Motherboard hunt driving me crazy!

mshannon · 10-12-2002, 12:56 PM

All right, I am coming to you all to try and see if you can help me determine which motherboard is going to be the best for my upcoming project.

First off all I am trying to put together a higher end KT333/AMD System, and plan on Overclocking with Water Cooling.

I've already narrowed down most of the other hardware, however the Motherboard is becoming a difficult selection. Sharky's Extreme, Tom's Hardware Guide, and TweakTown all have differing reviews, each one rating on of the following boards as the best.

Soyo Dragon Platinum

MSI KT3 ULTRA-ARU

GIGABYTE GA-7VRXP

So, anyone who has used one of these boards, or has advice to contribute, please let me know!

Thanks!

sunblade · 10-12-2002, 02:34 PM

I don't trust motherboard reviews beyond getting specifications and pictures. My recommendation would be to travel to www.amdmb.com and check around their forums and see how well the motherboard is working out for the average owner. A mobo might look like "the one", but it could have who knows how many bugs under the hood.

bigben2k · 10-12-2002, 04:21 PM

I'm either going with an Asus A7N8X, or Epox 8RDA+, whenever they appear on the market...

In the mean time, the Asus A7V8X and Epox 8K5A+ are available right now.

gmat · 10-12-2002, 04:49 PM

Generally Asus and Epox boards are considered as top performers.
MSI can be either good or flaky, depends on the model.
Soyo are the bomb in Asia, but i've not read many reports about these boards.
Gigabyte are solid boards, but usually give little provision for OCing or tweaking.

mshannon · 10-13-2002, 10:32 AM

Based on your suggestions, and the reviews of others, EpoX it is. However many of the typical on-line stores I use (www.tcwo.com) don't sell them.

Do you guys have a place you like to use online, good shipping and fair prices? I hate for this to become a vendor free for all, but I also really don't want to get screwed getting a new mobo.

Thanks again!

-M

decodeddiesel · 10-13-2002, 12:22 PM

Hey good choise on the EPoX. I have been running an 8KHA+ for about 6 months now and I love it!! EPoX is deffiniatly on my short list for motherboards.

I can hartely reccomend http://www.newegg.com as well as http://www.kdcomputers.com. I have dealt with both before in the past and their service, time from order placed untill it is sitting on my door, and price (newegg is slightly better) are excelent. Be sure to check the "refurbished" section at newegg, often you can find some real steals there!!

bigakita · 10-13-2002, 05:59 PM

Whatever board you buy, make sure that it will support the new 333fsb processors. I spent two weeks recently trying to decide what board to buy and almost went with the Gigabyte GA-7VAXP, but the lack of mounting holes around the processor made me change my mind. I want the holes there for any future cooling projects I may undertake.

I eventually decided on the Abit AT7-MAX2 board. Tons of overclocking options and lots of accessories. Should be here next week.

FRAGN'STIEN · 10-13-2002, 06:17 PM

I bought mine at mwave. They have great prices and fast shipping.

mshannon · 10-13-2002, 07:44 PM

Well I was adding up my purchase today when I decided to take a look at the support in Linux for the HPT374 Raid Controller, let's just say from what I am seeing it is not up to snuff.

Damn!

Once again I am stuck with a tough decision, my OS of choice is Linux, I primarily use my computer for programming, security work, and number crunching. Therefore I figured some good parts, quality OCing, and sweet RAID would be good.

Now it doesn't look so good.

How about anyone here, any Linux users who can refute or affirm me?

Thanks!

10-12-2002, 12:56 PM	#1
mshannon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 11	Motherboard hunt driving me crazy! All right, I am coming to you all to try and see if you can help me determine which motherboard is going to be the best for my upcoming project. First off all I am trying to put together a higher end KT333/AMD System, and plan on Overclocking with Water Cooling. I've already narrowed down most of the other hardware, however the Motherboard is becoming a difficult selection. Sharky's Extreme, Tom's Hardware Guide, and TweakTown all have differing reviews, each one rating on of the following boards as the best. Soyo Dragon Platinum MSI KT3 ULTRA-ARU GIGABYTE GA-7VRXP So, anyone who has used one of these boards, or has advice to contribute, please let me know! Thanks!

10-12-2002, 04:21 PM	#3
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I'm either going with an Asus A7N8X, or Epox 8RDA+, whenever they appear on the market... In the mean time, the Asus A7V8X and Epox 8K5A+ are available right now. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

10-13-2002, 10:32 AM	#5
mshannon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 11	EpoX it is then Based on your suggestions, and the reviews of others, EpoX it is. However many of the typical on-line stores I use (www.tcwo.com) don't sell them. Do you guys have a place you like to use online, good shipping and fair prices? I hate for this to become a vendor free for all, but I also really don't want to get screwed getting a new mobo. Thanks again! -M

10-13-2002, 12:22 PM	#6
decodeddiesel Cooling Savant Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: classified Posts: 534	Hey good choise on the EPoX. I have been running an 8KHA+ for about 6 months now and I love it!! EPoX is deffiniatly on my short list for motherboards. I can hartely reccomend http://www.newegg.com as well as http://www.kdcomputers.com. I have dealt with both before in the past and their service, time from order placed untill it is sitting on my door, and price (newegg is slightly better) are excelent. Be sure to check the "refurbished" section at newegg, often you can find some real steals there!! __________________ ...i hurt... do me a favor, disconect me... they can re-work me but i'll never be top of the line again ...i'd rather be nothing...

10-13-2002, 06:17 PM	#8
FRAGN'STIEN Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2002 Location: Rathdrum, ID Posts: 380	I bought mine at mwave. They have great prices and fast shipping. __________________ This space for rent

10-12-2002, 02:34 PM	#2
sunblade Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 156	I don't trust motherboard reviews beyond getting specifications and pictures. My recommendation would be to travel to www.amdmb.com and check around their forums and see how well the motherboard is working out for the average owner. A mobo might look like "the one", but it could have who knows how many bugs under the hood.

10-12-2002, 04:49 PM	#4
gmat Thermophile Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: France Posts: 1,221	Generally Asus and Epox boards are considered as top performers. MSI can be either good or flaky, depends on the model. Soyo are the bomb in Asia, but i've not read many reports about these boards. Gigabyte are solid boards, but usually give little provision for OCing or tweaking.

10-13-2002, 05:59 PM	#7
bigakita Just wouldnt stop being Stupid Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nirvana Posts: 8	Whatever board you buy, make sure that it will support the new 333fsb processors. I spent two weeks recently trying to decide what board to buy and almost went with the Gigabyte GA-7VAXP, but the lack of mounting holes around the processor made me change my mind. I want the holes there for any future cooling projects I may undertake. I eventually decided on the Abit AT7-MAX2 board. Tons of overclocking options and lots of accessories. Should be here next week.

10-13-2002, 07:44 PM	#9
mshannon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 11	Damn! Well I was adding up my purchase today when I decided to take a look at the support in Linux for the HPT374 Raid Controller, let's just say from what I am seeing it is not up to snuff. Damn! Once again I am stuck with a tough decision, my OS of choice is Linux, I primarily use my computer for programming, security work, and number crunching. Therefore I figured some good parts, quality OCing, and sweet RAID would be good. Now it doesn't look so good. How about anyone here, any Linux users who can refute or affirm me? Thanks!

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