Need Advice about Motherboards

[Muavro]

I am a distraught owner of a Compaq computer *sigh* yes, Compaq. I've wanted to build a computer on my own for quite some time, but wanna have some questions answered before i start buying things. I know you guys have probably answered questions to computer newbies, such as myself, but i havent been able to find too many answers.

First one: What do you think is the best AMDXP Mobo? I know ASUS has the reputation of being the best, but i have no proof to back this up.

Second: Is there really a big difference between DDR 2100 and DDR 2700 (3000, etc)? cause i want a good mobo, but dont know if its worth spending the extra bucks on higher end RAM.

Third: Is RAID worth it?

I want a great computer (not the best possible), but one i can depend on, as well as one i can be proud of. Suggestions about a mobo? Preferably under $150

 

[Boonesmi]

asus is good, but the price is so high i dont really recommend them

i like the epox 8k3a (kt333 chipset... probably the best of all the current chipsets available)
asus a7v333 is good too, but not cheap... it also uses the kt333 chipset

ddr 1600/2100/2700/etc are all the same stuff.. the only difference is the speed its rated to run at.... so if your going to run at 133mhz then pc2700 will perform identical to pc2100..... but if you plan to overclock or run your ram faster then 133mhz then you might want pc2700 (just cause you know it will be able to run at those faster speeds, the pc2100 may or maynot be able to)

the extra performance of raid isnt that good, but alot of people like onboard raid just cause it gives you the extra ata channels (the non raid board only support up to 4 ide devices, if you have onboard raid controller you can use it as plain ata and then you can run up to 8 ide devices)

 

[oldfoof]

Yeah Epox Forsure. I have the EPOX 8KHA+

And it is rock
Solid

 

[conlan]

I'm an Asus fan, however i recently built a rig for a buddy using an IWill XP-333, and it's a damn nice Mobo for the $$. I't been running rock solid for them and they have 7 kids who are on it all the time.

 

[broadwayblue]

i'm getting ready to upgrade my asus a7v133 which i've had running 24/7 for 13 months now with 1 crash. not too shabby. i will definitely be looking at asus again.

 

[CoDerEd]

ASUS is good and stable, you have to pay extra for the price though.

 

[birddog]

I have been impressed by the Shuttle AK31 rev3.1. For a sub $80 board it is real stable & good overclocking. You cannot go wrong with an Asus board (one that is based on a good chipset like the KT266a or KT333). I also would feel comfortable on a MSI, Tyan, or Abit board also.

Unless you want/need extra data protection or extra HD load speed, then RAID is probably not for you. Although the extra IDE channels is nice if you have alot of drives to hook up.

 

[AA0]

http://www.aselabs.com/articles.php?articleid=16

It won't tell you specfic boards, but it is a good trend.

 

[atarione]

I would just like to 2nd the Shuttle AK31 v3.1 or AK35GTR (raid ata133). I have the AK31 v3.1 and it is very kewl. Very stable and fast.