Good, cheap mobo

[Georgina]

Hello everyone,

I had been using the ECS K7S5A mobo for some DC boxes, but I'm now looking for a new mobo. The K7S5A is limited to 200/266 FSB while the next gen of AMDs are coming out with higher speeds.

The 3 main requirements are 1) cheap, 2) stable, and 3) onboard LAN. I don't OC, so that's not an issue.

Any suggestions? :help:

Thanks,

G

[IronBits]

I picked up an MSI KT3V - been working great right out of the box with an xp2600 :)
About $73 (optional LAN)
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=385&MODEL=MS-6712

[ricos0]

Hi -

The ASRock K7S8X is inexpensive, fsb133/166/200, fast and stable, onboard lan, sound, usb, AGP 8X, temp sensing and can do some clocking. I run my XP2100+ at 2080 MHz.

For a review see http://www.ocworkbench.com/2003/asrock/k7s8x/k7s8x-1.htm

There is also an ASRock forum at OCWorkbench :D

[Georgina]

IronBits - NewEgg has the MSI KT3V, but not with the optional LAN. They do have a MSI KT4VL with a LAN. I'll consider it.

ricos0 - you said the K7-S8X supports fsb 133/166/200, but the product description for the K7-S8X says it supports only 133 and 166 (266/333). Did I miss something? Is a 400 fsb really available?

I like the idea of having the 266/333/400 fsb option because all of those speeds are now being sold by AMD - allows more future upgrade options.

BTW, does any one know how long AMD plans to keep the 333 fsb?

Thanks for your input.

G

[ricos0]

hey georgina -

you're right - the k7s8x is uses the sis746fx chipset for fsb333 max, however it does support ddr400 (newer bios versions support faster timing). the newer k7s8x-se board uses the sis748 to go up to fsb400.

folks are successfully running bartons in both models.:D

[IronBits]

This looks like a very nice Distributed Computing crunching board for $80 :)

http://www.bjorn3d.com/_preview.php?articleID=288

I take any tests/benchmarks with a grain of salt, but, this reviewer shows that it meets or beats the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe - which says ALOT for performance, IMHO.

[GHOST]

i just bought an asus a7n8x-x. at least i thought i did. mistakenly ordered a7v8x-x. and i was watching out for that. hopefully newegg will let me exchange it without :moon: .

then i read customer reviews on the a7n8x-x. seems the -x does not support DUAL channel ddr. if you want the benefits of this board you have to go with a7n8x or a7n8x deluxe.

gotta watch the fine print

[Georgina]

I finally bought a Shuttle AN35N Ultra that supports 200/266/333/400 FSB. So far I am happy with the mobo; however, Newegg had them for $63, when I ordered mine but I guess the inital sales of this new board were better than expected and they raised the price to $75 :eek:

G

[mr_mann]

i got the kt4v-l i love it :) its good enough for a cheap machine...

[GHOST]

Well my A7V8X-X is a keeper. Using a XP2500+ and Corsair XMS pc2700. And a Volcano 11 hsf. Running stable at 11 x 200.

I'm running out of room. It is parked on top of the :dump: , so far it is happy there.

[IronBits]

MSI K8T NEO-FIS2R Socket 754/Athlon 64/SATA/R/A/GBE/1394/ATX Motherboard $149
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-K8TNEO&c=dt

Biostar M7VIQ $49
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-M7VIQ

[rsbriggs]

You have to add $9.00 shipping to the VIQ at eWiz making it $56

It's $55 at NewEgg with shipping included, and you get a free $10 NewEgg tee-shirt thrown in, too....

[IronBits]

I never got a T-shirt :swear:
They owe me about a store full now ;)

[magicfan241]

I'm using the M7VIG Pro (I think). I believe the VIQ is in the same line.

No problems here.

Coming up on a year, with nothing.

[Paratima]

From looking at the Biostar Website (http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/mainboard/index.php3), the M7VIG and M7VIQ are really sisters. (It's easiest on their site to just put what you want to see in the "Search" box.) The only major difference that I can see is that the M7VIG has the option of using PC133 SDRAM. The M7VIQ accepts only DDR266.

The "PRO" version of the M7VIG has the built-in NIC.

I have several of the VIG PRO's serving faithfully. YMMV. :)

[GHOST]

Well my A7V8X-X is a keeper. Using a XP2500+ and Corsair XMS pc2700. And a Volcano 11 hsf. Running stable at 11 x 200.


I think this may be my best board, getting 180,000 points a day on df. winxp. :D

How are the rest of you doing?