Need MB advise

[EagleKeeper]

I/we have 2 test drive cards from Ford (via HD) that total $150.

Am planning on building a system that will have a AMD 1600 or 1700 CPU (seems best bang for the buck - no OC being done)

I can get a MB/CPU/Fan combo for $94+ on pricewatch.

NewEgg has refurbs on MB that can save $20+.

Should I grab a NewEgg refurb or get a combo?

Memory I can get via HD with no problem.

Case, drives and other items already exist in my misc bin.

 

[teqwiz]

What MOBO in your combo setup?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: teqwiz
What MOBO in your combo setup?

Have no real preference.

Used Pricewatch to search. There are 4-5 listed below the $100 level.
All have onboard audio & video.
Biostar M7VKQ
PC Chips 810LR
PC Chips 810LM
Via KLE133
Amptron 810XLM

The $100 level has built in Lan.

The unit will not be used for gaming, therefore video is not critical. I have a 16MB vid card that can be used and NICs are free after rebate.

Am trying to get a MB that would be reliable. I have gotten burned by SOYO AT boards.

 

[murphy55d]

epox 8k7a+, $64 on pricewatch.

i had the standard 8k7a and it was extremely stable.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Thanks Matt for the feedback

 

[Blues X]

ECS has some boards with nice features in that same price range. The electronics shop where I work (in a chemistry department at a university) has used a lot of ECS boards with AMD chips, and they've had no problems.

ECS boards aren't good for oc'ing, but I think you mentioned that's not an issue.

I have read some people in the forums having problems with one specific ECS model (k7s5a, I think). But it's a really popular model as well, so go figure.


I'm looking at one ECS board right now b/c I want to upgrade to a P4, but can't afford new memory as well right now. They have some SIS chipset-based mobos that accept pc133 and ddr333, for $60-80.