new system reccomendations/critique

[Roy]

I'm about to replace my BX6-2 with a Micro Star MS-6163 v.2. It's just out and puts the others to shame. There's a review at overclock.digiweb.com (http://overclock.digiweb.com) .

BXBoards used the v.1 to evaluate SDRAM at 153MHz. The BX6-2 wouldn't cut it.

I plan to get it running this weekend. There will be a Post in Motherboards when I do.

Oh. It only cost $95. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-30-99).]

[Bleeding Edge]

Besides the MicroStar 6163 v.2, there are two other boards to consider. Aopen's AX6BC Pro Gold and Soyo's 6BA+III. All three are perferred over Abit's BX6 r2.

In addition, all three boards are reviewed at http://www.anandtech.com/html/motherboards.cfm and at http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/hardware_mb.shtml

[Roy]

Neither Sharkey's nor Anand's has reviewed the MS-6163 v.2.

It's features include ~

~ More FSB speeds
~ Vcore adjustable to +20%
~ Northbridge voltage adjustable to 3.6V
~ Vcore range ready for Coppermine (133MHz P3 - 1.3V)

... and more.

[zskillz]

This is the new system that I'm thinking aoubt getting, I'm not sure about the mobo yet, but if you have the time, and you know what you're talking about, I'd appreciate if you'd give it a look
thx
Z

1. This option has the BX6r2 with the c366… I know that I'll have to have a slotkey to go with it, but that is insignificant right now…

ABIT BX6 INTEL 440BX CHIPSET PENTIUM II ATX FORM FACTOR
5xPCI/2xISA/1xAGP/4xDIMM Detail Specs Yes it's Revision 2!
$105.00
MWAVE CPU SLOT KIT CONVERT SOCKET 370 TO SLOT 1
$10.00
NETGEAR FA310TX PCI 10/100BTX (Retail) Detail Spec
$22.90
IN-WIN Q500 FULL TOWER W/300W ATX POWER SUPPLY 5x51/4 1x31/2 6x31/2(INTERNAL) Detail Specs
$75.00
SONY 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE
$15.00
CORSAIR CM654S128-BX2 16X64 PC100 128MB CAS2 SDRAM DIMM
$135.00
CREATIVE LABS SOUNDBLASTER LIVE! VALUE PCI 256VOICE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIO (OEM)
$49.90
INTEL CELERON 366MHZ W/128K CACHE(RETAILED) W/COOLING FAN 3 YEARS WARRANTY ** For Socket 370
Motherboard Only**
$77.00
Sub Total $489.80
S&H (UPS Ground) $39.09
Grand Total $528.89

2. $531.19 (385.98-mwave) (145.21-bunta)
The second option has the BP6 witch supports a dual celeron setup (instead of the bx6r2)(everything else should be compatible)…. Right now, I'll only be getting one processor b/c win98se doesn't support SMP, but from what I've read, the BP6 has the same overclocking capabilities that the BX6r2 has…

I know that the dual processor thing is way more than I could possible need, but it's only $30 more, and when win2k comes out, I'll add another c366 (or whatever) and that'll have SMP support, so then the dual thingy will come into play… it just seems to be a cheap option that is feasible, sensible, and stable….

Suggestions are SERIOUSLY desired, cause I may not be considering something significant right now….

Some things that I already have are…
Vid card
Cdrom
Zip100
14.4 7200rpm hdd…
so I don't need to include those…
overall, it should be 505 for option 1 and 530 for option 2

[Zonker]

My only comment is this...

why the fancy high priced memory? You can get PC100 128MB SDRAM sticks with lifetime warranties at several online retailers for well under $100!

I seriously doubt that you will be clocking that puppy past 100Mhz.

I always get the cheapest "lifetime" warranty memeory I can find, and I've never had a stick fail at 100Mhz..

[scourge]

Only one comment and I know this costs more, but why waste time with a regular old 1.44 floppy. An LS-120 superdisk will run faster, read your old 1.44s and give you good sized backup of things if needed. I know you said you have a zip drive, but is it internal/external or what? You could also save a little money by going with cheaper RAM. Corsair is good stuff, but Micron is fine and about $40 cheaper. Most PC100 RAM will run @ 124MHz, if you plan to run faster than that you should check out PC133 RAM.

[AuraEdge]

Id rather get generic PC133 than Corsair PC100 at the same price.
Id recommend generic memory always, but maybe im just cheap

[MadMatt]

Wow, this system is almost identical to the one I'm building. I'm getting a G400 Max for video and an IBM 22GB deskstar, so I'm looking at about $500 more than yours.

Great advice on the RAM. Anyone have Url's or names of vendors who have the good, cheap, guaranteed stuff?

[AuraEdge]

Go to pricewatch and go from the cheapest up. I got one stick of Siemens PC100 128MB DIMM at www.asr-online.com (http://www.asr-online.com) for 69.49 plus 12 shipping. Mine runs at 133fsb as we speak. I dont know if the deals still on but id recommend it, even tho u may not be able to hit 133, 128MB PC100 for 70 bucks is a good price

[Bleeding Edge]

Thank you for your clarification on the motherboard reviews, Roy. And for the additional identifying features of the v.2. If you know of a site that evaluates all three of these boards, please let us know…

AuraEdge’s PC133 suggestion is worth consideration. Even non-generic Corsair/Micron 133modules are only $20 more for the non-ECC dimms…

[zskillz]

Well, thank you everyone. I decided to do an about face with the mobo. I went with an abit BP6.. hehe... just wanted to try out the dual proc thing for a while. Thanks for the RAM advice by the way as well. I'll let you know how the stuff runs once I receive it.
Z