VIA 686A Vs VIA 686B Chipsets

[Guest]

I'm trying to decide on which motherboard to buy for my Thunderbird Socket A. I've read most recent messages on the board, but am still confused on this point:

Which southbridge supports Ultra ATA 100?? In an article I read (http://www4.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1374&p=2) it said that the VIA 686A was upgraded to the VIA 686B in order to support Ultra ATA 100. The Abit KT7-RAID boasts that it can support Ultra ATA 100 but also has the VIA 686A southbridge (http://www4.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1374&p=4). If so, what is the difference between the two chipsets ("A" and "B")?

Also, what is the fastest processor and RAM that I can have on this board?

Thanks,
KrazyDave

 

[Guest]

I believe that the ABIT has a separate ATA100 capable controller integrated into the motherboard which is in addition to the ATA66 controller. The 686B has native support for ATA100. The controller which ABIT uses also is RAID capable which makes this motherboard suitable for a wider variety of specialized uses.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by confounded on 12/17/00 10:49 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Tormented]

Via chipset Is constructed of two chips two bridges
North Bridge and South Bridge
The north Bridge controls all of the Periferals.
I dont remeber what controls the south one..

SO Via made a 686B North bridg which is compatable to the 686a South bridge.

They only replaced the North bridge so it could support ATA100 . hope it makes it more clear .

<b>-----------------------</b>
-<font color=red><b>R.K.</b></font color=red>

 

[Crashman]

Some upgrade, that southbridge has a major problem with data integrity...Consider a newer motherboard, such as Leadtek's 735 motherboard or the Iwill XP333, or even a KT266A board if you really like VIA. These boards support DDR SDRAM, which is relatively inexpensive for it's performance.

What's the frequency, Kenneth?