So many choices....so little time

[D0wnL0ader]

Im selling my computer to a friend and need to build my own in about a week. I dont know jack sh!t about motherboards. I do know that I want an AMD (at least 1800+) Either Asus or Epox since I heard their the best MB's out there. Im steering toward a combo (CPU & MB) unless its cheaper to buy seperate?

Also I would like it to support DDR Ram, and not be Obsolete in about 4yrs. I also dont want a MB that has onboard sound or video as I will be buying that seperate.

Please tell me which board or combo to get and why. Thanks

This is the case that I am swinging towards Ahanix

 

[Boonesmi]

the via kt333 is probably the best of the current chipsets for the athlon

so i would suggest an epox 8k3a it should meet all your requirements (as for onboard sound almost every new board has it, but its easy to disable so you can use your soundcard)

 

[CoDerEd]

I also dont want a MB that has onboard sound

Only Abit KR7A/KR7A-133 I know that comes with no onboard sound,
those are great mobo too.

 

[powerMarkymark]

<< I also dont want a MB that has onboard sound

Only Abit KR7A/KR7A-133 I know that comes with no onboard sound,
those are great mobo too. >>



THIS man knows what he is talking about.

I have this board and it is simply AWESOME!

I read all the reviews I could find and never looked back.

Good luck!

 

[Boonesmi]

but why get the kr7a when its based on the older kt266a chipset?

i know the kt333 isnt alot faster then the kt266a, but it is a little faster... and the kt333 has everything the older kt266a has plus it has a few extra features (ie. pc2700 support, ata133)

if you want an abit board look at the kx7-333 its basically the kr7a with the newer chipset link

still i dont see any reason to avoid boards with onboard sound, they dont cost any more and you can just disable it and add a nice soundcard

 

[D0wnL0ader]

can anyone tell me what are good websites to buy from. I only know www.newegg.com which doesnt sell motherboard & cpu combos and www.tigerdirect.com which doesnt sell ASUS MBs which im steering toward to.

 

[Boonesmi]

mwave.com is a pretty good site, and i belive they still sell mobo combos

 

[chubbymidget]

From posts that I've read around here there isn't much benefit to getting a combo. Prices aren't reduced that much and most charge for a burnin for putting it together. Which has piece of mind but I like getting sealed boxes when possible so I know its new.

I've never bought from them but newegg seams highly rated around here.

just .02 cents

 

[D0wnL0ader]

is their a website that gives reveiws for all the places that sell computer parts and gives customer reviews.

 

[oldfoof]

My epox 8KHA+ has been doing great! If you want a good solid mb @ a good price . Thats your best bet! (unless your looking for ddr333)

 

[Mem]

<< so i would suggest an epox 8k3a it should meet all your requirements (as for onboard sound almost every new board has it, but its easy to disable so you can use your soundcard) >>




I agree with that, also the Epox 8KHA+ (VIA KT266A) is still a good alternative,it`s been out awhile and has proven to be a rock stable board(speaking from experience since I`m using one).

 

[oldfoof]

the EPOX 8k3a is one great mother-board as well. From the people I have spoken to that have this board their comments have been very positive