Mobo Decision

[cpals]

Alright... I have decided on 3 motherboards to choose between. What would you pick and why?

The Motherboards:
1. Epox 8KTA3
2. Abit KT7A
3. Iwill KK266

The stuff going in it:
384 pc133 Crucial Ram
Sound Blaster Live! Value
32M Annihilator Pro DDR (Geforce DDR)

*Will be using WinXP*

I'm looking at using the ThermalTake Mini Copper Orb listed at NewEgg for $15. Is this a good fan for a 1.2 or 1.3 Athlon?

Thanks people, you're awesome!

 

[Rafael]

The mobos are good. If you are planing to OC go for the Iwill KK266, the best for OCing, ppl had very good results. Very stable, good ocing the Iwill.
The others are good mobos, stables, but ppl didnt have the same results as the Iwill OCing them.
BTW, if I were you I wouldnt go with the SB live, if you can change this change to a Hercules Game Theater XP, or Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. SB live and the KT133A is known for their problem. Ppl had nightmares with this combination, even now that there are fixes, patches, drivers.
If you can avoid it, dont take chances on this risk.
On the heatsink, i dont know about the copper orb, but the others orbs werent the best HSF. There are better HSF, like Tai Sol (CGK764092 not sure about the model number) with the copper bottom, very good HSF. And there are others good too and not expensive as the Tai Sol, if you think the Tai Sol is expensive.

Good luck!

Raf

 

[TheTeacher]

Here, I will decide for you. Go DDR and get an 8K7A or wait for KG7 from abit.
=)

 

[cpals]

Rafael: I already have the SBLive!... I'll see how it works. Also, I don't plan on OCing, but I will look into a better HSF.

Suicidal: I just purchased my ram a little while ago, so I don't really want to change to a DDR board. Thanks for "deciding for me" though.

For future posts: I am staying with pc133 ram and the specs I listed, I currently have.

 

[2336]

Another good HSF for O/Cing would be the Alpha PAL6035. Try here for that. They've got good prices and really quick shipping AND accept PayPal.

 

[greenpoint]

Me too. Confused, uncertain but will uppgrade. I must. I am a video editor and my "old" AMD 400 is too slow for video.
I am not a gamer, except some flight sims, not a hardcore one.
I am NOT an owrclocker, but, who knows...
DDR is on. It's the nearest future. I prefere DDR.
I am hezitating between:

1. ASUS K7M266 very good board, AMD 761 chipset, but no Raid (it's a must for me), expensive.

2. Epox EP-8K7A+ is a nice board, AMD 761 is a plus, but a lot of reviews say: poor, very POOR manual, confusing BIOS setting. Is it true? It IS the main problem, holding me away from this board. Any forums? Any ideas? Any argues FOR this board. (Second choice in my list)
Just the poor and confusing manual makes me very uncertain? You can't even download the existing manual. It makes me look for other mobos. Any ideas, guys?

3. MSI K7T 266 Pro Raid. Very new board, ver 1.0. VIA K266, eny good? BIOS 1.3 okay? Don't care about the USB 2.0. Promise Raid is a plus vs. HighPoint 370. Any issues?
Really speeking this board could be my favourite, until somebody has a serious argue against it...

4. Gigabyte, don't know. Don't know anything about it.

So, mobo owners and gurus out there, give us a kick in the right way.


greenpoint

 

[cpals]

Greenpoint: Not to be rude, but you should have started a seperate thread instead of adding on to mine. Yours is a totally seperate post with different mobos. It just gets confusing.

Thanks.

 

[jkings]

In all honesty I would go with the Asus A7V133. I used the Abit and the KK266 and I like the Asus the best. The Abit is not a good overclocking board in my experience and the IWill board was a real pain to get working properly. Also, it should be mentioned that I used to swear by Abit.

Just food for thought.

 

[cpals]

The Asus huh... Thanks jkings

 

[greenpoint]

Sorry, cpals.
Now it is done, but I'm not paid by any of the mobo manufacturers.

greenpoint

 

[jkings]

Your welcome. At this point, I don't swear by any mobo manufacturer, but I swear that the Asus board is a good one! Best of luck with your new system.

JK