Motherboard upgrade advice

[Cat13]

I am currently running a 1.2 t-bird on an Asus A7V133. I will be upgrading to an XP 1800 or higher and would like to transistion to ddr. I am looking for recommendations for a mb with lan, plenty of slots, decent features and stability. Oh yeah, don't let me forget, I would like to spend as little as possible.

That doesn't mean I need to go cheap, but the less I spend the happier the wife is

Thanks!!

 

[Cat13]

Good Morning

 

[lsman]

since u are using asus before you can always look at their offer for good performance/stable mb.
The question is how much or what features u want and is it going to OC?
The cheapest and very well performance board in my mind are still the ECS K7S5A.
If you are going to look for USB 2.0 or RAID or ATA 133, then its other story.

If u have time, look for the newegg refurg. session, they may have some good mb with good price.

 

[Cat13]

I bought an ECS when outpost had the duron 1 gig combo and like the board. I used that combo for my daughter. She will be getting my 1.2 and my son will get the 1.0 when I upgrade. My kids are 8 and 6 years old, so those will be fine for now. I guess for price that is the best solution.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[ScarFaceL4]

I have been involved in the assembly of 2 systems using the ECS K7S5A . I know of 2 other friends that used it. They all like it, and the price $53 + shipping retail . The only draw back is that the FSB is locked so no overclocking.

 

[CoDerEd]

Originally posted by: ScarFaceL4
I have been involved in the assembly of 2 systems using the ECS K7S5A . I know of 2 other friends that used it. They all like it, and the price $53 + shipping retail . The only draw back is that the FSB is locked so no overclocking.

you can OC K7S5A with the newest BIOS

 

[IceCreamMan]

Originally posted by: CoDerEd

you can OC K7S5A with the newest BIOS

Awesome! I used several of those boards to affordably replace my old K6-2's and I've been delighted with them... now I'm even happier!

 

[ScarFaceL4]

SWEET

 

[Cat13]

Looks like all the responses so far are in favor of the K7S5A. Since I have one already, and have not had any problems, I should probaly just get another. Heck, it's only $50 or so, not like I am losing out, I can alway find a use for another mb

 

[KouklatheCat]

That is good to hear that the ECS board is decent. I had heard that ECS had problems but ya'all seem favorable to it. Im probably gonna get one to build a computer for my son's nurse. Cat13 if you get one let me know how well it does.

Thanks

 

[Cat13]

It's been rock solid with the 1g Duron. Heck, my daughter hasn't got the thing to crash yet

I suppose it will do fine with an XP also. I will let ya know.