Good All Around Socket A Mobo

NickS

New member
Hey everyone. I recently upgraded an ABS PC with a Athlon XP 2000+, ATi 9700 Pro, SB Audigy, and 2x 512MB Kingston PC2700 ValuRam (One Single Sided, the other Double Sided.) for my dad's friend.

The motherboard was kind of flakey since he bought this PC 3 yrs ago. It would always no matter what, even the day he got it, hang when you rebooted the PC. Well, he Wanted to upgrade to a 3000+, so he decided hell, why not buy a new mobo. The mobo that came with the ABS was a MSI KT4AV, so we bought another. Great, we get everything together, reformat, install all the drivers, and try a game. Damn, it freezes. So we try 3D Mark 2003. That exits out to the desktop with a Send Error Report message.

So, I try different drivers, raising memory voltage, raising AGP Voltage 0.1v, tried Raising timings, tried both of the sticks independantly, etc. Still no go!

Everything is at default now.

Well, today we decided to investigate deeper.

I first swapped the 9700Pro out for a GeForce 2 GTS, to eliminate the PSU as a possible suspect, which btw is the same model Enermax 350w that has powered my PC with my P4 in it, so that should be fine, anyway.

Then we tried the 9700Pro in MY pc, and it worked great!

So, then we tried the 9700Pro in the ABS with my psu, and it still froze, so there again, it isn't his PSU.

Now, that leaves us with the motherboard. I don't think the mobo is busted, so it isnt worth RMA'ing, as another, nVidia AGP card, works in there.

Obviously it's the Motherboard, so what is the best Socket A motherboard out there for reliability, stability, and nice features, and not an MSI.

This PC won't be overclocked, or benchmarked. It's for casual gaming and web surfing.

I was thinking VIA Chipset but don't they have numerous issues with Sound Blasters and ATi's? I was also thinking about nForce, but, they're picky with RAM (aren't they?)

I was looking at SiS, but I've never had any experiences with SiS, except for my friends MSI SiS board that sucked. Maybe cos it was an MSI, but, that's a whole other topic.

Anyway, could someone throw out a few suggestions?

Thank's. And please, try to keep it at a reasonable price. ATX-Size board, for ~$80 or less.

Thanks, again.

I was looking @ the following.

(In order by choice)

  1. Giga-Byte GA-7VT600 1394
  2. EPoX EP-8VTAI
  3. ABIT KV7-V
Obviously I would buy the Giga-Byte because I have had a flawless relationship with them, so that's why I'm leaning towards it. That EPoX is also nice. The ABIT, is ok.
 
NickS_ said:
Hey everyone. I recently upgraded an ABS PC with a Athlon XP 2000+, ATi 9700 Pro, SB Audigy, and 2x 512MB Kingston PC2700 ValuRam (One Single Sided, the other Double Sided.) for my dad's friend.

The motherboard was kind of flakey since he bought this PC 3 yrs ago. It would always no matter what, even the day he got it, hang when you rebooted the PC. Well, he Wanted to upgrade to a 3000+, so he decided hell, why not buy a new mobo. The mobo that came with the ABS was a MSI KT4AV, so we bought another. Great, we get everything together, reformat, install all the drivers, and try a game. Damn, it freezes. So we try 3D Mark 2003. That exits out to the desktop with a Send Error Report message.

So, I try different drivers, raising memory voltage, raising AGP Voltage 0.1v, tried Raising timings, tried both of the sticks independantly, etc. Still no go!

Everything is at default now.

Well, today we decided to investigate deeper.

I first swapped the 9700Pro out for a GeForce 2 GTS, to eliminate the PSU as a possible suspect, which btw is the same model Enermax 350w that has powered my PC with my P4 in it, so that should be fine, anyway.

Then we tried the 9700Pro in MY pc, and it worked great!

So, then we tried the 9700Pro in the ABS with my psu, and it still froze, so there again, it isn't his PSU.

Now, that leaves us with the motherboard. I don't think the mobo is busted, so it isnt worth RMA'ing, as another, nVidia AGP card, works in there.

Obviously it's the Motherboard, so what is the best Socket A motherboard out there for reliability, stability, and nice features, and not an MSI.

This PC won't be overclocked, or benchmarked. It's for casual gaming and web surfing.

I was thinking VIA Chipset but don't they have numerous issues with Sound Blasters and ATi's? I was also thinking about nForce, but, they're picky with RAM (aren't they?)

I was looking at SiS, but I've never had any experiences with SiS, except for my friends MSI SiS board that sucked. Maybe cos it was an MSI, but, that's a whole other topic.

Anyway, could someone throw out a few suggestions?

Thank's. And please, try to keep it at a reasonable price. ATX-Size board, for ~$80 or less.

Thanks, again.

I was looking @ the following.

(In order by choice)

  1. Giga-Byte GA-7VT600 1394
  2. EPoX EP-8VTAI
  3. ABIT KV7-V
Obviously I would buy the Giga-Byte because I have had a flawless relationship with them, so that's why I'm leaning towards it. That EPoX is also nice. The ABIT, is ok.

You are defently right. Go with the VIA Chepsets !

Persoanly i would say you should take the EpoX because epox is realy damn trustworthy and manufactures quality ware.

Sure The Gigabyte is good to but i have problems to believe that Gigabyte is manufacturing real quality ware ;)

I wouldnt take the last one you listed because it has an older chipset.

But tell me why not MSI ? I have a great MSI - K7N Delta here. Its socket a and its working great.

---MY DECISION---

If i would have to buy a Socket A Motherboard at the moment my decision would be easys. I would take the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe : http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131478

It has endless features, good OC and incredible performance. Its no VIA Chipset.

-> Before i got my MSI i had the ASUS A7N8X and i loved it. Why i dont have it anymore ? During modding my case i did somethin wrong and at the next restart my Motherboard "blew up" ;)
 
NickS_ said:
Hey everyone. I recently upgraded an ABS PC with a Athlon XP 2000+, ATi 9700 Pro, SB Audigy, and 2x 512MB Kingston PC2700 ValuRam (One Single Sided, the other Double Sided.) for my dad's friend.

The motherboard was kind of flakey since he bought this PC 3 yrs ago. It would always no matter what, even the day he got it, hang when you rebooted the PC. Well, he Wanted to upgrade to a 3000+, so he decided hell, why not buy a new mobo. The mobo that came with the ABS was a MSI KT4AV, so we bought another. Great, we get everything together, reformat, install all the drivers, and try a game. Damn, it freezes. So we try 3D Mark 2003. That exits out to the desktop with a Send Error Report message.

So, I try different drivers, raising memory voltage, raising AGP Voltage 0.1v, tried Raising timings, tried both of the sticks independantly, etc. Still no go!

Everything is at default now.

Well, today we decided to investigate deeper.

I first swapped the 9700Pro out for a GeForce 2 GTS, to eliminate the PSU as a possible suspect, which btw is the same model Enermax 350w that has powered my PC with my P4 in it, so that should be fine, anyway.

Then we tried the 9700Pro in MY pc, and it worked great!

So, then we tried the 9700Pro in the ABS with my psu, and it still froze, so there again, it isn't his PSU.

Now, that leaves us with the motherboard. I don't think the mobo is busted, so it isnt worth RMA'ing, as another, nVidia AGP card, works in there.

Obviously it's the Motherboard, so what is the best Socket A motherboard out there for reliability, stability, and nice features, and not an MSI.

This PC won't be overclocked, or benchmarked. It's for casual gaming and web surfing.

I was thinking VIA Chipset but don't they have numerous issues with Sound Blasters and ATi's? I was also thinking about nForce, but, they're picky with RAM (aren't they?)

I was looking at SiS, but I've never had any experiences with SiS, except for my friends MSI SiS board that sucked. Maybe cos it was an MSI, but, that's a whole other topic.

Anyway, could someone throw out a few suggestions?

Thank's. And please, try to keep it at a reasonable price. ATX-Size board, for ~$80 or less.

Thanks, again.

I was looking @ the following.

(In order by choice)

  1. Giga-Byte GA-7VT600 1394
  2. EPoX EP-8VTAI
  3. ABIT KV7-V
Obviously I would buy the Giga-Byte because I have had a flawless relationship with them, so that's why I'm leaning towards it. That EPoX is also nice. The ABIT, is ok.

try not to get the gigabyte motherboard im having toubles with mine lol fucking piece of shit im pissed off
 
Se i loved my giga-byte omfg. It was amazing. Anyway, so maybe I should go with the epox? That one asus board is nice, but too much $$.

anymore opinions?

I think i'mma opt for the KT600 version of the EPoX as i dont think his ram would work in dual channel mode.

(one single sided one double sided)

anyway.

does anyone know of MSI KT4AV Motherboard Issues with ATi Video Cards?
 
mm, nice find frag. will it work in single or dual channel mode stabily with one stick of Kingston ValuRam (single sided) and one stick of Kingston ValuRam (double sided) both PC2700?
 
NF 2 schould work with that.

-> BTW I allready had this epox there. Its realy nice. It unlocks AMD T-Bred processor Multiplyers automatically.
 
personally... I dont like Abit that much that i would trust them. The Fatalities are good but the normal ones... nah.
 
My friend has a LGA fatal1ty. It's ok. Personally, I wouldn't ever buy it, even if it was an AMD one. This pc is also going to be always run @ stock, so.

Anyway, alrighty! Looks like the EPoX nForce 2 Ultra 400 it is! Thanks for finding it FragTek! :D
 
I'm sorry, has the world gone mad while I've been away? Why are we even contemplating a VIA sktA mobo? In the days of 462, VIA sucked teh fat one. Nforce2 kicks it all over the house and out the door. Nforce - not VIA!
 
nicks ill sell u an MSI K7N2 Delta ILSR for 50 dollars , fresh rmaed back from the factory :D .

msg me on aim if your interested . I also have an AN7 if ur interested in that ;) .
 
name='muffin' said:
I'm sorry, has the world gone mad while I've been away? Why are we even contemplating a VIA sktA mobo? In the days of 462, VIA sucked teh fat one. Nforce2 kicks it all over the house and out the door. Nforce - not VIA!

Yo muffin at the Socket A Time Suddenly VIA came up with the KT 800 and beat Nvidias Ass. ATM Via cant compete with the NF4. :D

Hey yeah i would take Bournes there. I have the Ultra Light version of it and its pretty good.
 
NickS_ said:
My friend has a LGA fatal1ty. It's ok. Personally, I wouldn't ever buy it, even if it was an AMD one. This pc is also going to be always run @ stock, so.

Anyway, alrighty! Looks like the EPoX nForce 2 Ultra 400 it is! Thanks for finding it FragTek! :D

Np Nick... That's a kick ass board, it won't dissapoint! Plus you have all the overclocking potential in the world with it if you ever do decide to take that route :D
 
Poor Nick

I wish you would have consulted us first before buying those components. You could have bought a NF7-S (which is probably the best NF2 board), 2600+ XP-M, and PC3200 memory.

The beauty with XP-M processors is, they have unlocked multipliers, and they run on 45w of power (as opposed to their 65w XP counterparts). Point being is, you can overclock the hell out of an XP-M, get the same performance as a 3200+ and you don't need to spend the extra money on a 3200+ (they should run on comparable VCore's.

Then you would have a 200mhz FSB (as opposed to a 166mhz FSB), DDR400 memory, and a few extra bucks in your pocket.

You can never rule out the PSU when you are having problems though. For a NF2 board, the enermax 465w is the best bang for your buck.
 
RollerCam540 said:
I wish you would have consulted us first before buying those components. You could have bought a NF7-S (which is probably the best NF2 board), 2600+ XP-M, and PC3200 memory.

The beauty with XP-M processors is, they have unlocked multipliers, and they run on 45w of power (as opposed to their 65w XP counterparts). Point being is, you can overclock the hell out of an XP-M, get the same performance as a 3200+ and you don't need to spend the extra money on a 3200+ (they should run on comparable VCore's.

Then you would have a 200mhz FSB (as opposed to a 166mhz FSB), DDR400 memory, and a few extra bucks in your pocket.

You can never rule out the PSU when you are having problems though. For a NF2 board, the enermax 465w is the best bang for your buck.

EPOX are heeps good boards lol ;)
 
And if you ever got on the market for a true kickass Socket A board check out the 8RDA6+ Pro... That's a straight gangsta ass mobo!
 
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