Which kt266a to get and help a newbe

[drunkenrage]

WIth the new chipset set out kt266a. I'm going to build a cpu and i want the chipset, but i don't what kind to get. I'm getting a anthlonxp 1800+ for it for your information. I'm asummung the 1800+ comes with a fb 266 mhz. If so i'm getting that one.

What mobo should I get and should i wait till more mobo comes out to see other benchmarks? I' going to spend around $140 tops for the mobo. I'm going to buy a sound card too. I could wait on it to and will mobo prices go up wen more come out?

Also can anyone lead me to link with info about mobo info like raid, led. Like how the MIS board comes with alot more stuff compare to the Shuttle board. When i read it I have no idea what that stuff is. thanks from a newie be building my first cpu

 

[aks93]

wait for new abit

 

[diejex]

AMDWorld has reviews of recent KT266A boards.

Benchmarks on MB's are all that important, unless you are a speed freak. The speed differences are only significant when you talk about different MB chipsets. You have already decided on the KT266A chipset, so all you really need to worry about in your MB choice are the MB features. i.e. #PCI slots, #DIMM slots, onboard features(sound, nic, raid) and BIOS features.

That MSI comes with a ton of crap, but look at the cost. CNR slots are worthless!! AC '97 sound is worthless(especially since you are going to buy a new SC).RAID is good, but i don't believe you know what it is, so again it's worthless to you. Only 3 fan headers, personal dislike. The LED diagnostic system?? I never had to use it, I htink it's more of a gimmic, and personally think its again a waste. The only MSI board i used didn't have any problems(the way it should be) Nothing against MSI, but again, concentrate on the features that YOU need.

If your want a performace minded, no frills board, Abit is going to release a KT266A board pretty soon (KR7A). Personally I am waiting for that one, it's got all the stuff you need and none of the crap you don't, and Abit is good about updating their bioses. Yeah, they have had some incompatibilty in the past, but most MB brands have. Their boards are CONSISTENTLY ranked highest by the seasoned hardware review sites. And i never had a single problem with my previous Abits.

Prices on computer stuff almost never goes UP, it almost always goes down, especially with the arrival of competition.


RAID
I love RAID, but it's not all that practical for everyday home/gaiming use, it's more business oriented.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[JOSEPHLB]

If you want an excellent performing KT266A board, that is available, go for the Shuttle AK31A REV 3.1.
I got this board yesterday, for a whopping $89.00.
6 PCI slots, 4 DIMM slots, plenty of space around the CPU socket for mounting of various heatsink/fans. My SK6 fits with plenty of room to spare.
The latest BIOS released for this board adds AMD XP support.
For the price, this is going to be a top seller for quite a while.

 

[Brainstorm]

JOSEPHLB: What fan are you using on your SK6?

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Sunon 60MM (blue label)

SuperMicro SC760A
Enermax 350 Watt Whisper P.S. (FC)

Shuttle AK31A Rev 3.1 VIA KT266A
Crucial 512 MB PC2100 DDR CL2.5 (Two 256 MB DIMMS @ Host Clk, 2 , 4 , 2T , 6T , 2T , 4 , 1T)
AMD TB 1.4Ghz Athlon @ 1.53Ghz , 1.80 V , Temp: 45.0 C
Elsa Gladiac 920 Geforce 3 (4X AGP Slot)
Fasttrak TX2 PCI RAID 0 W/ Two IBM 60GXP 40GB HDD'S (PCI Slot 6)
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (PCI Slot 4)
Sony 16X/40X DVD (IDE 1)
Sony 16X/10X/40X CDRW (IDE 2)
U.S. Robotics OEM # 2977 PCI 56K Fax/Data Modem (PCI Slot 5)