MSI KT3 Ultra kicks Gigabyte GA-7VRXP's a**

[Se7en01]

I have spent the past few days testing a few KT333 mobos, amounf then the Gigabyte GA-7VRXP, MSI KT3 Ultra, Epox 8K3A+, and Soyo Dragon Ultra.

MY test revealed that the MSI is the fastest most stable and compatible board. I used all of the same "Stuff" on each board, (i.e. CPU, Sound card, Memory, Case, etc..) and the MSI kicked A**. I was hoping that the Gigabyte would live up to the hype that Tom's Hardware gave it, but no go. Now, granted, I was not able to do the extensive software testing they did over there; however, in all my tests, the MSI came out on top everytime.

Example, On the Epox, Gigabyte, and Soyo, the highest 3DMark2001 score I got was 9200, (Gigabyte), on the MSI I got 9800! Yes, the Bios settings were all the same and everything else was equal. I found that my G4 ti4200 wouldn't even function well on the Gigabyte, very slow. On the MSI it was flawless.

Now I am not dissing the other boards or pitching MSI, I just though those looking for a new KT333 board might like to know.

 

[SNoWyV82]

So did you use the latest bios for all of them? This Anandtech page shows the KT3 Ultra as a middle of the line performance overall, and this page shows it as a horrible RAID performer. I am thinking/hoping that maybe MSI fixed this with their newer bios. Otherwise your results wouldn't reflect what Anandtech found to be true. If you did use the latest bios and MSI has improved the mobo's performance, this sounds like the board for me!

 

[Pardus]

Your test didnt include Abit and Asus, so it would be inconculsive.

 

[Se7en01]

Originally posted by: ActiveX
Your test didnt include Abit and Asus, so it would be inconculsive.

Yes, it WOULD be inconclusive if I had stated that this was a test of "ALL" KT333 mobos, but I didn't. All I said was that I had tested the KT3 Ultra, Gigabyte, Soyo, and Epox. I was only comparing the 4.

As for my tests, YES, I did use the latest bios and everything was the same all around on each test. The MSI was the best performer all around. If I had of included the Abit and Asus, maybe things would have been different, however, I didn't so that is a non-issue.

I mainly posted this for people who might be trying to decide between the 4 boards I listed.

SNoWyV82

As for the RAID performance I couldn't comment on that as I didn't test that option.


I beginning to wonder about the tests/reviews/shootouts on these hardware sites like Anand, Tom's, Sharkey. Are they really unbiased? Is there a sponsor aspect there? I dunno, but I decided to test these things for myself and go with what worked BEST for "ME" The MSI was the winner.

BTW, there is a great Setting guide for the MSI board Here That really helps setting it up to run great.

**Just trying to be helpful, if I left out your favorite mobo, so sorry. Get over it.

 

[RoninRXN]

I hope I have a similar experience when my KT3 Ultra-ARU arrives to replace my GA-7VRXP. That stupid board just wouldn't freakin' work.

 

[TheDarkHorizon]

Thanks Se7en01 for this post. At first I was going to get a Gigabyte GA-7VRXP, but I heard there were SO many problems with it, that it was not worth the headache. Now I am going for the MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU.

 

[Huma]

my bro got an gigabyte GA-7VRX and it kept locking up with his gf4 ti4200.

when it did finish 3dmark, it scored 7100. he swapped for an asus and it ran 8900 3dmarks.

 

[VTrider]

Se7en01 / Huma:

It seems that there may be an issue with GF4 cards and the GA-7VRXP, based on many other threads this is fixed by upping the AGP voltage. Any comments on this anyone?

-VTrider