AMD XP MOBO Recommendations Please!

[jmichna]

I currently run a TBird 1.2@1.4, using an Asus A7V133 mobo, IDE raid-0, Elsa Gladiac Ultra (GeF2), DVD, CD-RW, etc., etc.

Looking to upgrade the CPU (eyes on an XP2000+ or XP2100+) and suitable mobo.

I know I'll need to go with new ram (SDRAM-->DDR), and prob will want to U/G the vid card to nVidia's latest and greatest.

I expect my ThermalRight SK6 HS/60-->80mm funnel/80mm fan will be good enough. My case is a solid LiteOn FS020 with 120mm fans front and rear (decent ventillation). PS is Enermax 350.

I use my pc for gaming, as well as web development and database programming (running WinXP Pro; Oracle 8i, FrontPage 2002 as examples of software I use).

Assuming I get the XP2000+ or XP2100+ I probably won't need (:p ) to think about overclocking... at least right away.

Having said all this... what do you recommend as a fast, yet solid and stable, mobo which will provide ide raid-0 (nuetral regarding on-board audio and no on-board video (will disable anyway), BUT onboard NIC 10/100 would be good). Some overclocking ability definitely a plus (soft menu or dip switches... either way is okay), but speed and stability are the primary drivers. Five (or more) pci slots also important... don't really need any isa slots.

TIA,
jmichna

[Rugor]

I may get a lot of flak for this suggestion

But how about the Gigabyte GA7-DXR? It's not the latest but it does support all the features you wanted and Gigabyte's stable enough that AMD was sending out their boards on the extreme performance project.

The only real weakness is that the AMD 761 chipset's getting a little dated at this point, but it's still stable and performs pretty well.

[araaraara]

I have the MSI K7T266 Pro2 and I love it. You can get the RU version (raid+usb 2.0) for less now than the bare one cost a while ago. It uses the VIA KT266A chipset and PC2100 DDR. It is a great board and I have never had a problem with it. It's also cheaper than Asus and Abit.
If you want all out performance, the ASUS A7V333 is the only way to go, with support for PC2700 (333mhz) DDR ram.

[jmichna]

Is the A7V333 available in the marketplace already? I haven't seen it yet.
jmichna

[chiller]

http://www.bzboyz.com/store/mb_asus.html

here is where i found the Asus A7V333 board tell what you think

[BobyJo]

I think I would hold off purchasing any KT333 chipset mobo's right now. I think the KT333a chipset will be available in a month or so.
For my recommendations on mobo brands. I will strongly recommend the Epox line. Either the 8KHA+, 8KA3+(will be available soon).

I have a shuttle AK35GTR, very good and solid mobo, the one I have does not OC well at all. In order to adjust the fsb to 140, the memory timmings have to be set at failsafe or it won't boot into windows. Win98se was locking up quite often, after installing Win2000Pro, no lockups at all.

The Epox mobo's we have all OC very well. I am not a avid OC'er. I just like to find the sweet spot where the mobo and components run thier best and no problems. This may be default settings, or may be OC'ed to a degree.

As far as the prior post about the ASUS 333 mobo. I would not recommend this mobo. #1: This mobo is priced quite expensive and is not the KT333a chipset. #2: you can purchase the same featue Epox mobo for just over $100.00. And in this case you don't get what you pay for with this ASUS mobo.

[elleon30033]

three words - Soyo Dragon Plus - check it out

[BobyJo]

The Soyo Dragon + is a great mobo.
Has a lot features, same as the Shuttle AK35GTR, place them side by side and other than the color, you probably would not know the difference.
All has the exact same features, same bios, all the same except the price.
The Dragon + will cost you over $150.00, the Shuttle AK35GTR will cost you less than $110.00.
The Shuttle AK35GTR out performed the Abit with the same features.
All three of these mobo's are almost identical except the price.

The 8K3A+ Epox is listed on some venders for less than $125.00.

The KT333a by Epox will be available this week.
They are already posted on Epox's site.
See all the features and 1.5 x the speed of the KT266a mobo's..

Something strange is the fact that the PC2700 CL2 memory for the KT333a's is less cost than the PC2100 CL2.5 memory most everyone is using with the KT266a.