinum
onboard video (will upgrade soon, GF2 or MX or All in W radeon)
3com nic 3c905c-TX
33k3 modem

Who laughs last,
dies too.

 

[Ulysses]

If you're not going to overclock and are going to go with an Intel CPU, then for best performance you want to get one designed for a 133 MHz system bus (FSB) and not for the 100 MHz bus. You can still use your PC100 SDRAM with that kind of CPU, generally speaking, as long as the motherboard supports an asynchronous (i.e., separate) memory bus speed, as do all those chipsets I mentioned above except the 440BX.

Here's some more info on ID'ing Intel CPU's:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=209861

Here are my personal recommendations:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=209865



Edit:

Another good board that is less expensive than the CUSL2 is the MSI/Microstar 815E Pro. See:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1291&p=16

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1291&p=11