Epox 8K7A+ vs Abit KG7?

[SnowEagle]

I have seen a lot of positive reviews for both of them and seems to me that KG7 is better than 8K7A+ on memory issue since it can supports up to 4GB. However, which one is more stable and more overclockable? How about RAID?


Thanks a lot!

 

[MichaelD]

The only memory advantage the KG7 has over the 8K7A is that it can use up to 4GB of REGISTERED memory, if using regular non-parity PC2100, both board max out at 2GB. IMO, anyone who needs more than 2GB of memory is running a server and prolly wouldn't be using these mobos anyway.

Onboard (i.e. software) RAID is software raid is software raid. Get it? Abit uses the Highpoint controller and Epox uses the Promise. Same thing, essentially. If there are performance differences, they are extremely minute.

I have an Abit KT7R and it's been golden for me. I put the same mobo (but a new one!) in a comp I built for my GF and that board too, is golden. I trust Abit. So far, all the major sites (notably excepting AT...someday...**rollseyes** ) have tested the KG7R and have raved about it big-time. Right now it's selling for $160 and it's just barely getting to the online stores. In about two weeks, the board should be down to $150 or lower.

I hope I don't get flamed too badly for saying this **Dons fire-retardant suit** I have never had an Epox board. But, I've seen tens of people jump on the Epox bandwagon because "everyone's getting one" and buy an 8K7A/8K7A+. Every other post (it seems) in Motherboards or General Hardware is "Which Bios to use in my 8K7A for this or that" "Heat and instability issues with my 8K7A" or words to that affect. I'm sure there are hundreds of folks out there that have stable, well-running Epox boards. I have a problem with any product that needs to be updated (bios flash) in order to perform on par with it's competitors. That's just me though, and this is MHO.

As far as Overclocking goes, I would say the Epox would be the winner in that department, but honestly, these days powerful (1.4GHz) CPU's can be had for less than $150. Overclocking stability is iffy at best with most mobos. I'm planning on getting an Athlon4 (Pally desktop) when they come out. It will debut at 1530MHz and I will prolly not mess w/Ocing it unless I get bored and that's unlikely.

Well, hope my incessant rambling helped a little.
Either way, Abit or Epox, you'll be happy. I've just voiced my opinions, that.s all.

 

[Squibby]

Well, I'd disagree about the overclocking. IMHO, Abit is the king of overclocking with its Softmenu III. Jumpers are just not acceptable on a high-end board.

The current going price for the KG7-Raid is actually higher than MichaelD said. It's around $175-190. The KG7 (non raid, non lite) is about $150...and I'm not sure about the Lite.

Another thing is that some reviews have said that they got the board to run with four quality (i.e. Crucial, Mushkin, or Corsair) unbuffered DIMMs, it's just not officially supported. While I agree that no one would ever need 4GB of memory on anything but a huge server, I don't think that figure is what's important. It's the four DIMM slots, not the 4GB. Who has a 1GB stick of DDR ram anyway? And who would pay for one? What's great about the four slots is that you can upgrade without replacing - provided you have as much luck as some of the reviewers. For instance, I have a 256mb stick of Crucial for my KG7-Raid (due on Friday, and yes, I may be a little biased...), and I'll be able to buy more sticks of ram as I "need" more performance...although I seriously doubt that I'll ever need more than 512mb...unless M$ puts out another OS after XP before I get a whole new computer...

To quote Dennis Miller, "that's just my opinion; I could be wrong."

Squbby

 

[MichaelD]

USSA.com has the KG7-Raid for $159. Check it.

 

[ThaPeez]

Both boards use the Highpoint controller so there shouldnt be a difference in RAID performence.

 

[Squibby]

MichaelD: I stand corrected...

 

[SnowEagle]

Thanks a lot, guys!

I read some reviews, which said software menu III makes KG7 better than 8k7A+ on that issue. Seems to me that it is more flexible to change in a menu than playing with jumpers. Considering these days hard disks are so cheap, they are getting huge. And almost every computer is connected to the network, it seems to me that the days we use more than 1 GB memory is not far away.

Thanks again,