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Home > Archive > alt.certification.a-plus > November 2002 > Motherboard question
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Motherboard question
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| I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
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| Russ S 2002-11-03, 2:23 pm |
| In my opinion mobo selection is mostly personal preference. Personally I
prefer the ASUS boards - there are several options for AMD processors.
Asus A7N266-VM, (Audio, Video) Socket A DDR
Asus A7S333, (Audio) Socket A DDR
Asus A7V333, (Audio) Socket A DDR
I would go for the A7V333 - a very nice board.
--
RussS
A+, Net+, MCP W2k
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| natural_4u 2002-11-03, 3:23 pm |
| Maybe start with a computer that is already built ...then you can upgrade
the hardware.
I've built a lot of computers and I find that this method is a lot
better/cheaper than piece by piece.
For example Pre-built :
processor · Intel® PentiumT IV 1.8AGHz 512K Socket 478
memory · 256MB PC2100 DDR memory
mainboard · MSI 645 Ultra333 (MS-6547) socket 478 DDR333
DMA controller · UDMA-100 support
ROM drives · AOpen 48x40x10 CD Writer w/Software
hard drive · Maxtor 60.0GB 7200RPM ATA-133
floppy drive · Samsung 1.44MB 3.5" int drive
video · ATI Radeon 7000 64MB AGP Video
audio · Integrated AC97' sound
communication · Acer 56k v90 voice/fax/data modem
OR D-Link 530TX 10/100 PCI network card
case · 18" ATX-styled (54.5x24x48.3CM model#850K)
power · CSA Approved P4 300 Watt ATX power supply
input device · Fujitsu 8729 PS2 keyboard
pointing device · AOpen PS2 mouse w/wheel
speakers · 580W Multimedia satellite Speakers w/subwoofer
809.00 CAD
plus tax
If this was purchased piece by piece I think it would cost more...you also
have an option to upgrade/downgrade any piece of hardware.
"bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message
news:3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
> confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
>
>
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| steve harris 2002-11-03, 3:23 pm |
| bj wrote:
> I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
> confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
ASUS A7V333 is my latest. AMD 2000XP processor.
www.anandtech.com is a pretty good place for reviews.
| |
| scrip.. 2002-11-03, 3:23 pm |
| I suggest that before you decided to buy a computer.
Try to think of the following first:
1) Cost of your budget..
2) How are you going to use the computer (games, power workstation etc.)..
After you decided how much, use of the computer, OS and upgrade.
You should also check the motherboard reviews..
Just go to google.com, type in the motherboard and model and add review..
I recommend the ECS K7s5a if your budget is not too much (very cheap and
stable but not recommended for overclocking)..
If you have some cash but not too much then get the MSI KT333 ARU (I bought
this one and it works great!!! so far running stable even overclocked..)
Now if you have tons of money then get the Dual AMD Motherboard (tyan
thunder k7)..
I know that I might get a lot of arguments here but I started of with ECS
with no problems, then upgraded to MSI (I really like this one). Maybe after
few months I would probably sell this one and build myself the Dual AMD
system using the Tyan Thunder K7..
I guess you can tell that I am an AMD fan..
Cheers.. 
Scrip..
"natural_4u" <natural_4u@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jGfx9.667649$Ag2.25497458@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
> Maybe start with a computer that is already built ...then you can upgrade
> the hardware.
> I've built a lot of computers and I find that this method is a lot
> better/cheaper than piece by piece.
> For example Pre-built :
>
> processor · Intel® PentiumT IV 1.8AGHz 512K Socket 478
> memory · 256MB PC2100 DDR memory
> mainboard · MSI 645 Ultra333 (MS-6547) socket 478 DDR333
> DMA controller · UDMA-100 support
> ROM drives · AOpen 48x40x10 CD Writer w/Software
> hard drive · Maxtor 60.0GB 7200RPM ATA-133
> floppy drive · Samsung 1.44MB 3.5" int drive
> video · ATI Radeon 7000 64MB AGP Video
> audio · Integrated AC97' sound
> communication · Acer 56k v90 voice/fax/data modem
> OR D-Link 530TX 10/100 PCI network card
> case · 18" ATX-styled (54.5x24x48.3CM model#850K)
> power · CSA Approved P4 300 Watt ATX power supply
> input device · Fujitsu 8729 PS2 keyboard
> pointing device · AOpen PS2 mouse w/wheel
> speakers · 580W Multimedia satellite Speakers w/subwoofer
>
> 809.00 CAD
> plus tax
>
> If this was purchased piece by piece I think it would cost more...you also
> have an option to upgrade/downgrade any piece of hardware.
>
>
> "bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message
> news:3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> > I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a
bit
> > confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> > makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> > Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
> >
> >
>
>
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| |
| John D. 2002-11-03, 6:23 pm |
| If you're on a tight budget, get the ubiquitous ECS K7S5A...it uses
either SDR or DDR memory (PC-133 or PC-2100)...$53.99 at
www.newegg.com (a very well-rated online vendor) with free FedEx Saver
shipping. Can't beat that.
I have two of these mobos.
John D.
"bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message news:<3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>...
> I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
> confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
| |
| Barry Watzman 2002-11-03, 7:23 pm |
| While I think that your choice of CPU and memory is a mistake, selecting
the CPU and memory type is the first step. The next step is to select
the chipset, then look at the boards supporting that combination from
the major manufacturers (Asus, Gigabyte, Abit, MSI, etc.) Also
determine if you want (or will accept) onboard audio, video or
networking, or if you want, need or will accept on-board RAID
controller, and what your needs are for USB ports.
Personally, I have a strong preference for Intel P4's and RDRAM [but
I'll review DDR again once dual channel DDR is out]. Intel has a
performance advantage over AMD, and it's going to get vastly larger with
the introduction of both Hyperthreading and faster CPUs. At this time,
AMD just cannot compete except on price. They have lots of expectations
and hope for "Hammer", but frankly I think that Hammer will be a flop,
and that AMD is doomed (LITERALLY, I think that they will cease to exist
within 2-3 years). As for memory, RDRAM (Rambus memory) is both faster
and more stable than DDR. A bit more expensive, but only about $20 or
less per 128 Megabytes, a worthwhile premium in my view.
bj wrote:
> I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
> confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
>
>
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"bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message
news:3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a bit
> confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
>
Look around and compare prices. I suggest starting at www.pricewatch.com
and looking at the difference between bare bones systems and what you get
from them and putting your own system together from pieces. Also look at
buying everything from one site, since otherwise shipping can eat up any
savings you might get by buying the cheapest of each thing.
As far as motherboards if you want reviews go to www.motherboards.org and
look at the reviews there they look at more new boards in a week than most
technicians do in 3 months.
I also like the reviews on all kinds of hardware at www.tomshardware.com
there are some good things there.
Before you buy from anybody on the internet take a look at them at
www.resellerratings.com to see what luck others have had with them. It can
save you quite a bit of hassle due to bad or nonexistent service.
Personally I use www.newegg.com for quite a bit of stuff and also
directron.com. Directron is so confident in themselves and their service
that when you finalize an order with them their page at reseller ratings
pops up.
AG
| |
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| I have the Asus A7s333 and I bought a AMD Athlon processor 1800+ but, I
can't seem to configure to run at 1.8. Can someone help here.
"AG" <atenor@email.com> wrote in message
news:bIkx9.963$jN2.157286@newsfeed.slurp.net...
>
> "bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message
> news:3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> > I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a
bit
> > confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the best
> > makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> > Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
> >
> Look around and compare prices. I suggest starting at www.pricewatch.com
> and looking at the difference between bare bones systems and what you get
> from them and putting your own system together from pieces. Also look at
> buying everything from one site, since otherwise shipping can eat up any
> savings you might get by buying the cheapest of each thing.
>
> As far as motherboards if you want reviews go to www.motherboards.org and
> look at the reviews there they look at more new boards in a week than most
> technicians do in 3 months.
> I also like the reviews on all kinds of hardware at www.tomshardware.com
> there are some good things there.
>
> Before you buy from anybody on the internet take a look at them at
> www.resellerratings.com to see what luck others have had with them. It
can
> save you quite a bit of hassle due to bad or nonexistent service.
>
> Personally I use www.newegg.com for quite a bit of stuff and also
> directron.com. Directron is so confident in themselves and their service
> that when you finalize an order with them their page at reseller ratings
> pops up.
> AG
>
>
>
| |
| Russ S 2002-11-04, 2:23 pm |
| Hey there Jay
I don't have an A7S333 around right now, but I would suggest that if you are
unable to set the speed by changing the multiplier in BIOS that you have a
good read of the mobo manual and check the setting on any jumpers on the
board.
From memory on the A7 there is a small blue block of switches - to use the
BIOS jumpering these should all be set as OFF.
--
RussS
A+, Net+, MCP W2k
| |
|
| Never mind I figured out the problem. They are supposed to run at 1.5 not
1.8 but, they beat out most 1.8 processors. This is my first time working
with a AMD chip please forgive me.
"Jay" <Name@dot.com> wrote in message
news:Vmyx9.13167$0x.12561@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
> I have the Asus A7s333 and I bought a AMD Athlon processor 1800+ but, I
> can't seem to configure to run at 1.8. Can someone help here.
> "AG" <atenor@email.com> wrote in message
> news:bIkx9.963$jN2.157286@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> >
> > "bj" <bj69@ey3.com> wrote in message
> > news:3dc574c6_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> > > I am hoping to build my new comp myself instead of buying one but am a
> bit
> > > confused about what to look for in a motherboard and which are the
best[
color=darkred]
> > > makes etc. I would like to have an AMD processor and use DDR ram.
> > > Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you give me.
> > >
> > Look around and compare prices. I suggest starting at[/color]
www.pricewatch.com
> > and looking at the difference between bare bones systems and what you
get
> > from them and putting your own system together from pieces. Also look
at
> > buying everything from one site, since otherwise shipping can eat up any
> > savings you might get by buying the cheapest of each thing.
> >
> > As far as motherboards if you want reviews go to www.motherboards.org
and
> > look at the reviews there they look at more new boards in a week than
most
> > technicians do in 3 months.
> > I also like the reviews on all kinds of hardware at www.tomshardware.com
> > there are some good things there.
> >
> > Before you buy from anybody on the internet take a look at them at
> > www.resellerratings.com to see what luck others have had with them. It
> can
> > save you quite a bit of hassle due to bad or nonexistent service.
> >
> > Personally I use www.newegg.com for quite a bit of stuff and also
> > directron.com. Directron is so confident in themselves and their
service
> > that when you finalize an order with them their page at reseller ratings
> > pops up.
> > AG
> >
> >
> >
>
>
| |
| thecomeons 2002-11-21, 3:51 am |
| asus, abit, gigabyte. reliable brands.
go with pcchips if you want to save some money. but it may not last as long.
i agree with upgrading older systems. too. you may want to built a lab to help understand networking. p200 or better is adequate. m$ give eval copies of o/s with some mspress books. |
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