Via Chipset or Intel chipset?

[SteelCityFan]

I am looking into replacing my P3 600 Katmai (Slot 1) with a P3 1 Gig... and possibly a new motherboard. Here is what I have been thinking about...

Option A:

Keep my P3V4X, and get a Asus adapter to run the Flip Chip on the P3V4X.
Sell the P3 600 chip here or on some popular online auction.

Option B:

Buy a new Mobo and a new processor, and sell the P3 600 and the P3V4X.


I am leaning towards option B since I see many P3V4X boards going for $80+ on that auction site... which would just about cover the cost of a new mobo.


I am finding it hard to find info comparing the Intel Chipsets to the Via ones. I am leaning towards the CUSL2-C without the audio onboard, but the i815EP chipset specs talk about only being able to use 2 double sided or 3 single sided ram sticks... and I don't really want to go there if this is going to be a problem.

I have also thought about the CUV4X-E.


Any recomendations would be appreciated....and oh, don't turn this into a "You should buy AMD discussion"... haha

 

[kylebisme]

<< and oh, don't turn this into a &quot;You should buy AMD discussion&quot;... haha >>



hey, your the one that broght it up

 

[Einz]

I'd stick with an intel chipset on a p3. a friend had a via something or another and it gave him so many troubles in windows 2000 that he finally gave up and bought a cusl2

 

[SteelCityFan]

I have heard some people having problems, but I have never had any problems with the via P3V4X...

 

[HansXP]

If you're going to use an Intel processor, an Intel chipset is the BEST way to go. The CUSL2-C is a fantastically stable motherboard. The only problem is the RAM limit - it only supports 512 MB. And as you said, you can only use 2 double-sided sticks. It's unfortunate that Intel chose to disable the chipset in this way, but if you can live with those limits, you'll love the CUSL2-C.

 

[SteelCityFan]

I am not totally sure I understand the whole double sided vs single sided limits.

I assume it is referring to there being ram chips on 1 side vs 2 sides of the stick. Are there any double sided 128MB sticks out there, or do they just come on the 256MB sticks?

Could I mix 2 double sided and a single sided? What would happen if I put in 2 double sided 512MB sticks? How about a single 512MB stick?

Can anyone go into a little more detail than what any site I have found does?

Thanks

 

[HansXP]

<< I assume it is referring to there being ram chips on 1 side vs 2 sides of the stick. >>



Exactly.



<< Are there any double sided 128MB sticks out there, or do they just come on the 256MB sticks? >>



There are double sided sticks of every size out there.



<< Could I mix 2 double sided and a single sided? >>



Yep.



<< What would happen if I put in 2 double sided 512MB sticks? >>



It would only recognize the first, since the chipset only supports 512 MB RAM.



<< How about a single 512MB stick? >>



That would work fine.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[heffe734]

VIA is suck...but getting an intel setup costs too much. Most of the newer mobo's for the AMD chipsets are not bad. My epox is running trouble free...even with SB LIVE.

 

[heffe734]

Shoot i just CAREFULLY read your post...since you're sticking with intel anyways...(i'd go AMD)...but yeah...go with intel...you don't have to update those pesky 4 in 1 drivers like every week.

 

[oldfart]

<< I am leaning towards the CUSL2-C >>


You are leaning in the right direction.

 

[Raspewtin]

<< VIA is suck >>



i agree - get intel.

 

[subhuman]

CUSL2 is probably one of my favorite boards of all time (damn the 512meg limitation though!) You might want to wait a week or 3 for the ASUS TUSL2 just so you can have the possibility of getting a Tualatin chip > 1.0ghz

 

[Dually]

Intel, Via is not a good chipset maker as far as I am concerned. Only use Intel, Sis, Ali and AMD chipsets.