Amptron K7-810XLM - Can't find

[joeyroland]

Hello all,

I recently posted in the Tech Support section about an issue I am having. Long story short, I am going to buy a new MB and CPU combo (if possible).

Ideally, I would like the same MB and CPU. Though I realize I can upgrade at this point, I am just looking for a cheap fix since this isn't my primary PC.

The Motherboard I had is an AMPTRON K7-810XLM (http://www.amptron.com/html/m810xlm.html)

Also, I am not too sure what CPU I had specifically, but I believe it is an AMD Athlon or Thunderbird @ 1333MHz.

Anyone know where I can locate this discontinued board?

Thanks!:D

[The Lodge]

Your best bet would be to pick up a cheap socket A mobo. You can get one for around $25-30.

[Peter M]

This motherboard name is just a rebadge job. Its original parents called it a K7SEM 3.0 or M810L v7.x, depending on whether you prefer buying from Elitegroup or PC-Chips.

[joeyroland]

Hello,

Thanks for the replies! However, I don't know how to approach this.....

I think I would like to get a cheap Socket A board, like "The Lodge" said. But, just to be safe, I would rather purchase it as a combo deal with a CPU. I already have an adequate PS, Graphics card, memory, and all the needed cables.

So, my only requirements are:

Onboard Ethernet card
Onboard Sound
Adaptable to my memory, (2 x 256MB SDRAM 133)

Is there a cheap MB that anyone knows of like that. Basically, as close to this one as possible.

Also, Peter M, thanks for the additional info. I was able to locate more things using google by searching the Elitegroups model number. However, just like the Amptron model I listed originally, I can't seem to find one for sale. The closest was one on eBay which wasn't guaranteed.

Anymore suggestions - please!

Oh yeah, I went through all of the Online Retailers listed on PCChips's website - no luck there either.

Thanks!:D

[joeyroland]

Okay, so I gave motherboards.org a try - not realizing that they have tons of price/sales info available.

Anyway, what do you think of this setup....

Motherboard: ECS K7S5A Pro (http://motherboards.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/details__cat_id--419,prod_id--7378240.html)

CPU: AMD AthlonXP 1700 (http://motherboards.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/details__cat_id--403,prod_id--6686850.html)

The greatest thing about this board is that it does DDR or SDRAM. That way, down the road, I can always throw some better memory in there and a new CPU, (up to 2.80GHz), and it'll be like buying a new PC.

Thoughts?

[sm8000]

I'd go for it. However it is limited to a 133MHz FSB ("DDR266"), thus your best choice of processor is an Athlon XP 2400+ "Thoroughbred" core, or the rare 2600+ also with a 133MHz FSB. These do 2.0GHz and 2.133GHz, respectively.

[The Lodge]

Hey joeyr, why don’t you just use your cpu from your old mobo in that ecs board. It’s not that much slower than the 1700+, might as well put it to good use.

[joeyroland]

Hey Lodge,

I would use the old CPU, but I am scared it may fry the new MB. Before, when I had this exact problem, I put my CPU in my friend's computer, (same MoBo), and it fried his board :(

After I bought him a new MoBo, I just sent mine back to the manufacturer since it still had a warranty and waited the two weeks to get it back. Though I am positive they game me a new CPU, I am not sure about a MB.

Personally, I wouldn't mind buying a new CPU and putting it in this MoBo and praying ;)

However, since this has happened twice within two and half years, I think I am going to play it safe and just buy both a MoBo and CPU.

Also, sm8000, what you mentioned is pretty interesting....unfortunately, I think I can only afford a basic replacement and not upgrade necessarily, (college budget and smoke too). I think I am going to just play with the same speed. However, I think you saved me from making a pretty big mistake! :p You see, I have 2 sticks of 133 256MB SDRAM - not DDR. I think I'll have to get another CPU, (133 FSB), and not the one I linked before. Is that right or am I way off?

Again, thanks for all the helpful advice!:D

[sm8000]

The CPU you have, and the one you linked to, will work just fine in either board. You just can't use any with a 166MHz FSB ("DDR333"), known as the Barton cores. Your RAM will also run at its proper speed. DDR266 still runs at 133, as does PC-133.

[joeyroland]

So, let me back up....

I can get the ECS K7S5A MoBo, purchase the AMD AthlonXP 1700, AND still be able to use my 512MB SDRAM? That's freakin' awesome!

If somone can confirm that, I think I am going to place an order today!

Thanks!:D

[sm8000]

Confirmed. Order it quickly! It is out of production now.


The K7S5A series were probably the best-selling boards ever. Part of that reason was its ability to let the user choose between SDRAM and DDR (though both at once is impossible).

[joeyroland]

Thanks! :D


I am literally ordering once I finish this post.

Again, thanks alot for everyone's help! I really appreciate it! And sm8000, thanks for clearing up my [mis]understandings!

:t

[sm8000]

Glad we could help out :) Let us know how it goes.

[joeyroland]

I just remembered.....


On my old board, it had OnBoard Video. Though I plan on using my AGP graphics card, will I just have an open exposure where the old OnBoard adapter used to be? I don't mind that.

However, what about the USB ports? It says here (http://www.ecsusa.com/products/k7s5a_pro.html) that it has 6 USB 1.1 and 4 USB 2.0. My old MoBo only had two USB 1.1.

Basically, what I am asking is will I be forced to get a new PC case? Unfortunately, I have NO idea what case I currently have :(


Thanks and sorry to keep being a bother!;)

[sm8000]

The K7S5A is a full-sized ATX board, so any ATX case with slots in the back for up to seven cards will hold it. Any midtower ought to do it. Where the onboard video was on your old board, will be a second serial port on this new board.

As for the USB ports, well the six USB 1.1 ports are in the back. You may have to remove your case's current backplane and pop in the one that comes with this board (if the seller includes it). The four USB 2.0 headers are for cases with front USB ports, and are on a separate controller that can be turned on or off. If it is turned on, then you cannot use any card in the topmost PCI slot as it and the front USB share physical resources.

EDIT: If you're hard up for a case, check out this one. (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-154-012&depa=0) It has two front USB ports, and a good 350W power supply unit (PSU) by Allied.

[joeyroland]

No success yet?


I went back to motherboards.org and brought up this list (http://motherboards.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--419,prod_id--7378240.html) again. If you click on the "Go" buttons, the vendors don't have the board....at least not in stock.

Anyway, I figued newegg looked pretty nice and trustworthy, so I breezed over their stock of AMD MoBo's. No luck there either. Ever board they have is listed as having DDR - not my cheap old PC133 SDRAM:(

Any more suggestions - please?

Though now would be a good oppurtunity to upgrade, I just can't financially justify it/afford it. That's the whole point of looking for a direct replacement for both the CPU and MoBo. I thought I was going to be able to replace and stay in budget with MoBo and CPU mentioned earlier. Guess not:confused:

Thanks!:D



EDIT:

I think I found something <removes foot from mouth>

For $64, I can get it here. (http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpidEQ1153257631AMPdomain_idEQ62AMPmeta_i dEQ5) .

I think I am going to do it and also get this CPU (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-104-160&depa=1) from newegg.com, (thanks sm8000:D ).

So, before I click on any "buy" or "add to cart" buttons, anyone disagree or should I go for it?

Thanks again!:D

[sm8000]

This board may prove hard to get nowadays. I checked pricewatch.com and only one vendor had a listing for it, but at their website it said "No stock." They were all refurb boards though.

Buying from eBay is risky, in my experience, but it may be your only path at this point for that board.

[joeyroland]

Well, I purchased the board from half.com and the CPU from eggnow.com.

Anyway, as soon as I get them in, I'll try and piece everything together.

Hopefully I'll be able to post back here and NOT in the Technical Support, <crosses fingers>.


Thanks alot!:D

[sm8000]

LOL, that's newegg.com :D And I assume when you say CPU you mean the case? To us, the CPU is the actual processor, a chip.

Anyway, good luck to you. Bear in mind that when this board ships to retail it often has its CMOS jumper set to "Clear" in order to save the battery from being drained during shipping. If your board doesn't boot initially, first check the jumper, then try a new battery.

Also this board does not tolerate RAM that isn't working properly, so if you're in doubt you can test your RAM with software from www.memtest.org. As well, the CPU cooling must be on properly.