help with KT266A board choice ..

[palominon00b]

of these three, which would you get and why?

Epox EP-8KHA+

Soltek SL-75DRV2

MSI K7T266 Pro2 (MS-6380)

thanks in advance ..

 

[Rainsford]

I plan on buying the Epox one because I like the low price, and the good things I've heard about it.

 

[billyjak]

Out of the 3 , I would go with the Epox, I built 2 of them a short while ago and they are nice stable boards.

 

[Mem]

I like my Epox 8KHA+ a lot so you know my answer it`s very easy to setup and stability is excellent.

 

[goog]

Of those three my votes for the Epox, though you might want to hold out about a month for the 8kha2.

 

[senior guy]

<< ....you might want to hold out about a month for the 8kha2. >>

It will add a RAID controller, but if you don't want RAID, there's not much else to wait for!

 

[birddog]

I just put one together with the MSI board. One of the smoothest builds I have ever done. For $105 (newegg.com), it was not a bad price either.

 

[ConFuseMe]

I would recommend the MSI board. Although supposedly rated a little slower in speed than other mobos of the same chipset it makes up for it in stability.
I should mention the Epox board you want is also $105 at newegg.com though. So there's no difference price wise that will help you make up your mind.

 

[goog]

<<

<< ....you might want to hold out about a month for the 8kha2. >>

Have you read anything about it (if so, what), or is this pure speculation? >>



I have, but it seems to be getting harder to find out about, nothing I can find on Epox's site currently. I have also read that it may be delayed due to the VIA issues currently circulating, but that is pure speculation.
Anand mention

Will try a search again in a couple days when I've got some time to spare.

 

[microAmp]

EPoX! Now shipping with Rev. 2 boards and 'U' BIOS

Had it for 2 days nows, nice, stable, no compliants unlike their 7KXA boards

 

[AZGamer]

Epox 8KHA+ - High quality, great perfomance board.

 

[bobcpg]

EPOX.

Otherwise, I've had excellent luck with the shuttle boards (although, don't get it if you plan on OCing XPs (voltage issue with XP's)). I've got my FSB at 162!!! I've built 4 systems with this board, and it always runs great.

 

[palominon00b]

thanks, any others???

 

[o1die]

I have a shuttle ak31 version 3.1, and it runs fine at 138fsb. I'm going to crank it up as soon as I receive my new power supply. If you are a serious overclocker, I would also go with the Epox 8KHa+.

 

[senior guy]

Epox - It's superior oc'ing features aside, according to TomsHardware's shootout it beat the pants off the Shuttle in every bench - at stock default settings!

And the Soltek is a big unknown with very questionable support.

 

[palominon00b]

wow, overwhelming support for the epox .. time for a new thread

 

[TightHardware]

I wouldnt go with any of them ... my choice is the soyo dragon plus... stable mobo.... raid, 5.1 one sound, lan all in one bundle... and tomshardware.com gave it a great review.... that would be my choice

the thing even includes a usb/ smartmedia card tray!

-TH

 

[PowerEngineer]

I've also been scouting out KT266A boards for a new machine, and have read Tom's review that Tight referenced. I'm thinking you may have too, since you listed the Soltek board. Tom really liked the Soyo Dragon Plus too, and I've had it penciled in as my tentative choice. I notice that you currently have a Soyo board, and wonder if you've had trouble with it. I sure would appreciate anyone's comments on Soyo and on the Dragon Plus. Thanks!

 

[anime]

dont buy MSI KT266a board. You can go with soltek, shuttle, epox, or even soyo. I've tried epox, soyo, keeping shuttle boards. They are all good board.

 

[palominon00b]

the Dragon Plus is like night and day difference from the Soyo board I currently have, Dragon + is just too expensive for me ..

 

[anime]

want cheap go with shuttle board.

 

[Beatles]

Another vote for the Epox. Fast, super stable and emminently OCable.

 

[Scooter]

Epox EP-8KHA+

 

[Lysimachus]

Are you guys forgetting about the Shuttle AK35GTR KT266A???????????????

Are you forgetting that this board might be better than the Epox 8KHA+?????

Yes, it's NEW!

Also, read the reviews that Newegg gives:

Newegg


My question is, why is it that it was said that this Shuttle board would be around $80? (same as the AK31) Now it's finally available from Newegg, and the price is $129.00!

Does anyone here know much about this board?

 

[CraigRT]

my vote goes for the Soltek or the MSI... too many DOA problems with the 8KHA boards the local dealers told me... that scares me!

MSI is exceptional quality and legendary MSI stability.. the Soltek is solid too apparently. (I'd buy one for my own system I think)