**Official Epox 8K5A Series (KT333) Thread** (Files, Reviews, and Info Inside!)

[Ray78]

I too was noticing the great prices that Kommax has on memory. However their score at resellerratings.com is not very good. Can anyone vouch for this company as far as service and product quality goes?

 

[Insane3D]

I've ordered memory from them several times with no problems...

 

[MrEMan]

Insane3D,

If you take a look at MWave's description of the 8K5A2 board at http://direct.mwave.com/mwave/doc2/a16116.html you will see the earlier 5 PCI slot version of the board. MWave has since corrected their description (but not the photo), while a few days ago NewEgg's photo showed the updated board, but the description said 5 PCI slots (I just checked and the 2 version is no longer even listed on their site). Bunta.Com also shows the previous 5 slot version at http://www.bunta.com/products/prodspec.asp?item=MOEP8K5A2 .

I actually prefer the spacing around the CPU socket better on the 5 slot version because everything is moved to the left side of the board, which appears to allow the space between the northbridge and the cpu socket to be to be an additional 3/16" (5 mm). It appears that the airflow would also benefit from the agp slot being moved to the left by one slot position.

As for the northbridge heatsink itself, I wish EPoX would have retained either the square one, or the rectangular one, because the newer "fancy" looking one cuts down further on the space between itself and the CPU socket due to the curved overhang portion (compared to a flat edge).

As for the different board layouts, my guess is that at some point EPoX decided to consolidate board layouts and just add/remove or disable features. Where there were 4 differences between the 5A and 5A+ (RAID, LAN, 6 channel vs 2 channel sound, 6th PCI socket), there are now just 3. The insignificant price difference makes the decision a no-brainer for most buyers. I also wish all board manufacturers would show a dimensional diagram of the socket area so buyers who purchase online/mail order will know what heat sink fan assemblies will fit, instead having to email the manufacturer, or guessing and finding out by trial and error.

It would help if the HSF manufacturers likewise fully speced (including a drawing) the dimensions of their fan assemblies. A good example of that is ThermalTake. The spec for the Volcano 7 shows the fan at 80mmx80mm while the heatsink is 70mm(latch edge) x 68mm. Their spec for the upgraded Volcano 9 says the fan and heatsink are both 80mm x 80mm, when in fact it is the same size heatsink as the V7 (70mm x 68mm). I wonder how many passed on the affordable, controllable speed Volcano 9 because they actually thought the heatsink was 80x80 (I received this info from ThermalTake support and was told they will be updating the specs on their site soon).

Lastly, I prefer to buy OEM CPUs from MWave since they are the only ones to offer 1 year warranty (I believe NewEgg and Krex are 30 days, and Bunta is 15 days). As for the retail versions, I don't think most read AMD's warranty specs because it clearly states that the Retail version 3 year warranty ONLY applies if you use it as is with their HSF and thermal solution... meaning no Artic Silver, etc.). From what I have read, the AMD supplied HSF's are average performers and on the noisy side.

AMD's warranty states: This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith. See http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/AboutAMD/0,,51_52_502_3210^3243^2139,00.html .

Thanks for posting all the info and links for the EPoX boards.

Jim

 

[Cheapstake112]

Is this Epox 8K5A2 a lot better than the GigaByte GA-7VRX or possibly the Shuttle AK35GT2? I'm not really looking into overclocking, but I just want to leave that option open if I choose to do so. I know all of these three boards are capable of it. I would join the band wagon and go for the Epox but its $10 more than the Giga and $20 more than the Shuttle.

What kind of heat sink+fan do you recommend? I want the 80mm fan as quiet as possible (my old one was 26db). I will be running a XP1800+.

 

[RideFree]

Everything (well, nearly) finally got here.
EPoX 8K5A2+, 1600+, Albatron GF2 400 MX, 756MB Samsung PC-2700, Alpha PAL 8045U, Lian-Li PC50, LiteOn 48x12x48 & a couple of WD 60s.

Seem too fast for me, I can barely hold on...

 

[chibchakan]

Epox 8K5A2+ @ Mwave

I don't know which one to buy, what's the difference between the two ?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: chibchacan
Epox 8K5A2+ @ Mwave

I don't know which one to buy, what's the difference between the two ?

The second one is just the price if you buy the motherboard and CPU as a bundle.

 

[MrEMan]

To all those who have recently purchased EPoX motherboards from MWave, do you happen to know if they are selling the post-September 1, 2002 boards which now come with a 2 year warranty from EPoX? EPoX support informed me that warrantys status can be checked by serial number at
http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard-warrantystatus.asp?lang=1.

From http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard-warranty.asp?lang=1

DURATION OF WARRANTY:
The limited warranty period extends for two (2) years and is applicable beginning with Products manufactured September 1st 2002. Products manufactured prior to a September 1st 2002 have a limited warranty period that extends for one (1) year. The period commences from the date of manufacture appearing on the Serial Number label of the original Product purchased. To verify this period for your Product, please click on Warranty Status Check. Customers are encouraged to first attempt return to original dealer before obtaining warranty service from manufacturer.

 

[Salvador]

I would like to get the 8K5A2+, but don't plan to OC right away. Is this still a good choice for a board if I don't OC? Also. I don't have PC2700 RAM right now. Can I use PC2100 temporarily until I can get some PC2700 RAM?

Edit: I just checked one of the reviews and it said that the board will accept PC1600/2100/2700, etc.. I just wasn't sure because I was about to order (I did now) from Mwave and it said just PC2700 on the detailed specs page.

I'm assuming that this is the best (or one of) the best boards to have at the moment, so I ordered it. I'll be using the RAID IDE channels for extra hdd's, I'll have plenty of room for my Alpha 8045. I can use my PC2100 RAM at the moment until I can upgrade. I can OC later if I want to. The board seems like a winner to me.

Thanks.

Sal

 

[Dulanic]

 

[Toro 45]

Seem too fast for me, I can barely hold on...

LOL,I know what you mean this board with my xp1600@XP2200 makes my new Dell P4 2.4 feel sluggish.


Cheapstake112Before I bought mine I was just looking for a good cheap board to drop in one of the uber cheap XP1600's,really only looking to spend $60-$80.00
After researching for a while I kept coming back to the Epox board because of the solid reviews,the great bios setting options,the 1/5 divider,USB2,decent sound,etc.Even though it was more than I wanted to spend,I have'nt looked back since I booted it.Definately have to rank it as one of the best boards I've owned(& that's been a few)

I'm assuming that this is the best (or one of) the best boards to have at the moment, so I ordered it. I'll be using the RAID IDE channels for extra hdd's, I'll have plenty of room for my Alpha 8045. I can use my PC2100 RAM at the moment until I can upgrade. I can OC later if I want to. The board seems like a winner to me.

You won't be dissapointed,it was love at first boot for me:Q

Toro

 

[chibchakan]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: chibchacan
Epox 8K5A2+ @ Mwave

I don't know which one to buy, what's the difference between the two ?

The second one is just the price if you buy the motherboard and CPU as a bundle.

Thanx for clearing that up Insane3D.

 

[Actaeon]

Which BIOs do you recommend? How about 4-In-1s?

 

[MrEMan]

I see that Chris Tom of AMDZone/SocketA has posted his review of the 8K5A2+.

You can view it at http://www.socketa.com/reviews/epox/8k5a2+/ .

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: MrEMan
To all those who have recently purchased EPoX motherboards from MWave, do you happen to know if they are selling the post-September 1, 2002 boards which now come with a 2 year warranty from EPoX? EPoX support informed me that warrantys status can be checked by serial number at
http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard-warrantystatus.asp?lang=1.

From http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard-warranty.asp?lang=1

DURATION OF WARRANTY:
The limited warranty period extends for two (2) years and is applicable beginning with Products manufactured September 1st 2002. Products manufactured prior to a September 1st 2002 have a limited warranty period that extends for one (1) year. The period commences from the date of manufacture appearing on the Serial Number label of the original Product purchased. To verify this period for your Product, please click on Warranty Status Check. Customers are encouraged to first attempt return to original dealer before obtaining warranty service from manufacturer.

MrEMan -

I just tried the two serials off my two 8K5A2+ boards on the link you mentioned, now that Epox site is finally working again. It says for both serial numbers "The system does not recognize the number entered". Guess Epox still needs some work on their site...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Which BIOs do you recommend? How about 4-In-1s?

I'm using the beta 9/5 bios linked above on both boards. Works great. On my two frsh installs of XP SP1, I used the latest Via 4.43 4-in-1's.

Edit: That bios is for the 8K5A2+ ONLY.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: MrEMan
I see that Chris Tom of AMDZone/SocketA has posted his review of the 8K5A2+.

You can view it at http://www.socketa.com/reviews/epox/8k5a2+/ .

Added it to the revies list..thanks!

 

[Insane3D]

Like usual, Socket A's reviews are very brief and not too in depth, but not too bad I guess. I took issue with one thing..

Some may also hope for better onboard audio than that provided by the Southbridge.

I guess he didn't bother reading the manual or features to see it has 5.1 channel sound from Realtek...

 

[MrEMan]

While reading thru the earlier posts I noticed that Athlonstein mentioned that his 8k5a2+ came with the rectangular northbridge heatsink. I would have preferred that EPoX would have continued using that version due to the limited area between the socket and the heatsink. Some reviewers/posters have stated that the round one wasn't secured all that well, nor was the thermal interface all that great either.

Check out the difference in these two pictures http://www.socketa.com/reviews/epox/8k5a2+/8k5a2+.jpg http://www.amdworld.co.uk/ep5a21.htm and you will see that the round heatsink reduces the space by about 3/16" (5 mm). I don't believe the heatsink in the amdworld photo would have fit on the board in the socketa photo.

Actually, with the 8K5A2+ having sound, LAN, and RAID on-board, I would have preferred that they kept the 5 PCI slot layout, and moved the AGP socket and northbridge to the left more. This would have allowed for larger CPU heatsinks (especially for those that utilize the 4 mounting holes, such as the one in the amdworld photo), northbridge heatsink with a fan, and would have also increased air flow from a front case mounted fan past the video card, to the CPU.

Other than a more advanced soundcard, a backup dial-up modem, a firewire card and/or a SCSI controller (how many would actually use all 4 in the same system?), what would most people use 5 PCI sockets for, let alone a 6th one? I am glad that EPoX dropped the AMR (Audio Modem Riser), CNR (Communication Network Riser), ACR (Advanced Communication Riser) slots, as there seems to be very limited types of these devices available (apart from cheapo OEM manufacturer designs).

 

[Actaeon]

What does that IDE performance thing that comes on the cd (also available on there webpage, and on the 4 in 1s) do?

I have it installed, not sure what it does though.

Thanks.

 

[rcraig]

MrEMan:

I guess I lucked out in a way. The first 8K5A2+ I received from Newegg was a one year warranty board based on the serial number, but it was bad. The replacement board, which is working perfect, has a two year warranty based on it's serial number. In essense I paid $12 shipping on the return for an extra year warranty. At least I got something for my troubles and an extra weeks wait. Neither board would show up on Epox's warranty page but the serial number is easy to read. This was two weeks ago, so I imagine all of Neweggs are two year warranty boards now. If MWave sells as many boards as Newegg and doesn't have a huge inventory, which I would suspect, then their boards should have two year warranties too.

RCraig

 

[SP33Demon]

Whoohoo, my 8k5A3+ board will be here today! Will post OC results later in the week!

 

[Mem]

Another new Epox 8K5A2+ motherboard review here .

Stability

There were no stability problems with the board in Turbo mode unlike in the KT333 based 8K3A+. This lead to great performance from the board.

Compatibility

I used the usual components in testing of the 8K5A2+and no compatibility problems were found.

 

[kgatwork]

I'd like to know what that ide performance driver does too? I know that Nero CD speed gets screwed up when that driver is loaded. Anyone have any comments about the bus mastering driver. TIA.

 

[Salvador]

Actually, with the 8K5A2+ having sound, LAN, and RAID on-board, I would have preferred that they kept the 5 PCI slot layout, and moved the AGP socket and northbridge to the left more. This would have allowed for larger CPU heatsinks (especially for those that utilize the 4 mounting holes, such as the one in the amdworld photo), northbridge heatsink with a fan, and would have also increased air flow from a front case mounted fan past the video card, to the CPU.

Are you saying that the newer version with the square HS will not accept something like the Alpha 8045 on the CPU? I hope not because I always look for compatibility with the larger heat sinks before I buy a board.

Sal