Recommendation for mobo for 1GHz T-Bird?

[Hork]

I'm looking for a replacement for my MSI K7T Pro 2A that is suffering from the problem listed here and here.

I have a 1GHz T-bird, SB Live! Value, INNO Tornado GeForce 2 MX with 32MB, Netgear NIC, 45GB IBM Deskstar, and a couple of sticks of PC133 SDRAM. I also use FrontX with the USB add-on.

So, I'm looking for a mobo that supports ATA66 or ATA100, PC133, 1GHz T-bird, and that has additional USB connections on the motherboard. I'll sacrifice the ATA100 for a lower price.

Can someone recommend the lowest-priced mobo that goes with this stuff?

Thanks!

Hork

 

[salman327]

ECS K7S5A

 

[jackwhitter]

yeah, i'd recommend the sis 735 chipset.. it will help guard against any via + soundblaster issues. the ecs board salman mentioned uses the sis735 chipset. the ali magik chipset would probably work for you too.

 

[Hork]

Good suggestions! Thanks!

Just out of curiosity, am I paying more for the ECS K7S5A because it has the DDR slots on it? Is there something cheaper that just has the PC133 SDRAM slots, but still has the extra USB header?

 

[optimistic]

$53 for ECS K7SEM @ mwave.com

sis730s
2dimms for pc133
1 agp (4x)
2 pci
1 amr
1 cnr
on board video & sound

This board is stable. Takes generic ram fast. Video is fantastic. And I like the sound.

 

[inCreek]

I bought ECS K7S5A from Outpost.com, but could not get it to POST. I got a replacement MB and took it to the local computer shop to assemble, just to make sure my PSU or other components are not damaging it. It was as also DOA.
Then I returned. There are quite a few other users who have similar problems with this MB. It is supposedly very picky about the PSU. I myself tried with two cases, different video cards and RAM (PC133) sticks.

If you are still interested, I think it is still on sale at outpost.com. My net cost for MB was only $34. Good price for the features but could not get it to work.

 

[zodder]

iWill KK266 is a hell of a board, too. Stable, uses pc133 and it's an overclocking beast.

 

[Athlon4all]

Actually, K7S5A is the cheapest DDR board avialable. I too recommend it, just don't expect to do any overclocking.

 

[ziggyamd008]

Omg no no no forget any SIS chips, They are horrible. The best SDram MObo out there is Abit KT7A. I use KT7A with 850mhz oveclocked to 1050MHZ all the time. The computer runs 24/7. Everything is rock stable. Trust me u cant go wrong with Abit KT7A mobo. If u get that mobo and for some reason u dont like me. U can come over my house and beat me

 

[Insidious]

Another vote for the KT7A from ABit.

note: I am a little confused.... you want the best or you want the cheapest.......

I can't help you with the cheapest....... but I am confident you will be glad you sprung

for a little quality if you so choose.

 

[Athlon4all]

<< Omg no no no forget any SIS chips, >>

What makes you say that? SiS used to be pretty bad, but they're 10 times better now. I know because on my 2 PC's I am usign SiS 630S (Int. Socket 370 P3) and SiS 735 (K7S5A)

 

[Boonesmi]

i agree... i like sis boards (i dont like the ecs k7s5a, but thats cause im not a big ecs fan )

but ive used several boards based on the sis730, and several on the sis735.. the performance of the new sis745 is really starting to lag behind the newest via chipsets, but still the sis chipsets are high quality and good performers

 

[Hork]

Insidious,

I'm looking for the cheapest, which is why I don't care about DDR, and am willing to settle for ATA66 instead of ATA100.

 

[Insidious]

Gotcha

I don't know what the KT7A is priced at nowadays, but ABit is not usually "economically optimized"

 

[salman327]

Mine posted fine. Just don't expect it to be too "feature rich". But it's got everything you need, good price, fairly speedy.

 

[StattlichPassat]

ECS? Anyway...

Stick with MSI- they are definitly one of the best manufacturers in the market. You must have gotten a defected one or something. I would HIGHLY recommend the K7T Turbo in any of its various flavors. It's based off the VIA KT133A which is a really solid, fast, stable chipset for PC133 SDRAM. I assume the new K7T Turbo2 offers the same benefits and more. They can be had for under $80 at NewEgg.com and will accomodate everything you're looking for.

 

[Insidious]

A quick check on pricewatch.com
The ABit KT7A can be had for $80 (+/- $5.00)




<< Stick with MSI- they are definitly one of the best manufacturers >>


Ok, now that is just BUNK!

Microstar cuts every manfacturing, source quality, and material QA corner that it can find.......
They are one of the cheapest mfgrs. (and by cheapest, I do NOT mean least expensive)


Don't underestimate the importance of a solid MoBo in your system. It is the backbone of everything!

 

[Hork]

Glad I didn't ask whether the Mac or PC was better. :-D

Why not something like the FIC AZ-11? It's really cheap ($35 as opposed to $50 for the ECS board).