Which board to get?

[crazychicken]

I really just need a stable system. I don't play games or anything, i just want a nice, middle end system that won't suck. I want to get about an XP1500 chip, i have an ATI All-in-Wonder 128, and a SBLive. So i dont need onboard video or sound. On board lan would be ok, but i have a network card already. So no onboard stuff would be nice, just so it doesn't get in the way. Any suggestions?

I have heard about the
IWill xp333
Shuttle AK311Rev3
ECS K7s5A

are any of those what i am looking for? I want the best board for my needs for the least amount of $$ possible

I look forward to reading your expertise.

David

 

[oldfoof]

EPOX 8KHA+ Great Board! Fast and Stable

 

[Boonesmi]

soyo dragon plus link

it has onboard raid, onboard LAN, and it comes with smartcard reader that brings 2 extra usb ports up front

it also has onboard sound (which you said you dont need, but.... the soyo dragon+ has digital 5.1 suround sound that is better then your sblive)

 

[Stang289]

I like the Iwill XP333. I've built one XP333 for a friend, and just ordered an XP333-R for myself.

 

[DKNG]

Out of the ones you mentioned I would go for the Iwill Xp333. It is really fast and stable. Have you considered the Gigabyte GA-7VTXE. I'm running on this board now. It is really stable and I had no problems at all. Also it is very inexpensive for a board based on the kt266a chipset.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Have you considered the Gigabyte GA-7VTXE. I'm running on this board now. It is really stable and I had no problems at all. Also it is very inexpensive for a board based on the kt266a chipset. >>

I concur with DKNG. Gigabyte boards are probably the most stable boards available, rivaled only by Intel and Asus. While the Gigabyte GA-7DX+ is probably even more stable, it has the VIA 686B south bridge, which is often a no-go with the SB Live!.

 

[LS20]

k7s5a would save you alot of $$$. the lan on there works better than the DLink i have. the thing has been rock solid for me.

plus, it supports both DDR and pc100/133 so you can run the cheaper SDRM temporarily until DDR price drops

 

[arynn]

I would look at the nForce motherboards. They are very stable - I built a system using the MSI board and it has been working fine. The integrated sound is really good and the integrated video is decent - probably better speed wise than your ATI but from what I've heard probably not as good in 2D quality.

There is also another nForce chipset - 415D without the integrated video. That will probably be the best option for you with regard to stability and ease of set up. It should cost significantly less than the other nForce chipset. I don't think it's available right now, but it should be really soon.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< k7s5a would save you alot of $$$. the lan on there works better than the DLink i have. the thing has been rock solid for me.

plus, it supports both DDR and pc100/133 so you can run the cheaper SDRM temporarily until DDR price drops >>

I would avoid the ECS k7s5a, due to reliability issues, which are explained here.

 

[Buz2b]

<< I would avoid the ECS k7s5a, due to reliability issues >>


Uh, correction. Those are not "reliability issues", they are your list of complaints/problems. I'm not saying you didn't have some trouble with your setup, but those are your troubles. I built a total of six with this board with no problems at all.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<<
Uh, correction. Those are not "reliability issues", they are your list of complaints/problems. I'm not saying you didn't have some trouble with your setup, but those are your troubles. I built a total of six with this board with no problems at all. >>

I'm glad that you had no issues. Still, many other competent system builders here have been getting failing ECS mainboards, and I think it merits concern.

 

[ShinSa]

Epox KH87A+ is the best board for under 100 bux. For the price of Soyo, Asus, Abit, you can get 2 Epox boards.


Im going to get one today actually.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Epox KH87A+ is the best board for under 100 bux. For the price of Soyo, Asus, Abit, you can get 2 Epox boards.


Im going to get one today actually. >>

I believe you're thinking of the EPoX EP-8KHA+. The KH87A+ has an AMD760 chipset.

 

[ShinSa]

<<

<< Epox KH87A+ is the best board for under 100 bux. For the price of Soyo, Asus, Abit, you can get 2 Epox boards.


Im going to get one today actually. >>

I believe you're thinking of the EPoX EP-8KHA+. The KH87A+ has an AMD760 chipset. >>



oops sorry

 

[AA0]

If you want a problem free board take any of the following, imo.
Asus, Abit, Iwill, Gigabyte, FIC, DFI, epox.


avoid
ecs, shuttle, msi, chaintech

Thats a general trend of how boards are, out of current boards, I'd lean a little away from Iwill, as there are a few problems with it.

 

[CraigRT]

<< If you want a problem free board take any of the following, imo.
Asus, Abit, Iwill, Gigabyte, FIC, DFI, epox.


avoid
ecs, shuttle, msi, chaintech

Thats a general trend of how boards are, out of current boards, I'd lean a little away from Iwill, as there are a few problems with it. >>



Sorry, you are wrong. read some more.. some right, some not. FIC and DFI suck, even if they are stable, they are slow.. at least with DFI.. don't buy that stuff..
and with the last few... ECS is good if you want something dirt cheap, Shuttle AK35GTR has been getting comments like "best KT266A board available" right now, it is one kick ass board.. and MSI of course is known for their stable reliable boards, I have never been happier with my MSI product, the general consensus is the same around all the other ppl i know with MSI too.., and the IWILL XP333-R is getting rave reviews too.. IWILL is awesome, the first KK266 was known for having the highest FSB overclocks on the planet.. quality, solid built products.

list of to buy:

MSI
Asus
Iwill
Soltek
Shuttle
EPoX
Gigabyte

 

[Athlon4all]

I personally, don't feel like I can recommend K7S5A because of what I've heard, but the other 2 are great. It's really your choice. XP333-R is a incredible overclocker, but it has On-Board RAID and Sound, and AK31A can oc decently as well. Another great board that is no thrills, but stable is EPoX 8KHA+.

 

[rgowen]

I have the Shuttle AK31 Ver 3.1 and have had no issues with stability. Just make sure you have a good PSU and you should be fine.

 

[AA0]

MSI is NOT known for their reliability. Why do you think anand replaced all their MSI server boards? They all failed on them.

ECS is crap, they are cheap, they are not a good board to recommend to someone wanting stability. If you want to take a risk on them, do it. Their boards fail just like MSIs.

Iwill are usually great boards, but the XP333 does have a few issues. It is a very advanced board, and I'd expect it. It isn't unstable though.

FIC and DFI are ultra stable. As you will read from his post, and remember, you are supposed to be looking at his needs, not your own, he wants a stable, non gaming board. Its obvious you don't have experience with them from your post, don't comment on something you don't know.

Shuttle boards are very unstable with MAX DIMMs filled, always are. They have a good quality board, but their stability sucks. They often perform poor too, leaving it a very undesirable board. The only person I've ever seen get their boards stable is to kill memory performance, not an option in my opinion.

Soltek? Have you ever even used their boards before? Since they really aren't even sold in north america, you probably haven't. They have a decent name, but aren't amazing. They are sorta like and average board over there.... MSI without the major premature failing problems.

I have researched and written a 20 page article on the trends of motherboard manufacturers, all the major players. From pre super 7, to now. I've seen a lot of stuff on forums over the years, used a lot of the boards, and built quite a few. I know motherboards....