EPOX 8K3A+ KT333

[cank]

Just wondering a few things about the EPOX 8K3A+ KT333:

1. Where is the best place on line to get it?
2. Can I use a 128MB and a 256MB DDR2100 together without problems?
3. OEM or retail?
4. Suggestions for video card around $100.
5. I heard tech support was bad, but does performance and reliability outweigh that?
6. General comments.

Thanks,

Cank

[BlackTruckRyder]

1) www.newegg.com
2) Should be able to.
3) Up to you, retail you get a box and all kinds of goodies.
4) check newegg
5) Never had to use Epox tech support, if that tells you anything.
6)I've been using that same mobo for like 4 months and love it, very stable, lots of options, reliable, fast. Never had a problem with it.

[biglaker]

Seems like NEWEGG has been out of this board for at least a few days. MWave.com shows them in stock, however.
Biglaker

[jmichna]

Originally posted by cank
Just wondering a few things about the EPOX 8K3A+ KT333:

1. Where is the best place on line to get it? Bought mine at Newegg.com about 3-4 months ago for $115
2. Can I use a 128MB and a 256MB DDR2100 together without problems? You can, but the KT333 is built to use DDR2700 SDRAM... that's why the mem bus runs asynchronously at 166mHz... too fast for most any DDR2100 stick unless you get lucky. You can in BIOS, however, set the mem bus to run at 133mHz. Curious though... if you're doing this why not just get a KT266a mobo?
3. OEM or retail? I bought retail so as to get all the cables, manual, etc. Otherwise, NO difference in quality.
4. Suggestions for video card around $100. Sorry, no opinions here.
5. I heard tech support was bad, but does performance and reliability outweigh that?My experience is tech support is same as Asus or Abit (my other preferred boards through time) Like for most mobos, you get better support at dedicated "user enthusiasts" web sites... amdmb.com is a great site and it is frequented by EPoX tech employees
6. General comments.I would not hesitate to get another EPoX... oustanding tweakability and stability. Can't wait for the nVidia "nforce" chipset version of 400mHz fsb to be released/mature with all the bells and whistles of the 8K3A+/8K5A2+/8K5A3+ mobos.

Thanks,

Cank
My responses in bold, above.
jmichna

[RamonGTP]

Jmichna and I both have that same board, and I also would not hesitate to get another one. Can't really comment on the tech support as I haven't needed to use it. I'm currently using PC2100 memory that I had from my previous board. I have my FSB OCed to 145MHz and my ram timings are at "Turbo" and haven't had any problems. I will however be upgrading to PC2700 once AMD releases their 333MHz CPU's, because i'll be getting one of those as well :D As far as video card, you can get an ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB for about $107 at newegg, or a Radeon 8500 (non LE) 64MB for about the same price. These cards perform on par with the GF3's.

-Ramon

[cank]

I had plans a year ago to build a system with a Epox 8KHA+. That's when I bought the Crucial DDR2100 (it's been sitting in the box for a while). Now that I am actually going through with this, I would like to keep my upgrade options open for the future but utilize the memory I have.
Biglaker- thanks, I'll have to check MWave out.

Thanks all for the input.
cank

[missiveusa]

Got my 8KHA+ at mwave. You'll pay less there for any mainboard, get a better selection, and the service is just as good as newegg.

[cank]

Yeah, it looks like MWave will be my choice. Now I think I have changed my mind again and will get an EPOX EP-8K5A2+.
Seems like the on-board sound might be better and it has LAN support. I didn't plan on buying a sound card, but I do need a network connection.

Thanks again,

cank