Need suggestions for new MOBO and processor

[lprocter]

I'd like at least 900 MHZ and I will be using my comp for light video editing and photoshopping, just want a good, stable system. I'm not interested in OC'ing, etc. Thanks http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Peter M]

Use an ECS K7S5A, use your existing SDRAM or buy DDR (board can do both), and get yourself a nice fast CPU.

The sysopt review doesn't quite do the board's speed and stability good justice (why did they use an overclocked Duron instead of a 133 MHz bus Athlon?!?)

regards, Peter

[Richard_Cranium72]

Peter, do you suggest this board over the Abit KT7-E ?

Here's a link(hopefully)to the ECS board->>

http://www.powerstartpc.com/cgis/detail.cgi?product=MB-ECS-K7S5A&ses=3c042e44668706d38dbc02ca62703bbf&cat=MB

[Kuasimodem]

How about a KT7A with a 1Ghz 266FSB T-bird, add 512Mb PC133, and you should have a pretty potent video/photo editing rig. You might even want to add a Radeon LE, which has outstanding video quality for less than $80.

KT7A is $116 w/shipping (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1283) from NewEgg
1Ghz, 266FSB T-bird, retail box w/HSF is $106 w/shipping (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=41&manufactory=1028) from NewEgg
512Mb PC133 (2x256Mb) Micron SDRAM is $71.99 w/ shipping (http://www.runtimecc.com/index.rcc?SessionID=164764&view_category=3) (2nd day air) from Runtime Computer Corporation.

This gives you a grand total of $293.99 with shipping for the upgrade. These are only a reference, and you could probably find some of the components cheaper at other sites, but these guys I trust.

[Fisheagle]

Abit VP6 rules!!!!

I have just installed one of these babies and it is fantasitc absoulely fantastic.

I only have one PIII 1GHz installed as of now but this baby is sweet.

I have got it up to 1212 GHz... without a problem. Oh how sweet it is.

RAID is... wow!

Find it at: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=12 83 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1283)

For $133

http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/Motherboards/vp6.htm
http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/motherboards/abit/vp6/index.shtml

This MB is just plain elegant... period!

[This message has been edited by Fisheagle (edited 08-12-2001).]

[lprocter]

Kuasimodem, I currently have a 3d II Prophet vid card with 32 MB ram, is that sufficient enough compared to the Raedon LE? So that motherboard and processor should do me just fine huh?

[Kuasimodem]

It's hard to tell without knowing which flavor 3D Prophet II you have, but it should work just fine with the KT7A and the T-bird. I don't know if it will perform as well as the Radeon (DDR ram), but you will probably see a big performance gain over the old system.

[This message has been edited by Kuasimodem (edited 08-12-2001).]

[Peter M]

I'd prefer the ECS DDR board over any SDRAM board anytime ... and I'd stay away from KT133E boards w/ 100 MHz CPU bus at all, and especially in bandwidth hungry applications.

K7S5A saves you around $50 over KT7, which'll allow you to get 512 MByte of PC2100 DDR RAM instead of the same amount of SDRAM, and maybe even leave you with enough $ to get a faster CPU (aim for 1200/133 or 1333/133 Athlon models). The increased bandwidth and faster math are things you'll notice in video editing.

You won't notice the graphics card speed at all ... it's all about RAM bandwidth and CPU math speed. So as long as the thing gives you the 2D resolution, color depth and refresh rate you want, keep it.

regards, Peter