Opinion of little Motherboard makers

[sprockkets]

I am currently considering a PCChips or ECS Sis730 board, both come with audio,video and LAN, while the PCChips one comes with a AMR modem. Both are $72. Any experience with these two brands? I'd like to try other makers than just Asus and MSI.

 

[DocZaius]

Hi sprockkets,

PC Chips is junk, stay away. I don't know much about ECS, but I would still stick to better brands like MSI, Iwill, Soyo, EPoX or even FIC.

Hope that helps.

 

[DieselMan]

Other good brands include
Aopen and DFI.

And there are always the big brands: SuperMicro, Tyan, and Asus.

PCCHIPS IS PURE CRAP! It's not worth the few dollars you will save! Believe me.

 

[sprockkets]

Good enough. I have made a system around a Asus A7S-VM, very good. But I guess I can use these boards for people who want Emachines quality... hahahaha! Anand did like a couple of ECS VIA Kt133 boards, not the best, but not expensive. Kind of like the fact that the ECS board has the AGP slot while the Asus one doesn't, but both have the same LAN chip.

Funny though, the ECS and PCChips have the same layout, but the ECS one looks better made. Hmmmm....

 

[birddog]

PC Chips is not small (they do alot of real low-end computer OEM sales), but they are definately junk. I'd also stay away from any sis chipset.

If you want an integrated system, get a i810 board from MSI, Abit, Asus, Tyan, etc... .Just check pricewatch.com. You can get a good 810 board for under $75 shipped.

As far as size of manufacturers, Abit is one of the smaller ones. THey now produce quality products geared to hardware enthusiasts (not much OEM business for them). Asus is one of the largest (lots of OEM sales), and also has quality prducts. Size is not necessarly a factor in quality.

 

[burnedout]

I think Centrix has an Intel made i810 board for $55.00. Retail boxed.

 

[sprockkets]

Could you tell me why not to use SIS chipsets? I've had less problems with the 730S than the KT133, and the Asus board is stable to the max setting of 150FSB.


I've heard of why SIS is bad, but I don't see that now. Can't wait for the 735 either.

 

[Peter]

PC-Chips (including ECS) are fourth or fifth largest mainboard company in the world, so they're not exactly small.

A word of caution on PC-Chips: They don't do end user business at all. Meaning that if you buy one of their boards separately (not in a complete computer built by one of PC-Chips's OEM customers), you'll be on your own, no help, no manufacturer support besides a terse manual and BIOS/driver updates. If you can do with that, fine, the boards are OK, and you won't be able to build a system anywhere near as cheap as when using theirs.

If you can't help yourself in any kind of situation, choose a manufacturer that does retail business - if you like a particular PC-Chips board and want support, then have a look whether ECS or a retail outlet like Amptron or Matsonic carries that particular model.

regards, Peter

 

[Regalk]

PcHips and ECS are the same I believe - just another rebadged name. Their stuff is only for low end machines - integrated sound, video and modem - which is good for most small offices. Hardware enthusiasts must look elsewhere.
With the SIS 735 coming out and C-media 3D surround sound - the only thing that will hold ECS back now is the video - this is where they will cut corners. Still personally I prefer top quality for speed, upgradability and support.

 

[Peter]

Well, despite PC-Chips and ECS being the same company, there are quite a few PC-Chips OEM designs that never make it into an ECS retail box, and vice versa.

Besides, the ECS K7VZA aka PC-Chips M807 currently is the best selling mainboard here in Germany, _and_ it gets exceptionally good reviews everywhere, including on the web - especially for its speed and stability.

Finally, PC-Chips/ECS again have been picked by SiS to get the 735 chip first (much like with the 730) - the PC-Chips M830 board has already been presented, see their web site.

regards, Peter

 

[chainbolt]

LOL, ECS is one of the biggest board makers, they sell 90% for OEM, that's the reason you don't them.

 

[sprockkets]

I guess ECS isn't bad, I've looked at their web site and manuals and are quite thoroughly written, PCChips on the other hand hasn't been updated since 99. Sad. Anyway, I found a better board anyhow, just wish it had the agp slot, the MSI MS-6378 with lan at axiontech.com for $80. Funny, even though it has Trident Blade graphics, VIA on their website doesn't want to admit it, and they don't have links to the KM133 or KM133A, unless it is under the Savage chipset line link.

 

[gumbysucks]

Newegg has the MSI KM133M for $82+10 shipping UDMA 100, 3-PCI, 2 DIMM, 1-AGP, On-baord S3 Savage4 VGA and AC97 Audio.
I was thinking of this for a cheap system, with their 750 duron for $42 shipped
Any thoughts on this board?

 

[sprockkets]

That board is cool, just never had it. It has the same layout as a Turbo I think, so does the 6378 KLE133. You should get the newer KLE133 since it should have better integrated graphics, but you lose the agp slot.