Which AMD-based mobo can you recommend, and when the heck are the new AMD processors coming out?

[IgoByte]

Hi folks,

I recently asked you for a recommendation for an Intel-based board for my next upgrade, and I'm greatful for all the input.
Right now, I'm looking at a much cheaper upgrade for an every-day computer that handles PVR functions, among other things. It's currently running on an ECS K7S5A, 1.4Ghz Thunderbird, 256MB PC2100 DDR by Crucial, a 30GB 7200RPM Quantum HDD & 80GB 5400RPM Maxtor HDD. I've already bought a WD1200JB as the primary and only HDD for this computer. Now, I'm looking to upgrade the mobo, CPU & RAM.

Here's what I currently have in mind:
- Athlon XP 2000+ OEM - $97.00 shipped @ newegg
- Thermalright SK6 heatsink with 22CFM silent fan
- Right now I'm thinking of just getting another 256MB Crucial dimm in addition to the existing one
- Motherboard?

What I need are your suggestions for a good but yet budget-minded (well, as much as possible) motherboard. I'd like a rock stable board that won't give me any problems. It doesn't need to have overclocking ability [at all], and it doesn't need to have a ton of features. Onboard sound would be a plus, though I would probably just get a white-box Audigy because of the TV-Tuner card alone. On-board RAID, NIC and USB2 would all also be nice, but not essential.

If you have or have had a motherboard that you were particularly happy with, please let me know so I can make an informed decision when buying.

Thanks

 

[MaxDSP]

I'm also in the market for a new AMD motherboard. I was recommended the ABIT KX7-333R $97 by someone else, but Im still reasearching. Epox, Abit, and ASUS are the top mobo manufacturers that are being recommended. Right now, Im trying to decide between going with Abit or going with Epox.

Anybody wanna chime in with some opinions?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Having built several ABIT systems based either on the KR7-133 or the KX7-333 boards, I would not hesitate to recommend the KX7-333 either with or without RAID.
I think it is the best board out there for AMD based equipment. (O.K. EPOX fans, fire your Photon Torpedos - the Shields will hold) The latest XP1600+'s that have been showing up from NewEgg for $ 52 - $ 55 have been performing as well as XP2000+ and XP2100+'s, and startling everyone. The KX7 series will support the Crucial PC2100 as well as the PC2700, and run exceptionally fast, so a second stick of PC2100 DDR 256MB would be just fine. I personally do not like the constraint of having any built in's, as I feel that they limit my choice of how I want to configure my system, and if you do add certain improved equipment items, you have to disable the on-board stuff.
You will probably need more than 22 CFM to cool the CPU, the 36.9 CFM or the 46.9 CFM Panaflo would be a better choice, and quiet enough.

There is a KX7-333 offered in the NewEgg Refurb's that is a steal for $ 62, probably sent back by someone who couldn't figure out how to install it.
Put the ABIT in, set the BIOS to Optimum settings, and you will never have to hassle with it, but if you want to open up the performance, the BIOS features are some of the best out there, you will probably be able to improve system performance by 40% just by tweaking the settings. It will take a little time to tweak, but well worth it.

We come in PEACE - set Phasers to KILL !

 

[Insane3D]

Personally, I think the best AMD motherboard out right now is the Epox 8K5A2+. The KT400 boards are no faster, and really only offer AGP 8X over the faster KT333 boards. The Epox will fully support the newer Athlon's up until the Hammer. Just set up two with a couple of those $50 Newegg 1600+ and both of them are running 1.75ghz @ 166mhz FSB/166mhz memory with no added voltage. Excellent boards...


Edit:


See here for more info on the Epox 8K5A series.

 

[IgoByte]

This is very helpful. Thanks guys.

 

[IgoByte]

The latest XP1600+'s that have been showing up from NewEgg for $ 52 - $ 55 have been performing as well as XP2000+ and XP2100+'s, and startling everyone.

You mean they overclock to ~1.7Ghz?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Like, Yeah - Read the posts on this forum about the GREEN XP1600+ AROIA's. There are almost 50 of them, and the performance is stunning -
even without tampering and unlocking. The Price on the KX7's is right also, and they are outperforming the newer boards at twice the price.

 

[CraigRT]

just based on your requirements I would go with something like an Asus A7V266-E because it has built in C-media audio and it is now going for very low prices because it's a KT266A. i just used one of these boards with a 2100+ and it runs like a champ.. the on-board audio works great and it's very stable. it was only $120 CAD for a mobo that used to be well over $200. there's my recommendation, but there are many more good boards, so it's really hard to say. many people seem to like Asus alot though.

 

[pdo]

why not just keep your currentK7S5A board, get an XP1600+ and run it at 150FSB that would get you 1900+ perfomance for now?

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: .paldo
why not just keep your currentK7S5A board, get an XP1600+ and run it at 150FSB that would get you 1900+ perfomance for now?

I'm considering several options. The K7S5A isn't the greatest of boards but it's not bad.

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: IgoByte

Originally posted by: .paldo
why not just keep your currentK7S5A board, get an XP1600+ and run it at 150FSB that would get you 1900+ perfomance for now?

I'm considering several options. The K7S5A isn't the greatest of boards but it's not bad.

what are the chances? The PC im using right now since my main one got fried is also based on the K7S5A. Its got a 900 MHz Duron and a 256 MB PC133 chip. The reason I dont want the K7S5A to be my main system is because I just need it for web browsing, DVD, MP3's, and recording TV, and also as a backup system in case my primary goes down (which is the case right now). I pretty much dont trust the K7S5A but that distrust is more from the complaints Ive heard rather than my own experience.

 

[vm]

I love my trusty epox board, I would recommend Epox to you. But then again, you can't go wrong with Abit, Asus or Epox...go with the board that fits your needs the best.

epox boards are usually cheaper though.

 

[pdo]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP

Originally posted by: IgoByte

Originally posted by: .paldo
why not just keep your currentK7S5A board, get an XP1600+ and run it at 150FSB that would get you 1900+ perfomance for now?

I'm considering several options. The K7S5A isn't the greatest of boards but it's not bad.

what are the chances? The PC im using right now since my main one got fried is also based on the K7S5A. Its got a 900 MHz Duron and a 256 MB PC133 chip. The reason I dont want the K7S5A to be my main system is because I just need it for web browsing, DVD, MP3's, and recording TV, and also as a backup system in case my primary goes down (which is the case right now). I pretty much dont trust the K7S5A but that distrust is more from the complaints Ive heard rather than my own experience.

I own both an ECS K7S5A and the POS Gigabyte GA-7VRXP. I can run PRIME95 all day long with the K7S5A all day long at 150FSB with my XP1600+@1575MHz but on my GA-7VRXP I get error instantly. The K7S5A eventhough it's been almost a years old it's not a bad board at all so it's staying in my comp for now untill Gigabyte has a BIOS update for the GA-7VRXP.

 

[antmanbee]

It's currently running on an ECS K7S5A, 1.4Ghz Thunderbird,

I do not think you will see a significant speed incease by going to an XP2000 or an OC'ed XP1600.
I would wait a few months for the kt400 and kt333 boards to drop in price as well as the new Xp chips.
Your K7S5A seems to be stable, so it should probably continue to be so.
For a lot less $ you will be able to make a much bigger jump in performance if you wait a little.