KT3 Ultra differences?

[Rordog]

Right now i'm pretty sure i'm gonna go with the MSI KT3 ultra, but I need some suggestions on which way to go.
Newegg has the MSI KT3 ULTRA (MS-6380E-010) for $81 shipped and the MSI KT3 ULTRA-ARU (MS-6380E-020) for $114 shipped.

As far as I can tell the differences are -020 model has the Promise raid controller (the one anand dissed), USB 2.0, ability to add the msi bluetooth dongle and the avance logic onboard sound chip (a fairly good sound chip according to anand's kt333). I belive the -010 model doesn't share the same audio chip b/c the msi site doesn't list spdif out as a feature (altho it still has a 6 ch. ac 97 solution).

so the question is: is it worth the extra $33 bux for the more feature laden board? and are there any other differences I'm missing between these boards?

here's my setup: I need a board that can fit the alpha 8045 that I have (this played a big factor to narrowing my choice to these msi boards and a few others), a have a herc gametheater xp, and i dont necessarily need raid. USB 2.0 would be nice, but I don't need it right now.

This leads to a follow up question: i've heard that a pci usb card could actually be better if you're going to overclock b/c oc'ing can screw with the onboard controller. even tho a usb 2 card would be about 30 bux, would it be better for overclocking in the long run to get a seperate card? since i dont really need usb2 now and i'm tight on money i could use the extra 30. Let me know if i'm wack and just should spend the 30 upfront for usb + features or just save it.

thanks

 

[Iron Woode]

If you don't need Raid then get the KT3 Ultra. A usb PCI card is better if overclocking in case the onboard controller has issues.

This is a fine board. May not be the fastest KT333 board ever made, but it works just fine.

 

[Rordog]

a couple follow up questions for anyone:

1. does the nec usb2.0 controller on the msi boards have any overclocking issues?
this is probably my biggest issue b/c if it doesn't, i may just get the higher end board (the ARU one) b/c its the same price as a pci card. but i am poor and need the cash. doh, stupid hot deals forum... : )

2. it seems to me from anand's review and other kt333 reviews that most of the boards are within a few percentage points of one another in terms of speed. even if this isn't the "fastest" am i really missing that much speed (me thinks no, but...). Also, what is the supposedly fastest kt333 board?

thanks

 

[tenoc]

Hmmmm. The RU has Raid, USB 2.0 and maybe better on-board sound.

You say you don't need Raid or USB 2.0 or any on-board sound.

Hmmmm, tough choice!

 

[CrazySaint]

I think the EPoX 8K3A/+ is the fastest, followed by the Gigabyte 7VRX/P and the Asus A7V333/-R (which is also one of the more expensive, but has its advantages). But unless you're going to overclock, you probably won't notice the difference in speed between any of the KT333 boards (since these boards are also the best overclockers), since I think the total difference between fastest and slowest is about 5%, with the MSI board near the middle somewhere.

 

[XBoxLPU]

You forgot the ABIT KX7-333, CrazySaint...

 

[VicodiN]

Soyo kt333 Dragon! Well, I have to cheer fer it, cause thas what I have