Upgrade time: What to get ? (KT266a, AMD Chipset)

[Guest]

Some quick opinions on what everyone recommends. I'm looking to upgrade next week, So far I'm stuck on Via's KT266a chipset, But my co-worker is telling me AMD's chipset might be what I want for stability. I'm not looking to overclock, maybe sometime in future I might. But right now it won't make a difference to me.

Right now I'm looking at getting one of these boards:
ABIT KR7-RAID , Soltek SL-75DRV2 and the Soyo SY-K7V (Dragon Plus!)

I'm looking for stability and speed, I'd rather sacrifice speed for stability though.

 

[FatBurger]

Please, it's KR7<font color=red>a</font color=red>-RAID. Abit never made a board based on the KT266 chipset.

If you're going KT266a, I recommend the MS K7T266 Pro2-RU (for USB2.0 support). If you're going AMD761, get the Abit KG7-RAID.

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>

 

[ryant]

FYI, Soyo will be coming out with a Dragon Ultra in mid March or there abouts which will be the same as the Plus, excepting DDR333, ATA133, and USB 2.0 support. I'm not ready to get my MB yet, and probably won't be till at least March or later, so waiting works for me. It may not for you. YMMV, as they say.

 

[Guest]

Any favorite online stores you guys like to use for purchasing hardware ? Other then using pricewatch.com's search.

 

[Stick_e_Mouse]

Don't get any motherboard using those chipsets.
Instead, get one that uses either SiS' 745 chipset or Ali's Ali Magik 1 (revision-C) chipset. Those are the chipsets to look for if you want stability and compatability.

Check out Britney Spears' (o)(o) <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/stick_e_mouse" target="_new">hooters</A>!!!

 

[LastStop]

I haven't had a single problem with my KT266A board thank you very much.

 

[rossyl]

What about the Soltek?

There is now a SL-75DRV4

Some features from the Soltek site.
?œ VIA VT8366A + VT8233A chipset
?œ FSB 266/200 MHz
?œ Supports DDR SDRAM @ 266/200 MHz
?œ Supports Ultra ATA 133/100/66
?œ Multiplier Setting
?œ BIOS FSB Setting
?œ AGP, DIMM Voltage Setting
?œ RedStorm Overclocking
?œ SmartDoc. Anti-Burning Shield
?œ SCR (Smart Card Reader) Interface
?œ Optimized for all Socket-A processors

VIA KT266A (VT8366A + VT8233A)

VT8366A:


- 552 BGA
- Features 266/200MHz Front Side Bus settings
- 266/200MHz Memory Bus
- V-Link Hub Architecture, 266MHz link between the North and South Bridge
- Supports AGP 4X/2X
- PC2100/PC1600 compliant


VT8233A:

- 376 BGA
- Supports Ultra ATA-133/100/66 transfer protocol
- Provides AC'97 Audio
- Support for four USB Ports (max.)


Other Features
?œ Multiplier Setting ?œ RedStorm Overclocking
?œ BIOS FSB Setting ?œ Ultra ATA 66/100/133
?œ BIOS Vcore setting ?œ AC'97 Audio Function
?œ AGP Voltage Setting ?œ DIMM Voltage Setting
?œ SCR (Smart Card Reader) Interface ?œ H/W Monitor
?œ SmartDoc. Anti-burning Shield

Any good?



"If you think too much, you get confused"<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by rossyl on 01/25/02 04:54 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[FatBurger]

I get all my stuff at <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com" target="_new">Newegg</A>, even if it costs a little more.

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>