Asus Motherboard - Deal or No?

[ZakPC]

CSO has a Asus A7V-VE for $49 ($57 shipped)
I don't see this as a part on the Asus site (probably becuase it's an HP OEM?) but it seems cheap for a brand name board that has onboard LAN, supports up to 2000+ and 1GB of SDRAM (even if it is Micro ATX) and I would be able to turn my 300MHz PII into an AMD 900 w/ this board.
I would also be getting the free speakers and mouse w/ the board.
Worth it?

 

[longhorn]

If you have a Socket A processor lying about, and have PC133 RAM, it would be a good deal.
If I was starting from scratch, I'd rather have a DDR motherboard. I have seen DDR motherboards
at Fry's for only about $10 more, brand new. They had the MSI K7T266 Pro2-U for less than $60
when I was in there just yesterday.

 

[c627627]

Yea like he said, depends on if you already have RAM or not. Shoot for DDR RAM mobo and not PC133 (let alone PC100) if you need to buy RAM in adition to mobo.

 

[ZakPC]

This is for my #3 PC, not my # 1 and I already have everything necessary for turning my #3 PII-300 into my #2 AMD 900 except a board that supports the 900.....
So you say good deal?

 

[ViperV990]

Well if he still has a PII 300 then it's very likely that he still has old PC66 (lol) sticks... although I wouldn't blindly recommending DDR right now since SDR is still way less expensive (price delta ~100% @ 512MB).

But then, Zak, unless you're going for a used/refurbished Tbird for less than $40, you're better off with a new 1600+.

Oh BTW, in case you don't know, this board, the A7V-VE, has no AGP... also, you might want to stay away from this store: 1.5 six-month RR

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: ZakPC
This is for my #3 PC, not my # 1 and I already have everything necessary for turning my #3 PII-300 into my #2 AMD 900 except a board that supports the 900..... So you say good deal?

I'd say no because chances are your #3 PC is already more powerful than you need it to be.

 

[ZakPC]

I think there was a misunderstanding of my original question so let me rephrase for possibly some more input.
If it would only cost you $49 + shipping, would you upgrade a PII-300 to a 900MHz ?
I don't need any additional parts as I already have them (RAM, CPU, etc.) - but the new board would give me one additional NIC and video card since they're on the Asus board.
If it has any bearing, I'll probably sell the machine eventually so all it will do for that is add about $60 to the price of the 900 PC as compared to the 300 PC unless I end up throwing a couple of PC133 256MB sticks in there (which I certainly could given the prices floating around officemax and best buy)
In the meantime it just sits running Kazaa so for me it won't make much of a difference except that it will be much easier for me to unload a 900 than a 300.
Given my in thread edit....any new answers?
I'm leaning towards going for it.

 

[ViperV990]

I'd stay the fudge away from CSO and get a cheap ECS or Biostar board at newegg.

 

[ZakPC]

I've never bought anything but Abit before and figured I'd give Asus a shot since it was the #1 board on the Anandtech rig stats
I don't know if I'd be willing to try an ECS but I did used to have a Biostar board I got from a friend that ran forever (and still is).

 

[sleefer]

You can get a Biostar M7VIP at Nutrend for $63.99 shipped. No onboard Lan but does have onboard sound and it's the KT333 chipset. That's only $6-7 difference.

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: ZakPC
I've never bought anything but Abit before and figured I'd give Asus a shot since it was the #1 board on the Anandtech rig stats I don't know if I'd be willing to try an ECS but I did used to have a Biostar board I got from a friend that ran forever (and still is).

Sure since you added all that, it's not at all bad. It's better to have a system ready to go just in case the worst happens.

 

[ViperV990]

Well if Biostar is ok then think about getting M7VKQ for $53 shipped. Onboard LAN, sound and video and NO AGP.

 

[Mizer]

Originally posted by: ViperV990
I'd stay the fudge away from CSO and get a cheap ECS or Biostar board at newegg.

Newegg is my first choice too. And I think I would "roll the dice" and get a refurb.

 

[porkbun]

I saw these on egay too. They are going pretty cheap (~$40-50 shipped).

 

[hychka]

I've thought about this board, but I'm worried about finding documentation to set it up correctly, as I can not find it on the ASUS homepage. Is it safe to assume that this board is the same as the other ASUS boards with very similar product numbers, except this one has video onboard?

And, how about drivers? Are these available?

 

[SAIGON]

First off this is an OEM mobo that was used by HP so if you want future bios support... Asus won't help.
Second, this is a KLE chipset which bombed big time using a Trident Blade 2D/3D video accelerator which I doubt you will have much or any driver support for the future.

If you are looking to get an ALL in One mobo, then look into SIS730 or KM133 if you want cheap but decent performance/support. But if you are willing to spend about $20 more then look into KM266 it will give you the SDRAM support with DDR as option.

All this is because it seems like you want to stay with SDRAM so you do not have to buy DDR. If not and you plan to buy RAM then get a nForce2...

Good luck.

 

[ZakPC]

Originally posted by: hychka
I've thought about this board, but I'm worried about finding documentation to set it up correctly, as I can not find it on the ASUS homepage. Is it safe to assume that this board is the same as the other ASUS boards with very similar product numbers, except this one has video onboard?

And, how about drivers? Are these available?

This was my biggest worry as well. Because it's an HP pull, there are no BIOS updates for this board on the Asus site. None of their retail boards even match this board (as far as # of PCI slots, chipset, what's on board, etc.) so there's no way you'd be able to use one put out by them. The only updates would need to be obtained from HP, and I haven't even bothered looking there yet as I don't expect much.
I don't really have the quality of CSO factoring in to my decision as some of you others do.
I have ordered from them before and the shipping is slow (when you get the minimum) but they provided good service and billing was square.
I've ordered from newegg multiple times as well and would certainly pick them over CSO given same item/ same price, but newegg's cheapest Asus is $73 - and I was going to get that until I saw this CSO board for $57 (incl. shipping).
I do appreciate the info on the chipset from SAIGON1, I think I'm now leaning back to the $73 newegg board.

 

[KiltedFool]

Right now the Biostar M7VIP board, which is apparently at least a decent board for a tight budget, is in stock at newegg for $39 shipped refurb. Of course for the original poster this may not make sense due to what kind of memory he has on hand.

Tell ya what I'll sell ya my A7A-266 I'm trying to update though the PCB revision I have I don't think it'll run a 1600.

KF

 

[hychka]

Sorry to harp on this, but how can you tell if you have set jumpers right, connected the motherboard to the case, turned on the sound system, etc., etc., without documentation from some authoritative source? My MSI boards with VGA and sound were shipped with a manual (of course) and also a CD with drivers to set up the audio and VGA. Who knows what this board might need..

Newegg also has a MSI board with video and audio and PC100/133 MS-6378X) shipped for $61 and I'm leaning toward it.

 

[blueribb]

The Biostar M7VIG supports both PC133 SDRAM and DDR memory. It's got audio, video and LAN onboard along with an AGP socket.

Great board for only $62 shipped (check Pricewatch).

I've built 4 computers using this board and I'm very happy with the performance.

 

[ZakPC]

Originally posted by: hychka
Sorry to harp on this, but how can you tell if you have set jumpers right, connected the motherboard to the case, turned on the sound system, etc., etc., without documentation from some authoritative source? My MSI boards with VGA and sound were shipped with a manual (of course) and also a CD with drivers to set up the audio and VGA. Who knows what this board might need..

Newegg also has a MSI board with video and audio and PC100/133 MS-6378X) shipped for $61 and I'm leaning toward it.

You get used to figuring these things out without manuals when necessary when you have as many spare parts as I do.
If you're lucky, the motherboard will have the power, reset, etc. headers labeled and the jumpers should not need to be changed except for the CMOS being cleared which is usually by the BIOS chip.

 

[hychka]

ZakPC,

Your last post pushed me over the top and I ordered the Biostar M7VIG from Newegg for $53 delivered. I like to "mess around" with my systems, but I really need to have a manual. The name and quality of ASUS is tempting, but not enough for me.

Thanks for all your help, guys!

 

[ZakPC]

HP Motherboard Specs

It would help if CSO gave the HP model it was pulled from to find drivers, etc. on HP's site.

 

[ZakPC]

Well it took at least 6 e-mails and a phone call but HP claims these are out of the Pavilion 521n or 521c .
I personally think this looks totally incorrect (Columbia motherbaord??) and they just fed me somehting to make me go way maybe it'll help someone so I'm posting it
Link