Building a new PC

[collegestudent]

Hi there,

I'm new to building my own PC. I'd like to build a PIII 866, with 256 MB PC100 memory. However, I don't know which motherboard to buy. Your assistance is highly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[KotchY]

Abit be6-II, thats should be fine, even if u plan to over-clock

 

[Ulysses]

With an 866 P3, which runs on a 133 MHz FSB, you'll need PC133 (preferably CAS 2) SDRAM, not PC100 - try Mushkin.com for RAM. You should probably look for a mobo that is based on either the VIA Apollo Pro 133A chipset or the new Intel 815E (Solano 2) chipset. Avoid those using the Intel 820 chipset. Only get a mobo based on the Intel 440BX chipset, like the Abit BE6-II mentioned above, if you are a serious overclocker - and there are more stable boards available for that, like the MSI/Microstar BX Master. The BX chipset is meant for P3's that are designed for a 100 MHz system bus, not 133 like the 866, so if you get a BX board then you should get an 800 or 850 (and not an 800EB).

You should get the P3 in the newer FC-PGA form factor which fits into a Socket 370 type mobo. If you get a mobo with a Slot 1 connecter instead of Socket 370 then you'll have to get a 'slocket' adapter for the FC-PGA CPU, but that's OK. Here are some good mobos:

ASUS CUV4x Socket 370 VIA Apollo 133A ;

Giga-byte 6VX7-4X Socket 370 VIA Apollo 133A ;

MSI/Microstar BX Master Slot 1 Intel 440BX ;

ASUS CUSL2 Socket 370 Intel 815E .

The above will make a very nice system indeed.

 

[Livin4Real]

You might check out http://www.crucial.com for your memory also. That's the only place I buy mine at. They have great service and fast shipping. You do need to go with pc133 in any case.

 

[Henry Kuo]

If I were you, I won't go for a cpu that runs on 133 fsb. Just get a e series cpu, and then start o/c the cpu. Getting a 133 chip is like giving yourself a bottleneck right at the beginning.

Also, get some PC133 RAM. with your spec, I doubt if the system will even boots, coz' the cpu needs 133 fsb, but the RAM is just at 100 (don't tell me you want i820 with MTH).

As for the mobo, go for BX or the VIA 133A PRO. If you want BX board, I would say Abit BE-2. If you want VIA, I would say Asus P3V4X.

 

[Bill L.]

PIII 866, $499.00
PIII 650, tested at 866, $269.95

Pick one.

Bill

 

[Ausm]

I put my vote in for an Asus P3V4X ...quite excellent for overclocking and specifically designed to run the 133 MHZ FSB.


Ausm

 

[birddog]

I agree you should go with one of the VIA apollo Pro 133a boards.

A minor correction on rominl's response. All the VIA Apollo pro 133a boards I work on initially boot up in a "safe" mode : they initally boot up at a 66mhz bus & the memory set at clock -33mhz. This way it will makes sure it posts & lets you get into the BIOS so you can tell it what exact chip & memory you have.

I have both a Asus P3V4X and a Tyan s1850 trinity 400. If you want to overclock, the asus board is probably the best board for overclocking. If you go this way, get one of the 100 mhz processors.

If you have no interest in overclocking, I'd go with the Tyan board. It has both the slot 1 and the socket 370 CPU interfaces, it is extremely stable (Micron uses this board in all their computers), and it is a decent price (@$85). If you go this way, then use the 133mhz CPU. The Tyan board is not the greatest for overclocking since it has a smaller selection of bus speeds & no voltage adjustments in the BIOS. My Tyan board is more stable than my P3V4X when not overclocked, but the Asus board clocks better.

 

[classy]

I just moved to an Athlon 700 .18 on a KA7 100 and its sweet as can be. And it was a far better value at just over $300 total for the chip and board. But to address your supposed system, I would not buy a BX based board. They are the fastest but also there is a crap shoot with getting the video card to run right. Bill L has drop some good advice also. I would go for the Appollo pro 133a Asus brand boards. Make sure you have good memory, don't be using that cheap generic stuff.

 

[mechwarrior]

I'm also looking for a MB to upgrade a second PC. My first PC has a ASUS P34VX and I do not have any major complaints, but am looking for another option. I ran across a thread where someone recommended a Chaintech 6ATA4. Here's a review...

http://www.ixbt-labs.com/mainboards/chaintech-6ata4.html

It seems to be a positive review. I like the fact that you can increment the FSB one at a time. They were also able to OC an P3500E to 775 (155 x 5). It's also reasonably priced at www.openlinx.net for $93 + 5 shipping.

Anyone have any comments on this board?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mckeller]

System specs below. It has been running stable for 3 months now and it is a great setup.

 

[han888]

use the via board and the "E" cpu if u want to overlock, if not use the bx board! if i were u i am not going to buy p3 866, i will buy p3 700E cbo stepping!!! and overlock it