M7NCD $41.95 +tax&ship

[NovaPolice]

Compgeeks has the Amptron-branded version of the (Biostar) M7NCD for $41.95 plus tax y shipping.

Compare this with the Biostar-branded version of the (Biostar) M7NCD also at Compgeeks for $51.00.

If the Biostar logo is that important to you Compgeeks suggests "Biostar OEM for Amptron - If you desire Biostar Logo, you can download appropriate BIOS at Biostar site..." and get the $9.05 difference.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Interesting. Based on my experience intalling a few of these, I think that the M7NCD is a pretty solid, decent, NF2 board. I'm confused about the Amptron/Biostar connection though. I thought that Amptron was one of the infamous PCChips' brands. Does that mean that Biostar == PCChips too? That's news to me.

Another thing that is interesting, the text specs list that the Amptron board supports up to a Duron 1.8, whilst the Biostar only lists up to a Duron 1.3. I hope that's just a typo. From comparing the pics, both boards do look identical.

Btw, here is the "Pro" version of the Biostar board, with 3 DIMM slots supporting dual-channel memory, and a BIOS that allows more overclocking options, for $62.90.

Strangely, again, that board only lists support for Duron 1.3Ghz, not 1.8. I somehow doubt that is a typo. Maybe the Amptron BIOS is newer?

 

[NovaPolice]

Hmm Biostar bios updates list

12/10/03 Added support for FSB266 Duron processors. With Biostar splash screen.
12/10/03 Added support for FSB266 Duron processors. Without Biostar splash screen.

And wow, I haven't really been paying attention to durons for a while.

 

[Killrose]

Decent deal, but this does not support dual-channel.

 

[ww4397]

It looks like (looking at the picture) the Amptron version includes an I/O shield. Nice. The Biostar M7NCD Pros (no experience with the non-Pros) I've used did not include the shield. Since I didn't have any spares around, getting a couple of them turned out to be a hassle.

Interesting, although in the picture, the item description for the Amptron does not mention the I/O shield. Yet the description for the Biostar (non-Pro) lists the shield but, the picture does not show it.

The Biostar version includes a "Symantec Application Pack CD" which, if like the one I received with the Pro version, includes Norton Ghost 2003 (OEM). That was worth something to me. The app pack doesn't look like it's included in the Amptron version.


Shipping looks to be $7 -- ground.

 

[onelove]

bump for compgeeks - good etailer. Been using this biostar board for a year and it works great (got the pro tho).

 

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Interesting. Based on my experience intalling a few of these, I think that the M7NCD is a pretty solid, decent, NF2 board. I'm confused about the Amptron/Biostar connection though. I thought that Amptron was one of the infamous PCChips' brands. Does that mean that Biostar == PCChips too? That's news to me.

Another thing that is interesting, the text specs list that the Amptron board supports up to a Duron 1.8, whilst the Biostar only lists up to a Duron 1.3. I hope that's just a typo. From comparing the pics, both boards do look identical.

Btw, here is the "Pro" version of the Biostar board, with 3 DIMM slots supporting dual-channel memory, and a BIOS that allows more overclocking options, for $62.90.

Strangely, again, that board only lists support for Duron 1.3Ghz, not 1.8. I somehow doubt that is a typo. Maybe the Amptron BIOS is newer?

Yeah, I thought ECS=PCChips=Amptron. I guess Amptron uses other MB manufacturers.

You also might want to consider NE for the Biostar version since it is $50 with free Fedex Saver shipping. The Amptron at CG is $41.95 + $7.00 ground ship (for me) = $48.95. Unfortunately since the deal at CG is a Geek's special you can't use the 10% coupons that are usually available. Also, NE shows the I/O shield comes with it.

If you need an I/O shield I found one _HERE_ that will fit with a minor modification for $3 + shipping. Look for item code A54319-001 at the bottom of the page. I had to use a little file to widen the audio jack holes on one side so that it would fit perfectly _PIC_.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Lanyap, I just went to that site you posted for the I/O shield, and they had this listed, a Seagate 4.5GB U2W 10K RPM SCSI drive, 2-year factory warranty, for only $9! Do you think that's a good deal? I see all of these people buying WD Raptor 10K RPM drives just to have faster bootup, and that solution seems like overkill to me. I've been out of the SCSI loop for a while now, do you think that running one of these for a boot drive would speed up a machine significantly? I suppose one could buy 4 or 8 of these things, and set up a killer 10K RPM RAID setup for fairly cheap.

Nevermind, I guess these drives are just used pulls. I checked the tech spec .PDF from Seagate, the factory warranty is 5 years, so these must have been in service for 3. Also apparently a 6-platter (12 head) design, so probably a bit on the noisy side. No wonder they are so cheap. LVD 68-pin though, not SCA, that's a plus.

tech specs link

Edit: my bad, the 6-platter is the 9.1GB model. The 4.5GB model only has 3 platters/6 heads, so probably not too noisy.

 

[chuck2002]

I've built computers based on the M7NCD plain vanilla version with no dual chanel. Very nice board, and is one of the cheapest name brand nf2 boards I could find @ mwave.
I was very happy with it overall and it did come with an IO shield.

 

[gtd2000]

My M7NCD Pro was DOA

Bought it as a refurb from newegg but was as new condition and appeared unopened.

Never used the board until past the 2 week return period at newegg and it costs $25 or so to ship back to Biostar for warranty repair (which sucks totally!)

To top it all off the Biostar rebate for this item never came thru even although they maintain they have sent me 3 of them to date!!!

In summary - Biostar sucks for me

ECS on the other hand have been excellent products

 

[bluebeard1]

Originally posted by: Killrose
Decent deal, but this does not support dual-channel.

Yes, It is dual channel. I own one from back on the $30 after rebate time. Nice performer and definately dual channel.

 

[bluebeard1]

Originally posted by: bluebeard1

Originally posted by: Killrose
Decent deal, but this does not support dual-channel.

Yes, It is dual channel. I own one from back on the $30 after rebate time. Nice performer and definately dual channel.

doh!!! Non pro! Not dual channel and im dumb. Sorry.

 

[geecee]

This board is now at Compgeeks for $37.99 + shipping. I have a friend who built a system on the Biostar version of this board and he loves it. As pointed out, no dual channel though. If you tack on the 2500+ they have for $65, you've got a nice little system for just over $100 (assuming that you're willing to cannibilize some parts from your old system).

 

[breweyez]

Originally posted by: onelove
bump for compgeeks - good etailer. Been using this biostar board for a year and it works great (got the pro tho).

i used to like them(compgeeks)...too many bad experiences now :thumbsdown:

 

[SolderSucker]

Originally posted by: gtd2000
My M7NCD Pro was DOA

Bought it as a refurb from newegg but was as new condition and appeared unopened.

Never used the board until past the 2 week return period at newegg and it costs $25 or so to ship back to Biostar for warranty repair (which sucks totally!)

To top it all off the Biostar rebate for this item never came thru even although they maintain they have sent me 3 of them to date!!!

In summary - Biostar sucks for me

ECS on the other hand have been excellent products

Pretty stupid way of thinking. You buy a refurb from Newegg, who doesn't test their refurbs for defects, and then don't make sure it works within your return period. Especially considering it is a Newegg style refurb, you figure you would make sure it would work. You are a silly guy.

 

[gtd2000]

Originally posted by: SolderSucker

Pretty stupid way of thinking. You buy a refurb from Newegg, who doesn't test their refurbs for defects, and then don't make sure it works within your return period. Especially considering it is a Newegg style refurb, you figure you would make sure it would work. You are a silly guy.

Which part of "as new and never been opened" and no "rebate check sent" did you not understand then?

The two events are unconnected but both relate to the Biostar product - what do you "think"?

Lots of Newegg "refurbs" are simply returns that have never been used, this may or may not be the situation nowadays though?

Call me stupid/silly if you like but at least "digest" the information that I post dude