Replacement motherboard

[chrome13]

I believe my motherboard has died since I get no POST beep and I have removed all components except for the memory and the processor. I have some further testing to do to prove that however I have also begun looking for a new motherboard. Currently I have been running an Abit KG7-RAID with PC2100 memory and a AthlonXP 2400+. I use this system for everyday use and for gaming. Eventually I was looking to have this system be a file server. That said, I am looking for a motherboard with RAID capability that can support my AthlonXP 2400+ and that has possiblity for expansion to faster processors. I am not looking for oc capabilities. Something stable perhaps.

So far I have looked at the AOpen AK77-600 Max and the Asus A7V333.

Does anyone have any suggestions.

thanks

 

[Buz2b]

Although I am a fan of (and currently use) the A7V333, a quick glance at a review site shows the AOpen board with a couple more features and a faster buss.
BTW, on your old system, have you tried a different CPU or tried the CPU in another board?

 

[chrome13]

Thanks I'll keep that in mind.

That is what I am about to do hopefully asap. I have a duron processor that I will try out on that kg7-raid board.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: chrome13
Thanks I'll keep that in mind.

That is what I am about to do hopefully asap. I have a duron processor that I will try out on that kg7-raid board.

I wish you luck in the testing. Please don't think I was not positive on the ASUS board. I love my system and am still a fan of ASUS. I don't think you could go wrong with that MB if it is cheaper than the AOpen. I haven't priced them lately though and their might not be a significant difference. If not, I'd go for the AOpen. If there was a fairly decent difference (like $30+), I'd stick to ASUS. Luck to you.

 

[chrome13]

Thanks. There is a slight price diff. The AOpen board is over $100 while the ASUS is under. I have also noticed the Tyan Trinity KT400 motherboards. Do you or anyone else have any opinions on that board? amdmb.com has a decent review of it.

 

[Mem]

Plenty of boards you can choose from,really boils down to the chipset you want and price,VIA wise I would go with their latest KT600 chipset,anyway the Epox 8KRA2+ is another good choice that has RAID,KT600 roundup .


Epox 8KRA2+ review .

 

[chrome13]

One thing I noticed which is really disappointing is that a lot of the KT600 boards in the roundup do not have the 4 mouting holes. My current HSF requires those and I don't really have the extra cash right now to spend on a new HSF solution. I guess I could go with the stock HSF that came with the AthlonXP since I am not overclocking. I like the AOPen, ASUS and Epox boards so far but the Epox lacks the mounting holes and the ASUS board does not have onboard RAID. Unfortunately the AOpen is also the more expensive board.

 

[Boonesmi]

i really like the asus a7v600... like you said it does have the 4 mounting holes for your hsf... but it also supports raid (it doesnt use a 3rd party controller like some of the other boards, and it only supports sata raid)

 

[chrome13]

Thanks for your help and recommendations. I started to test the systems I have and I am running into some problems. I have started another thread regarding my testing and some questions I have. The thread is called kg7-raid problems and I accidentally posted it in this forum. If you have any suggestions to my problem please let me know.