I second Biggs recommendation - go with the more stable KT133a MBs. Specifically I recommend the Iwill KK266 or KK266-R. You'll get more milage from them technology wise. Handles the 133/266 FSB and are improved KT133 models.
With the Abit KT7a you will be able to upgrade to the upcoming Palomino CPU. The Asus AV7133 cannot handle the amperage... so says
Its not the voltage, its the amperage article over at overclockers.com.
Iwill KK266 uses the exact same voltage chips as the Abit so it too is in good shape (with a BIOS update) to handle the upcoming Palomino. The Epox 8... will probably also handle the Palomino but uses a different high grade voltage chip.
The Asus AV7133 uses the A0 stepping of the KT133a - which is reported to be having problems with the 133/266 FSB. Abit uses this also as both Abit and Asus bought up the initial (A0 stepping) supply of the KT133A chipsets from via.
Abit is said to be under extreme financial pressure and may not see the end of the business year as the Motherboard industry will probly undergo some consolidation later this year following suit of other sectors in the High tech marketplace. Since Abit has no OEM presence and add to that there reported financial problems, its a good bet that they won't last... meaning no BIOS updatets after they're gone.
I say look at the Iwill KK266 or the KK266-R (raid version). This Raid version uses the AMI controller and will do RAID 0, 1, and 10. Either model uses the better voltage chip, and hence will (with a BIOS update) handle the upcoming Palomino, uses the A1 stepping of the KT133a chipset, has an ISA slot and an onboard audio CHIP, not a lamo software based Codec like the Asus AV7133.
MSI althought reported as stable and a good OC board, may have tech support issues as reported many times in these forums...do a search and see for yourself!
As just a junior member here, I don't have much weight, but CorCentral was asking for buying advice. Don't you think that deserves a more thoughtful response than a 1 word or 2 sentence remark? Are you guys just posting to increase your forum rating/status? You Senior/Platinum forum members should be ashamed for posting such weak paltry remarks - they simply are not advice worthy of basing a buying decision on as CorCentral was asking for!
Flame me if you want, but any thoughtful person will see you guys are resting on your laurles here and not living up to your rating/status!
CorCentral, I hope MY advice is worthy of your reading/time.
