Abit KT7 Raid died.......

[SR71TG]

My mobo just decided to take a crap and died. I would like to replace it and keep the same processor and memory and continue to use the two hard drives. It appears that this board is no longer made and either I get a used one or upgrade to a newer board. What would you recommend that will allow me to continue to keep my existing processor, etc? Will a KD7 work as a direct replacement?

Thanks for your input!

 

[tcsenter]

Since you require using your existing SDRAM, your options are rather limited.

About the only 'newer' boards you can use would not have RAID, such as the Shuttle AK32E. So you would have to get an add-in RAID controller. But it features the VIA KT266A chipset, USB2.0, and offers both SDR and DDR RAM slots.

About the only RAID boards with SDR slots you'll find would be older discontinued boards using the KT133A like your KT7-Raid.

 

[lenjack]

Many kt7's went bad from faulty capacitors. They can be replaced.

 

[DancingBear]

My KT7 Raid hasn't died but I would like to dump it for a board with fewer issues. Is there a board with a different chipset (ie not a Via) that could put my SDRAM to use?

 

[Creig]

How 'bout the ECS K7S5A? You can find those in the FS/FT forum for $40 shipped, sometimes less. Two SDRAM, Two DIMM. That way you can still upgrade your memory at some later date if you come across a good deal.

 

[tcsenter]

Since I'm having trouble finding any resellers stocking the Shuttle AK32E recommended earlier, another good option is the MSI KT2 Combo-L (MS-6764) which seem to be in abundant supply. Newegg, among a few others, show them in stock. Same specs as the AK32E, largely.

My KT7 Raid hasn't died but I would like to dump it for a board with fewer issues. Is there a board with a different chipset (ie not a Via) that could put my SDRAM to use?

The aforementioned MSI board uses the very solid KT266A/VT8235 chipset. They don't come with fewer issues.

The problem here is RAID. I don't know of any XP-ready boards based on chipsets 'newer' than the KT133A that feature on-board RAID and SDRAM slots. So its either an older KT133A w/RAID, a newer KT266A without RAID (use add-in RAID card), or SIS735 without RAID (use add-in RAID card) like the ECS K7S5A Pro.

On a related note, I see that ASRock has a whole line of Pentium4 400/533MHz boards based on i845, SIS645/651, and VIA P4X chipsets that feature both SDRAM + DDR-RAM slots. A few models are certified up to P4 3.06GHz and support HT.

As does ECS (almost assuredly the same boards used by ASRock):

P4VXASD2+ V5.X

P4IBASD V3.X

P4S5A/DX+

P4S5A V5.1

P4S5MG/651+

Nifty, in case anyone was interested.

 

[ghight]

Originally posted by: Creig
How 'bout the ECS K7S5A?

I would only use this with XP or Linux and with DDR. Everything else I have tried it with was VERY unstable especially with anything USB.