New Mobo

[LeBodge]

Hi,

A client has asked me to recommend a new mobo for him (to support a AMD1800+) at around £50-£60. With so many different makes and models available, does any have any suggestions as to the best for the cash

Cheers,
LeBodge.

"I know what I like and I like what I know"

 

[wolluf]

I use Soltek SL75KAV, which is available for £54.31 or less from

http://prices.cclcomputers.co.uk/jscript_menu/retail/retail_frame.htm

on my main machine at home. Its been a good board (had it for 2 years or so) - but getting on a bit now! (Sdram and usb 1.1 only) - but its in your price range.

 

[franklin97355]

Don't know what is available in the UK but I like Tyan and MSI boards but every time I upgrade I go through the same thing you are..so many choices.

 

[Comtech]

MSI KT4V-L
Onboard LAN, sound.
Supports AMD up to 3000+ (not even built yet).
Supports asynchronous/synchronous DDR from 2100 to DDR 3300 (and support for faster RAM with BIOS update).
CPU FSB from 266mhz up.
Used quite a few in my latest builds, and it's nicely stable with Retail CPU's HS/Fan setups. Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

Comtech getting ready to build a system with that board, what do you make of the (*DDR 400 memory support by MSI certified module only Note: DDR400 (PC3200) Max. up to 2 Memory Dimm slots with 4 memory banks only)?

 

[Comtech]

As the board ships, it can only support 2 DDR400 modules, taking up 2 slots, 4 banks (don't confuse "banks" with "slots"!), unless you get the MSI certified modules (it's explained exactly what that is on the website).
Basically all Micron, Crucial, Corsair, etc., RAM is certified.
Look:

http://www.msicomputer.com/pressrelease/kt400.asp

There's already a BIOS update to take DDR400 in all 3 slots, using 6 banks.
It is backwards compatible to take 3 DDR modules of any sort in all 3 slots, providing they are NOT DDR400 (PC3200).
eg. You can mix and match DDR 1600, DDR2100, or DDR 2700 all you like, or have 3 of each, with no problems.
In particular, if you have DDR 2700, you can run the RAM asynchronous to the CPU's FSB...that is, run the RAM at 333mhz with NO ill effects on the CPU or PCI bus speeds.
If you only have DDR 2100, then run it synchronous at 266mhz. If you only have DDR1600, then run it asynchronous at 200mhz.
The ability to run RAM asynchronously can be a huge benefit. The extra speed in program access and runtime by running DDR2700 at 333mhz can make quite a difference on an Athlon XP running FSB of 266mhz. Besides that, if you put 2 DDR400 chips (512 each?) and run them at full 400mhz speed, it's gonna scream! (Overclocking friendly too, if you're interested ;-) ) Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

Interesting, and yes by the way i was confusing banks and slots... but this board will be running the XP 2400 and 1 512 DDR2700 for now. But do like the expandablility of this board

 

[paparazi]

The Via KT400 chipset equipt Gigabyte GA7-VA, just outside your max at £66.98 but a damn good board for a reasonable price.

http://www.a-dcomputers.co.uk/index2.html

Nottingham Custom build shop.
Martin Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Comtech]

Buckeye, the XP2400 is a 266mhz FSB chip, and your DDR is 333mhz, so set up the CPU FSB on that board at 133mhz (the chipset does the multiplying for you) and the RAM FSB to 333mhz, CAS 2.5 and the rest of the settings auto.
By default, they'll be 3, 3, and 7, and you might be able to increase them a bit, but there's not much point.

I agree, the Gigabyte board is good too, but they're too pricey around here (and probably over there as well).
In my own personal benchmarks, the MSI beat the Gigabyte, but only by a slight bit.

Just for fun, here's a few pics
OK, Stock, RAM FSB at 266mhz
MSI KT4V-L motherboard
Mixed DDR 2700 and 2100 total 512meg

Overclocked RAM FSB ONLY to 333mhz

No idea why HDD access time is different, but it's only by 4

CPUID screens:
Overclocked

Stock

Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[paparazi]

Comtech, are MSI cheaper in Canada than Gigabyte equivallant? here in the UK Gigabyte like for like are around 10% cheaper.
I like MSI too but the Gigabyte I named above is the basic version of the three model KT400 chipset line up that Gigabyte offers, guess thats what the MSI KT4V-L is? never used this one only the KT4 Ultra which I liked alot.
Martin Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Comtech]

For sure MSI are cheaper!
The cheapest GA7-VA is $119 plus shipping.
The cheapest KT4V-L is $113.
The MSI has onboard LAN, the giga doesn't.
The MSI has independent RAM FSB settings, the giga doesn't.
The MSI has ability to lock PCI and AGP bus while overclocking the CPU FSB, giga does not.
The KT4V-L is the Ultra with onboard LAN.
Yes, it's the VIA KT400 chipset. Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[KimLeece]

How do you think these two boards compare to the ASUS A7VN8X? (In Japan they are all a similar price)

Kim Leece.

 

[KimLeece]

Sorry typo - A7N8X

Kim Leece.

 

[paparazi]

What started out as a question about a decent budget motherboard just turned into what is the fastest and best.
The Asus A7N8X is twice the price of a Gigabyte GA7-VA.
In the UK A7N8X is £119
Gigabyte GA7-VA is £67 and for Comtech the MSI KT4 Ultra is £98 so you see why I was wondering how come your MSI board is cheaper when hear in the UK the MSI is nearly 50% more? sure your looking at the basic GA7-VA ?
The top model Gigabyte GA7-VAXP Ultra is £98 though, essentally the same board but with all the extras.
Martin Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[KimLeece]

Japanese prices are as follows (in UK pounds)

A7N8X - 74
A7N8X deluxe - 89
GA7-VA - 54
GA7-VAXP Ultra - 74
KT4 Ultra - 54

Why there is such a discrepancy in prices worldwide beats me!

Kim Leece.

 

[LeBodge]

Thanks all, I'll try and summary all this and pass it on.

Just as a matter of interest on the post about prices, here's the best prices I could find (in the UK with all the discounts I can get included) for the same boards quoted :-

A7N8X 71
A7N8X Deluxe 96
GA7-VA(C) 46
GA7-VAXP Ulta 84
KT4 Ultra 57

Quite a bit of difference

Cheers,
LeBodge.

"I know what I like and I like what I know"

 

[Comtech]

The A7N8X is a superb board. The deluxe model has everything anyone could want, and the onboard Dolby 5.1 Soundstorm will crack windows. It's easily on par with an Audigy.
The onboard dual LAN can be tricky to set up for a single, and most disable the 3com and use the RealTek.
It's terribly fussy with RAM. Generic Kingston seems to work, but "Value RAM' Does not. Micron and Crucial both have recommended RAM for this board, and it does make a difference.
Documentation is great for the front USB 2.0 and audio/mic connections, but most case manufacturer's haven't translated their Chinglish well enough to hook it up without a degree in electronics engineering.
If it weren't so price prohibitive here in Canada, I would have purchased an A7N8X, but they're almost double the price of a Gigabyte, which is almost double the price of an MSI.
In my opinion, the MSI KT4V performs as well as the Asus, without being so hardware fussy, and it too comes with USB 2.0, front connectors, onboard LAN, and superb Dolby 5.1 sound. A few of the others don't, and unless you buy the A7N8X deluxe you lose out on the features. Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[LeBodge]

Comtech,

You say the Asus is twice the price of the Gigabyte and that is twice the price of the MSI, how much are we talking about in Canada? I'm really just interested in how much the mobo's differ in price in different countries.



LeBodge.

"I know what I like and I like what I know"

 

[Comtech]

I kinda exaggerated a bit, but here's the lowest prices I could find in Canada. Some of these places have a horrible rating at resellrratings.com and I wouldn't order from them anyhow.

http://www.ncix.com

in Vancouver is where I get all my stuff, but they don't sell that model gigabyte.
The closest they have is the GA-7VAXP which has all the options the Asus does, and cost $162
A7N8X deluxe, $217
GA7-VA, $119 (no onboard LAN or firewire)
KT4V-L Ultra $116

The best "bang-for-the-buck" is the KT4V-L
Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[poople]

Check out the ASUS A7V333. It is very reliable, has great built-in features, and works very well with the XP line of processors. Here is a link to the manufacturer's web page:

http://usa.asus.com/mb/socketa/a7v333/overview.htm

Your customer won't need to spend a lot of money and the reviews on this board (I do have a tower with one installed) are excellent.
-poople