I'm thinking about jumping ship...

[TurboQuattro]

I'm getting sick of the shoddy quality and lack of consistent support offered by motherboard makers for AMD CPU's. First we have the infamous agp issues with KX133 chipsets and Win2000 (I currently have a KA-7) Then we have SDRAM stability issues. 2 months ago I purchase a Gigabyte GA-7DX and this board was a complete POS from the start, hanging during restart, IDE unstable, mysterious reboots (I edit photo's and that REALLY pisses me off when I lose even 5 minutes of work) so I ditch that POS and put back my now stable KA-7. Today I ordered an EPoX EP-8KHA+ and go to download the latest BIOS in anticipation of getting my new board (for the T-bird 1.2ghz I bought with the Gigacrap) and their site is down, and I learned here it has been for days?!? So what if they now have an alternate site, this is pathetic! It doesn't make me very confident in this company. I never had any issues with my Intel stuff, I know they are in bed with MS but I am seriously thinking about forgetting AMD and their superior performance and going with Intel and their (somewhat) better reliability! ARRRGH!

Maybe I'll chuck it all and buy a stupid Mac!

 

[rondeemc]

Maybe it is more of a choice in the boards you have been buying. I started using MSI when I found out anandtech was using them for their servers. Have done about 15 systems with them including two raided servers an have had no problems with the boards. When I visited amdmb forums seems like epox didn't have the highest rating (no flame please ) I would consider an Asus or MSI before Epox.


BTW
I would guess you own an Audi? I used to have a 5000 Turbo Quattro Wagon which I miss dearly.

 

[Pabster]

The issues are not with AMD processors. These issues arise 99% of the time from chipset troubles -- most often a VIA chipset "issue". Avoid VIA like the plague and you'll find your AMD experience great!

 

[MoFunk]

Motherboard manufacturers are pumping stuff out to fast to me. Try to find and AMD board that has been out for a bit and has had the fixes it needs. I have an Epox 8k7a and It has been rock solid! I watched the hype on these boards here for a while and once I saw that people were starting to get stable ones, I bought. Try not to jump on the newest version.

 

[aswedc]

I'm getting sick of the shoddy quality and lack of consistent support offered by motherboard makers for Intel CPU's. First we have the infamous memory issues with 820 chipsets and SDRAM. Then we have 1.13Ghz PIII stability issues. A year ago I purchase a SuperPower 6XW (i810) and this board was a complete POS from the start, PCI compatibility issues, IDE unstable, mysterious lockups, jittery video(It REALLY pisses me off when I lose even 5 minutes of work) so I ditch that POS and put back my Gigabyte AMD 751 motherboard. Today I'm thinking of ordering a Epox 6VBA1 and go to download the latest BIOS in anticipation of getting my new board (for my old celeron) and their site is down, and I learned here it has been for days?!? So what if they now have an alternate site, this is pathetic! It doesn't make me very confident in this company. I never had any issues with my AMD stuff, I know they aren't as well known but I am seriously thinking about forgetting Intel and their superior reputation and going with AMD and their (somewhat) better performance! ARRRGH!

(All of the above is true, and I would NEVER buy a mac )

 

[MoFunk]

OK.....TurboQuattro and aswedc trade with eachother!

 

[TurboQuattro]

<< The issues are not with AMD processors. These issues arise 99% of the time from chipset troubles -- most often a VIA chipset "issue". Avoid VIA like the plague and you'll find your AMD experience great! >>



I know they are definately not the processors, and the blame lies with the chipsets. We all knw AMD makes the best processors hands down. If this EPoX board doesn't work out, maybe I will have to take rondeemc's advice and try MSI, I have never heard anything bad about them. How about AMD's 761 chipset?

 

[TurboQuattro]

<<

(All of the above is true, and I would NEVER buy a mac ) >>



Well...I'm still going to buy a Mac, but it's going to be for my girlfriend for her birthday in March (shhh!), she fell in love with the new iMac and quite frankly I think it's pretty cool myself. plus she's getting sick of me tearing apart "her" computer occasionally (she uses my K6-2) And the iMac is so small we can fit it in our living room (we have a pretty small house)

 

[AA0]

MSI is not on my trusted list, the server that anand used with a MSI board was something they wouldn't have used if they had known what would happen with a huge # of MSI boards. They just die on you, no warranty, nothing. Someone from anand here said that it was a mistake to take them. Choose Asus boards, never had a problem, always make a stable board.

 

[rondeemc]

TurboQuattro

Since you don't have your mail active I will ask here. I have items left over from my Audi days (87 & 90 Quattros). Many of the parts from the 87 were compatible with your model. I think I have a window regulator, door handles, etc. If you are interested I can send you a list when I clean out the storage area and ship you what you want. Hate to just toss it in the trash.


Forgot to mention Iwill makes some nice boards also.

old anand tech link to MSI stability test

 

[Mikelh]

I jumped ship from MSI to DFI and I'm very satisfied!

AMD is still my CPU of choice.

Michael

 

[Mustanggt]

I have had 2 MSI boards both RMA, I have no problems with the via chipset, Im running that Epox 8KHA+ solid as a rock at 148FSB. go to this website AMD It has the bios you need and all the other info. big mistake going over to intel you will allways pay alot more for that next upgrade. good luck

 

[TurboQuattro]

<< TurboQuattro

Since you don't have your mail active I will ask here. I have items left over from my Audi days (87 & 90 Quattros). Many of the parts from the 87 were compatible with your model. I think I have a window regulator, door handles, etc. If you are interested I can send you a list when I clean out the storage area and ship you what you want. Hate to just toss it in the trash.


Forgot to mention Iwill makes some nice boards also.

old anand tech link to MSI stability test >>



Do you have the rings off the front grille? And I may be interested in a window regulator.

 

[BlueScreenVW]

<< When I visited amdmb forums seems like epox didn't have the highest rating (no flame please ) I would consider an Asus or MSI before Epox >>


I think quite a lot of those problems with Epox boards are either the "no soft reboot with 150+ MHz FSB overclocking" or some kind of DOA issue, often because of too little RTFM being done. A fewcomplain about the 5V "issue" also, but those 4.8-4.9 volts they get are hardly associated with low stability (in the posts).

Personally I use an 8KHA+ and am very satisfied with the stability. The board I have goes up to at least 170 MHz FSB-wise, so there's a lot of headroom for later overclocks. All in all it's a great board if you can do without RAID.

 

[rondeemc]

Sorry no rings. I do have a door handle, a regulator somewhere, and some of the expensive hydralic fluid you are welcome to. I think there is a fan motor but the 5000 turbo had a larger unit (I believe) then the 4000 and had three stages for cooling. Also have a set of springs which are in great condition. Much stiffer then the stock 4000 I believe but I also think they are a different size. Replaced them with H&R to lower the vehicle and get better cornering which it did. I had the wagon for around eight years and it seems like I was constantly replacing door handles and window regulators, and window swithces. Think I have some of the seat heater switches also.

Ron

 

[Trip2way]

Have to agree that Asus boards are very stable but I still perfer Abit...currently have the KT7A-Raid.

 

[KouklatheCat]

I kinda thought the Epox 8KHA+ would be a crappy board when I first got mine. I figured I would install the board and put my ASUS A7V back in after an hour or so of swearing at the Epox board. So far (knocking on wood) I have had NO problems with the Epox. I have not updated the bios or done anything to it (other then disable onboard sound). I think mine had U= printed a sticker on the bios chip. I have been to lazy to look under the sticker and see what version chip I have. I think you will have good luck with the Epox.

 

[Wind]

I owned Asus A7V133 & happy w/ it. Then buy another Epox 8KHA+ & even happier (coz cheaper & just as stable as Asus).

Also owned Abit BH6 & tht mobo is stable as rock.

Really, every chipset got probs when they first started out. Eventually, it will mature & have less bug. Tht's the wonder of technology. No problems...no improvement.

 

[TBC]

I agree, the motherboard manufacturers are putting things out without even testing the dang things anymore. I just purchased a ECS K7S5A and this thing is giving me major problems.

I should have listened in the first place to all the people who complained about this board.

Its to the point now the ONLY way I can get this thing to boot is by physically unplugging the computer from the wall outlet, then plugging it back in.

I guess I kind of figured these problems would be fixed by now with the latest batch from Newegg, but obviously not. ECS just plain doesn't care.

 

[jfunk]

I don't think thats your board. I think your power supply isn't sufficient.


j

 

[AA0]

power supply isn't really a problem anymore, since barely anyone ships 250Ws now, 300 is standard, and despite what some people think, it is more than enough.

 

[rondeemc]

I am not sure that the PS variable can be removed. Even if he has a 300 there are several poor performing ones out there. I think it is a valid concern. I have seen numerous posts where replacing a 300 with a quality unit of identical rating has resolved their issues.

And I am still seeing Dell and Compaq shipping units with less then 300 watts

 

[TurboQuattro]

<< I don't think thats your board. I think your power supply isn't sufficient.


j >>



I have an Antec 300w supply, it's a very high quality power supply. I don't think it's the problem, but if I have the same issues with the EPoX board I will look into getting a 350W or higher. But I doubt it's an issue since I'm only running one HD.

 

[rondeemc]

Antec makes great supplies and based on your system specs I can't see where you would be exceeding the unit. I have two of those in service using 1.0g and raids and multiple video cards, they have given me no problems

 

[joe4324]

I've built 12 system with K7S5A's, never RMA'd one.

check your power supplies, I dont care what wattage it says. that doesnt really mean S$$T I've got a generic 420w that puts out less on half of its lines then my enermax 330w.

If you have another power supply put it in there. and see what happens. read the labels and follow the ks75a instructions and MOST importantly. check out the k7s5a FAQ at oc workbench. I dont have a link I'm at work but others have posted it here so do a search. If you dont go there already this place *IS* the k7s5a place.

There is a chance that the motherboard could be culprit but make sure everything else is CORRECT first. and if you go through 3 or 4 boards. then its probably not the board. the chances of that are almost astronomical of course its an easy scapegoat for people though.

"this board sux! I've rma'd it 5 times and it still dont work!" yeah, that sounds like the boards fault *sarcasm*