Mobo Confused?Need inputs to decide...

HawaiianGhost · Post by **HawaiianGhost** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 8:56 pm

Wondering if any one out there Can Help me make a decision(?)...

I am planning to build a new system and with newer designs and technology it's so hard to decide what is best for my needs. All the sites that I've been to were great (didn't care for Bio-star or ECS, that Dragon mobo was interesting but insufficient) which made it even harder to decide. So maybe you guys could give a little bit of input to help me decide. I already have a Full Tower ATX case coming in with an Enermax Pwr Supply 350w or 400w reserved (not sure which will suffice my needs). Most of the hardware are already accounted for. Deciding on G3Ti or G4Ti Nvidia based video card. Let me give you an idea of the apps I normally run:

-Magix Music & Video Maker 6 (to fool around with for Ideas)
-Magix Music Studio 6 (to edit my mixes)
-PCDJ Red running dual sound card config with Sound Blaster Audigy and SBlaster 128PCI (Pwr & Resource Hungry Program, but great!!)
-Window Office Programs for Music filing and Organizing
-I also scan, review, edit, many Mp3's with various media devices
-I am also a med - hardcore gamer especially on internet
-Planning on another hardrive for storing movies

These are just a few of the apps that I run in my spare time with the PC that I have now, which will be going to the wife as soon as I build this new one. But like I said I have most of the Hardware accounted for all I need from you folks if you don't mind, is your inputs on the following "Socket-A" Mobo's to help me decide which is best for my needs:

-ASUS A7V266-E
-MSI KT7266 Pro -RU
-Giga-Byte (it's latest 266 mobo, can't remember the model# --7XVDR? me thinks)
-or any other 266 "A" socket mobo that can run an AMD XP 1800+ that someone may recommend?
or

should I just wait for the 333's to fully launch (anyone knows when?) I know the MSI KT3 is out but I could not find price for it. The site that I tried to inquire about price did not load. And I've heard only great reviews about the ASUS A7V333 but it's not for sale yet (not here in Europe that I know of anyway). Price really isn't an issue here, but it shouldn't be ridiculous either. The Mobo is my main concern here and this is where I am stuck with a decision. Does anyone have any Ideas or suggestions??
_______________________________________________

Delivering Muzic to the WORLD with the power of today'z technology...........
--DJ Flyin' Hawaiian:2cool:

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 9:54 pm

ummm wheres the epox?

syncmaster · Post by **syncmaster** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 9:54 pm

Were is the INTEL options ?

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 9:56 pm

Originally posted by syncmaster
Were is the INTEL options ?

intel socket a athitanium 3.5

syncmaster · Post by **syncmaster** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 10:03 pm

Originally posted by YARDofSTUF
intel socket a athitanium 3.5

What ever

!!

m4a2t0t · Post by **m4a2t0t** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 10:12 pm

i wouldnt waste my money on the kt333,wait for the CE or kt400.

right now id get the epox 8kha

HawaiianGhost · Post by **HawaiianGhost** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 10:31 pm

Sorry guys, I'm not too familiar with these other Mobo's (Epox, Intel, etc.) But will check them out on-line, Thanks a lot. You see I've had my current system for about a year and it's all I know until just recently when I started looking up other Companies and designs. I don't buy much online and all the local shops are small and limited here in Europe to what I had previously mentioned. Thanks for the input and keep 'em comin' cuz my options are open to suggestions.

*Also, if you are reccommending a Mobo for my specified needs please suggest good site for "specs" or provide a little info on Mobo. And I am looking for a Mobo with a minimum of 5 PCI slots. Thanx again ppl.

_____________________________________________
Learning Technology of the Millennium with about a Day or so...

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Feb 23, 2002 10:51 pm

USA? http://www.neweg.com baby, great site

epox 8kha+

agp 1x 2x 4x

6 pci slots

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Sun Feb 24, 2002 12:43 am

teh Asus A7V266E is supposed to be pretty good as well as the MSI you listed..

and as YOS said the Epox is pretty good as well..

NuclearHeadache · Post by **NuclearHeadache** » Sun Feb 24, 2002 9:22 pm

My MSI k7t266 Pro2 non Raid is great. No problems yet and I usually have problems

HawaiianGhost · Post by **HawaiianGhost** » Sun Feb 24, 2002 9:27 pm

Originally posted by YARDofSTUF
USA? http://www.neweg.com baby, great site

epox 8kha+

agp 1x 2x 4x

6 pci slots

Hey YoS, thanx 4 the info. The site was actually http://www.Newegg.com. As for the board, it looks great and I found a place in Netherlands to buy it, which is pretty close to where I am currently at. Does it support Athlon XP's though? If not, then I guess I could OC a T-Bird on it, not sure yet, it would mean more work on Cooling config's. What do you think? Thanx again, to all you ppl for your inputs. As mentioned before, keep 'em comin' I still got some time before I start this "build".

m4a2t0t · Post by **m4a2t0t** » Sun Feb 24, 2002 10:07 pm

Originally posted by HawaiianGhost

Hey YoS, thanx 4 the info. The site was actually http://www.Newegg.com. As for the board, it looks great and I found a place in Netherlands to buy it, which is pretty close to where I am currently at. Does it support Athlon XP's though? If not, then I guess I could OC a T-Bird on it, not sure yet, it would mean more work on Cooling config's. What do you think? Thanx again, to all you ppl for your inputs. As mentioned before, keep 'em comin' I still got some time before I start this "build".

8kha+ Rev 2.0 supports up to xp2000

ftp://ftp.epox.com/support/motherboard/cpu-support.pdf

HawaiianGhost · Post by **HawaiianGhost** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 8:36 pm

I guess it's really a decision between three moboz that I have now, unless anybody else has a good one to suggest. Of course, I could just get all three boardz:

ASUS for Mobile desktop mod(DJ & Lan Parties)
-- due to it's stability, OC capabilities, etc....

MSI for home/netword server I Full Tower or Modded Cube/rack
-- due to reviews, inputs from ppl, and I can get from down the street(and not too mention that cool "red" board.

Epox for sh*tz & grins
--due to the fact YoS recommended it and it is an interesting mobo something to look into investing and because I CAN.

What the hell, I got $5K min to start with, what you think? Soundz like a plan? Tell you what, I could throw one hell of a Party with all three set-upz at one of these Euroean night clubz that'z for sure. Anyway, thanx ppl, for all your inputz and interest. Wasn't much of a response but I did get enough to get closer to a decision. And for thoze who still want REPLY, you're more than welcome, in fact I would appreciate more response/inputs. I won't start building for another 30 Dayz (currently planning other eventz) so keep 'em comin'!!

__________________________________________

Innovating Sound & Muzic -- to get the Damn Message Across!!:2cool:

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 10:26 pm

Hiya HawaiianGhost

I have the Asus A7V266-E

Some thoughts. Asus runs the cpu at 1.85 by default. You can disable that with the jumpers on the board so you can set it lower in the bios. It helps keep it stable as is, especially if you plan to overclock. Keep in mind this is no huge overclocker. Most have problems with the newer one's getting them over 150 on the fsb. That is as high as I've had mine. Some seem to think that the newer boards arn't as good at overclocking because there is a cap missing from them that Asus took off for those who needed more hsf room.

I had some problems with mine but believe it's more a problem with newegg (where I bought it) cycling boards. The one I'm using now is rock solid at 145 fsb and I just dropped it from 147. My son had a lockup on a game and I was seeing if it was related. Seems 145 is pretty stable right now.

I bought this board for onboard RAID. If I had it to do over, I think I'd go with what Yard is suggesting and buy the EpOX EP-8KHA+ board with a separate RAID controller.

Here's a link to that board.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 11:04 pm

My 8KHA+ is very stable and fast.... It has a bug though... it will randomly reboots... this can be fixed by asking epox to send you a new bios chip.

SG Broadband Community

Mobo Confused?Need inputs to decide...

Which Socket-A You Think Is Best??

Mobo Confused?Need inputs to decide...