no idea what Socket A mobo to buy...

[Sabs]

I've haven't been watching the computer hardware scene for quite a while now, but it's time to upgrade. For Christmas, I figure I can get one of the following: a video card, processor, or motherboard and RAM.

I was thinking of getting the motherboard and RAM first. I can buy the other components before the end of the year. It looks like a 1.1GHz athlon thunderbird is the way to go, but I really don't know anything about the current motherboards. I'd get anything which is considered stable and is an all-around good board. It sounds like all of the talk around here is about the MSI K7T Pro-A, which I assume means it's a popular board. Is this a RAID board? I don't plan to use a RAID configuration, just 1 HD. All I need is 5 PCI slots and the standard options.

Here is where I'd like some input. Please post your input, regardless which board you think I should get. As I mentioned before, I need both a motherboard, and 128MB PC133 RAM. I would really, really appreciate it if someone could give direct links to a site which sells both (I've had trouble finding motherboards at reliable merchants, even with search engines. I know the quality of RAM is important, so I'm willing to spend a little more for good RAM. My price limit for the RAM and mobo is around $300. You help is VERY much appreciated.

 

[Pluto]

MSI K7T Pro 2A doesn't have a onboard RAID controller.

If you want RAID you should probably wait for the upcoming MSI K7T Turbo, which also will features the KT133A chipset. Not sure if MSI is going to make a KT133A board without onboard RAID or not, the Turbo is the only one announced at this point.

Waiting for KT133A isn't a bad idea, will allow you to overclock your FSB better and also use the new 133/266 FSB Athlon CPUs when they come out.

I've heard alot of positive comments about the MSI board. I recently put a system together using the Pro2A and it seemed very good. It also was the top recommendation in Anandtech's recent KT133 board roundup.

 

[need4spd]

Sabs...
After reading all the reviews here and elsewhere....I opted for the MSI board over the Abit boards.

The MSI K7T Pro 2A is not a RAID board...But it does have ATA/100 capability..If you are running just one drive then raid will not offer you anything. ATA100 may be useful if your drive is ATA.

You should be quite pleased with the MSI K7T Pro 2A. I just upgraded to this board. VERY stable and easy to install. etc

Memory: I say try http://www.Crucial.com they have 128MB/133 modules at $60.00 for CL=3 and $73.00 for CL=2. This is considered one of the best places to get Memory and it has lifetime warranty and right now a web promo with FREE 2 Day shipping.

Motherboard can be had for around $120 -$129(US). I can't recommend any mailorder places...but I am sure others here can. I bought mine at local computer shop for $120

You also need to consider the Power Supply. 250-300w minimum. I went with the Enermax 330w ($60 US) it has dual fans and is very quiet. Keeps my system humming along nicely.

Hope this helps.
------
Steve

MSI K7T PRO 2 A
DURON 600 @ 950Mhz
GLOBALWIN FOP32 Cooler
Crucial 128M/133/CL2 (should be here tomorrow!)
VIPER 550 (next upgrade is new Video)
ADDTRONICS Case
ENERMAX EG351 Dual Fan Power Supply

 

[Sabs]

Sorry, I think I was unclear on the RAID thing. I have no intent to ever use RAID, so that's not a factor.

Thanks for the RAM suggestion, I hadn't begun to check, but I had no idea it's so cheap for good RAM.

I guess all I need now is a link to a good vendor with the MSI K7T Pro-A for a fair price. Could anyone provide me with a link?

 

[Kaalot]

Try starting at www.pricewatch.com then just search for that board and you should be able to find something.

Kaalot

GA-7ZX/TBird 1000/256MB/ASUS v6800 pure

 

[Zuluwarrior]

Lynncomp.com has it for 119 and reasonable shipping I thinks.

I ordered an Epox board from em a couple months back
and they treated me well.

I now have the MSi pro2a and although I'm not overclocking my 1ghz,
I am thrilled with the board.

My benchmark for stability in a board is simply
"Can I shove all the cards whereever and everything works"?

I can and it did.

 

[jman57]

If you don't intend on overclocking the original MSI KT7 Pro is a good buy. Mine installed like a dream and is real stable. Has ATA66 on board.

 

[WatcherMan]

BTW, you might want to check out any prospective vendors at www.resellerratings.com. They have a large database of vendors that are rated by service, shipping, etc. There are also user comments that can give you good insight on how the company resolves problems and stuff like that. Check for lowest prices for what you want on pricewatch, then check out resellerratings to see which of the vendors are rated best. For instance, I did a search on the MSI K7T Pro-A and found 2 vendors that were rated decently that sold it for under $120. Once you decide on a vendor, you might want to ask people in here whether they've had any experience with that vendor or not (or just take a chance and order).

For your memory, you might also check out www.mushkin.com. Their prices are usually right around the same as Crucial's, and I think they're a little better quality. I've got their budget PC133 (CAS3) in one machine and their High Performance Rev 1.5 (CAS2) in another machine and both work great.

 

[zzzz]

for memory, get johns or skorps memory in the sale/trade forum. Both are reputed and the memory they sell is really high quality.

 

[AMD4ME2]

I personally am not concerned with RAID, but I would like to have 8 IDE devices like you can with the abit RAID board... will the new MSI "turbo" board have this feature??