Which AMD DDR Mobo is the Most TROUBLE-FREE???

[IKnowKungFu]

Hi I am planning on buying a ddr mobo for a athlon 1.4 in the next few days. I really wanted the ECS k7s5a cause its cheap and fast but I've heard about problems with the floppy drive and win2k. also, it seems alot of people on the forum are getting bad boards shipped to them. I am gonna be building my first do-it-yourself computer and I wanted to know what you guys thought was the easiest, compatible with most stuff, and trouble-free motherboard out right now.
After reading all these threads on the ECS and Epox i'm thinking about going with the asus a7m266 or abit kg7 cause i haven't read alot of threads where people complain about having problems with these boards. also, asus and abit have a good track record for making some of the best/most popular boards, so I kinda "trust" buying their stuff. Any recomendations?
Thanx
Rich

 

[Buz2b]

I've built systems with both the ECS board and the A7M266 (my current rig). ECS is the easiest to build but you may have some issues with power with the 1.4 CPU (not everyone has though) and yes, there is that Win2K thing. The A7M266 was not that difficult to build with either. Just the VIA 4in1's and the AGP mini port drivers to load, along with USB filter drivers. As far as stablility and a proven platform, I'd go with the ASUS. Not that the ECS is not stable, but the ASUS has more of a track record and is like a ROCK as far as stability goes. Just my opinion though, based on what I saw and used.

 

[TruculentTucan]

I would recommend the epox 8k7a. Very stable, very good.

PM me if you want to know more.

 

[Buz2b]

<< PM me if you want to know more. >>

Why, is it a secret? I thought the Epox and the problem with the +5v rail was common knowledge. Oops, did I say that?

 

[Wind]

He is lookin for DDR w/ AMD 761 chipset. I reccommend Abit K7G or Asus A7M266. Both is easy setup and good quality mobo.

 

[StudyCase]

I would say the KG7-lite or raid, or MSI, Asus seems too power hungry and is not the best for stable O/Cing because it does suck so much power.

 

[Buz2b]

<< Asus seems too power hungry and is not the best for stable O/Cing because it does suck so much power. >>

Uh, you want to try that again? The ASUS A7M266 is one of the most stable, rock solid platforms out there. It is also the most mature DDR platform. It is NOT an overclocking board and wasn't built to compete in that arena anyway. The fact that you even mention that tells me you don't know much about them. There is no multiplier setting on it. You can do some overclocking with the FSB though. I am running my 1.33 at 1.45 with no problems whatsoever and have been since almost the day I built it. It runs 24/7 except for one or two boots a week. Power Hungry?? Where in the heck did you get that?? This board uses no more and no less than any other board in it's class. Of course, IMO there's not much IN it's CLASS! Hey, I know there might be some boards that are 2-4% faster, all things being equal, but I'll take the quality and stability of my A7M over that small percentage every time! You are certainly welcome to your opinions but try to express them about something you know something about next time.

 

[anandfan]

I'll also throw the DFI AK76-SN, an AMD-761 DDR solution. No frills, but seems to be great for running at the stock speed. Lower cost than many of the other 761 boards.

 

[IKnowKungFu]

so for all u guys with the a7m266, have there been any incompatibility issues when u build your pc? with any specific hardware or specif drivers/software? I'm planning on using the mobo with a 1.4 ghz, a amd-approved ps, 512mb crucial ram, geforce2 gts, ati all-inwonder rage pci, sb live value, 3com nic, adaptec 2930 scsi card, plextor 8/2/20, pioneer 16x dvd, and floppy drive from my old gateway. also, if i'm not gonna overclock, do u think i should just get a retail cpu?

 

[mtgcollector01]

Do not go with retail if possible. Yes, it's got a 3 year warranty, but how the hell would a CPU (assuming on OC) screw up after 30 days anyhow? Then get the CHEAP $12 Coolermaster 6I31 A or something, you'll get like 45C in bios after medium-high load. ANd get ASII

 

[IKnowKungFu]

so never buy a retail cpu even if i'm not gonna overclock? is it a pain to put together the hsf and stuff, gotta use thermal paste or whatever right?
also, i would like to see screenshots of all the pages and settings available in the bios of the mobos that i'm interested in (a7m266, kg7, k7s5a) before i order a board. know any websites where i can check them out?
thanx

 

[FullRoast]

I was going to get an ASUS A7M266 but wanted to be able to change the multiplier. I got an Epox 8K7A instead and have been very pleased. The board is very stable. I don't think the +5v issue is that big a deal. I was using an Enermax PSU and did see the +5v drop from 4.99 to 4.95 when I was running my 1.4 GHz Tbird at 1550. I swapped out the supply with a 425W PC Power and Cooling PSU and the +5v is now rock solid - but the 1.4 GHz Tbird still only does 1550.

 

[CaiNaM]

I've been a long fan of abit since the bx days... but my kt7 raid, while not a great board; it would lock up every now and then (tho not often). always used good psupply and memory (micron/crucial).

anyways was about to get a kg7, but then read many folks having small problems, and a few having big one's. don't know if it ACTUALLY fried someone's gf3, but hey, I didn't want to take the chance I'd have to replace a $300 vid card, so I read alot of reviews and alot of posts in this forum. I even read many posts commenting on how good their tech support was - something that was always lacking with abit.

I chose the epox 8k7a+. I read lotsa good reveiws, and many positive comments on this forum. it was also $50 cheaper to boot, plus free shipping from newegg (so about $70 less than kg7r). I've found it to be a great overclocker and very stable. haven't had a single bluescreen or lockup in 3 weeks. nada. zip. zilch. my raid arrays even came up without a hitch (they both use highpoint controller).

I sure miss my softmenu, but I am so pleased with this one, I will probably give the epox kt266a solution a try.

 

[yourharddrive]

sh!t I'd just go Intel

 

[Buz2b]

<< know any websites where i can check them out? >>

You can download a copy of the manual for the A7M266 here. Not sure about anyplace that has screenshots of it. The manual will have to do, but it is fairly comprehensive.
As far as issues with hardware, there used to be a problem with the SBLive card that has been solved and there might be a problem with a Netgear NIC, but I'm not sure as I don't use that one. The issue with the SBLive I believe was an IRQ problem. I don't know if it pertains to the value card though. Makes no difference though because it no longer is a problem anyway. This is a solid performer that runs and runs. People try to say it is overpriced........I guess that's why sometimes they are so hard to find right? Yeah right. I've actually seen them down in the $155.00 range on Pricewatch. Good Luck!