Server Upgrade: Tyan Trinity 400

[Dracas]

Hey folks, me again, this time I had a question regarding a mobo Upgrade I would like to make (soon) to my backup system/server system currently using a Jetway 911AF (No AGP Intel 810 chipset with onboard graphics ONLY).

The move would be from the Jetway 911AF to the Tyan Trinity 400 and I was wondering if it would be worth the investment, the servers primarily used for low-yield HTTPd and FTPd servers (Microsoft IIS), an IRCd daemon and possibly for a proprietary game server for something in developement.

My main concerns are below and I was hoping someone could allieviate some of my concerns and questions about the board:

1: Does the Tyan Trinity 400 (using a VIA Chipset) have at least DECENT and functional USB Support?

2: Anyone know if both the Slot-1 and Socket can be used simultaneously in a dual chip configuration or is it Single-Sock/slot only?

3: Is moving to PC133 ram worth it, since the server currently uses PC100 ram (256MB) and would likely be moved to maximum capacity, is it worth the investment for the services that the system will be running?

4: Is this board relatively stable for extended runtime?

Those were the primary questions, but if theres something I should know before purchasing this board that any of you can think of, feel free to interject.

btw...this is a server, not a professional one, and I don't have boatloads of cash to vape on going 1U or buying a new server system, I imagine this one will work fine (as its the one I'm currently using, and has been online and stable for weeks now) for what I need it for

Thanks in advance

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by Dracas
Anyone know if both the Slot-1 and Socket can be used simultaneously in a dual chip configuration or is it Single-Sock/slot only?One at a time for sure. This is not a server motherboard - it's a desktop solution.

I can give you a better idea what's best if you mention your CPU and form factor.

BTW - the VIA Apollo Pro 133A is pretty bad with USB.

[Dracas]

Alright, here's a few needs. Slot-1 mainboard availability isn't all that great with the upper range of SECC-2 Pentium III's

Looking for something with 2x/4x AGP, for an Intel Pentium III 100x8.5 that can take over 512MB of PC100 or PC133 ram, hopefully with sound built onboard (for remote alerts, since it'll be stuck in a closet somewhere likely)

The board I have works swell, based on the Intel-810 chipset, but totally lacks AGP and for that matter, reasonable expandability, not to mention hardware monitoring, it supports something called "Health IIII" from Jetway, since they apparently have no clue how to use roman numerals, I think they mean "Health IV" which doesn't work with Windows XP to begin with, and MBM5 won't work with this mainboard I discovered.

So what would you suggest for a mainboard? The server idea is welcome, since P3's are relatively scare, but cheap, so a dual slot mainboard isn't out of the question, recommendations are welcome, thanks again

[BipolarBill]

You'll have a hard time locating a new Slot 1 board. That one is as good as any if you can find it, but it won't let you upgrade to a Tualatin CPU later.

I would cough for a Soyo TISU and a 1.1 Celeron and leave the the SECC **** behind. As a matter of fact, I'd consider an MSI KT4VL and a a 1.1 Duron. Both bundles cost around $100.