Which motherboards have the highest RMA rates?

[sad]

Then why bring up the list in the first place? Like I said none of Iwill's boards are anywhere to be found on that list...

oh no...does it mean my iwill doesn't support a lowly duron 600????*sniff*

I have no idea why the KT7A is not on. Maybe abit didn't kiss enough ass? Ohhh...and perhaps Iwill didn't kiss ass at all. Maybe you can tell me.

 

[LXi]

You can run 200MHz at 266MHz using most of the boards on that list, so it didnt make sense to me. And, I didnt start any arguments using the recommended list, I mostly said its my experience, it just happened that the Abits arent on the list for 266MHz.

 

[LXi]

I thought the KK266 would be on, it's such a polished motherboard, it totally deserves to be on it. Maybe AMD thinks Iwill is too small a manufacturer; I dont think its about ass kissing, 'cause many of these components on the recommended list, like heatsinks and power supplys, can be crucial to the system.

 

[zzzz]

<< You can run 200MHz at 266MHz using most of the boards on that list >>

.
In theory, yes. But According to this article, it is not easy with every mobo brand. And guess which is one of a couple of brands that works without extra trouble?

 

[yazz]

I think that Anand and other Hardware reviewers should get a lot of 10 motherboards of the same model and see what kinda stability/reliability rating these EPOX, ASUS, SHUTTLE, ABIT, MSI, and IWILL motherboards actually get. Us hardware integrators will have an easier time choosing what is best for OURSELVES and for our CUSTOMERS/CLIENTS.

 

[LXi]

<<In theory, yes. But According to this article, it is not easy with every mobo brand. And guess which is one of a couple of brands that works without extra trouble?>>

Hmm... you do realize that you can run a 200MHz CPU at 266 without lowering the multipliers, dont you? An AXIA 1GHz 200MHz will accomplish that easily on almost all KT133A boards listed there, why even bother lowering your multiplier?

 

[kingz]

Hey, what do ya know, I got real numbers (in millions shipped Q1):
ASUS 6.76
Elitegroup 6.72
MSI 4.91
Gigabyte 4.625
ABIT 1.265
DFI 1.027
Chaintech 0.793
BIOSTAR 0.557

OK, some go find the RMA rates now

 

[zzzz]

<< Hmm... you do realize that you can run a 200MHz CPU at 266 without lowering the multipliers, dont you? An AXIA 1GHz 200MHz will accomplish that easily on almost all KT133A boards listed there, why even bother lowering your multiplier? >>



Not every 200 cpu can run @266 without lowering the multiplier and if you want to run (lets say) 1.2 200 at 1.2 266 you might run into trouble if your mobo won't allow smooth transition from 200 to 266 fsb. A good mobo should not be picky about stepping of the cpu.

 

[kingz]

Where are you guys located anyways? its 1am friday night here. I hope you guys aren't PST or CST. What is it, like 4am PST?

 

[kingz]

zzzz, you're in chicago? damn dude, go catch some zzzz and stop drinking red bull w/triple espresso's

 

[LXi]

Well, thats why 1GHz AXIA is a better buy than a 1.2GHz 200MHz. Because you only need to up the FSB to 133MHz+, or simply increase the multiplier if you have a 266MHz version. If I get a 1.2GHz 200MHz, I'd just shoot for 133MHz anyway, even though 1.6GHz seems impossible with that CPU. The choice is clear, if you're going to overclock, you want to know the stepping, you cant just buy a whatever stepping and hope to overclock the hell out of it. Steppings like AXIA and AYHJA really increases the overclockability, and you dont have to worry too much about multipliers.

 

[Rankor]

I've used 3 Abit system boards; no problems. BX-6 Rev. 2 (w/c is running on a friend's rig) and two (2) BF-6s (w/c I'm [still] running one after a year and one that I sold to a member here @ AT).

I must be part of the exception to the norm :Q.

Asus, used one. The P3B-F. Great, stable motherboard. Not as feature-rich as was the BX-6 Rev. 2 but still tweakable. Sold that one, too to a member here @ AT.

Fic, I've been through two (2) of those: the original PCB revision of the VA-503+ and the last PCB revision of the PA-2013.

 

[kingz]

<< Well, thats why 1GHz AXIA is a better buy than a 1.2GHz 200MHz. Because you only need to up the FSB to 133MHz+, or simply increase the multiplier if you have a 266MHz version. If I get a 1.2GHz 200MHz, I'd just shoot for 133MHz anyway, even though 1.6GHz seems impossible with that CPU. The choice is clear, if you're going to overclock, you want to know the stepping, you cant just buy a whatever stepping and hope to overclock the hell out of it. Steppings like AXIA and AYHJA really increases the overclockability, and you dont have to worry too much about multipliers. >>


Aye, its also almost $40 cheaper @ newegg. The 1.2GHz is retail though, but if you oc it doesn't matter anyways

 

[zzzz]

<< Well, thats why 1GHz AXIA is a better buy than a 1.2GHz 200MHz. Because you only need to up the FSB to 133MHz+, or simply increase the multiplier if you have a 266MHz version >>


Well, we know that now..The time I bought the 1.2 chip, the AXIA's weren't out yet(or haven't become known for their potential) and the difference in price of 200 vs 266 fsb chips was substantial. Now they are selling for something like $90!
But this is all OT.


<< zzzz, you're in chicago? damn dude, go catch some zzzz and stop drinking red bull w/triple espresso's >>


hehe, I work in the nighttime mostly and wake up around 2 pm.

 

[Insane3D]

&quot;In theory, yes. But According to this article, it is not easy with every mobo brand. And guess which is one of a couple of brands that works without extra trouble?&quot;

Well, that &quot;issue&quot; is not really an issue anymore, unless you are using lower speed Durons. I think it's safe to say all current 1ghz+ Thunderbirds will not have any trouble with a FSB jumpered board. The Abit and Asus are not affected by this because the bios always defaults @ 100 FSB before applying the bios settings, but that does not mean they are any better or worse of a board. The Abit KT7A's are a great board if they work right, and some people have good success with them. However, 99% of KT7A's can not hit any higher than ~150FSB in most cases, where the Iwill easily hits 160+ without a fan or thermal compound on the northbridge. Also, most 266FSB Athlons are cheaper than the 200mhz ones as yields have improved. I can just speak from personal experience. I had a few KT7A-R's and my AVIA 1.2ghz would not go over 1350mhz on any of them, and only 1 board would hit 150 FSB reliably. I simply switched to an Iwill, and I was able to overclock to 1450mhz with .1v less core voltage, and I run 24/7 with a 165FSB. All the components were the same in the system...except for the board. I will be honest in that I really had no trouble with any of the KT7A-R's I had, except for unreliable USB operation.

 

[ArchAngel777]

<<<<People are better off trusting me than you. I know what Im talking about, you, apparently dont. The 900NF can do 90Hz at 1600x1200, why did you chicken out and not reply? >>>>

Chicken? So you think this is a contest? Gawd you are messsed up, with as much as you post in these forums, it would seem you are a 12 year old that sits on his computer all day and posts.

As far as not replying, I could not find the thread. I am not gonna spend 10 minutes looking for a thread just to say a few words to a youngin...

For your information I tested on windowsMe, and it would not let the samsung 900NF run at 90Hz... only 85Hz. Obviously you &quot;state&quot; you have gotten it to work, good for you.


Ive said my peace, please don't respond to me LXi, ive got better things to do then argue with a 12 year old, who thinks he knows everything... Grow up get a job and support yourself, then start acting like you know it all, but not while you live off of mom and pops.


~end~

 

[LXi]

First of all, Im not 12, that appears to be you by the way. And I got a better job than you can ever get in your life.

 

[Rankor]

<< it would seem you are a 12 year old >>



Nope, keep guessing, much older . He posts b/c he works w/computers all day.

Been awhile Lxi. How're things?

 

[AndrewR]

To answer the original question, I think Abit is a clear winner. LXi is not even close to being the only dealer to have seen multiple problems with Abit boards in direct comparison to other brands. I believe compuwiz also stated at one time that Abit was a loser in the RMA department.

My experience? I've owned three Abit boards -- all BP6. The first one wouldn't work correctly out of the box (AGP card wouldn't fit in the slot properly). Second one died after four months because of a shorted fan header. The third one was sold in the box to someone as I powered my computer with a board from MSI. I won't buy Abit again.

I currently have two MSI boards, and both have been perfect with noticeable stability.

I previously used three different Epox boards (SS7 days), and they were completely problem-free. It seems that they are again making competitive products.

I have also used Intel (486! loooong ago ), Shuttle (only one -- SS7), Soyo (only one, worked well), and Tyan (three different ones, all excellent though lacking in overclocking -- admittedly, one was a server board though!).

The other reason Abit has a horrible reputation among dealers is that they used to charge $25 per RMA, which the stores had to suck up because it was a warranty replacement. I know the place I bought the BP6 from REALLY hated Abit for that, but they still carry them (www.azzo.com). Does anyone know if that RMA policy is still the case?

 

[LXi]

Rankor,

Have we met?

 

[WyteWatt]

Lxi hello
how are you doing today?

 

[ArchAngel777]

LXi and me have gotton on the wrong foot from Day 1. I don't really have anything against him other than he is so biased. It bothers me, but I guess we all are. I take his opinion seriously, and was a bit harsh and judgemental on him. I am sure he means well as do i. I just get tired of the SOS, if anyone knows what I am talking about... All I am trying to say is, as a comsumer you really have little to worrry about.

I hope LXi can forgive me for using some harsh words on him, I really didn't mean it. And I hope we can get a better start on the other foot.

 

[Rankor]

Hey Arch, don't worry about it (too) much. If this was a perfect society, it would be pretty damn boring, right ?

Biases? Hmmm....

Here's a good read from Overclocker's.com here. A pretty good read.

 

[ChiefWiggum]

I think it would help if you looked at from a production point of view. Whenever you do QA/QC on whatever you produce, there will be expected tolerances and failure rates. Your product could be canned vegetables, luxury cars or sound boards.

In my experience, usually, a producer will set a failure rate of, at the most 5%. So you're at a 95% confidence rate that said product will work. Or more easily put, 1 in 20 failure rate. Many companies may have a larger confidence rate, which is more stringent, which in turn leads to high product quality.

Abit seems to be the loser, according to the anecdotal evidence supplied. While this is not scientific, this evidence does amount for something.

But this is difficult to ascertain. How many of your computer problems can actually be attributed to the motherboard?

For example, I bought a Abit KT7 and a T-Bird 1 Ghz in October 2000. I've had reasonable success with it and while I could tweak it, I try to keep everything as error-free as possible. Sure, I'd have a few reboots here and there- but I usually attributed that to Windows.

Now my hard drives is freaking out on a regular basis. I run diagnostics and write zeroes and the drive and western digital says it's okay.

Well,

1) Is it f&amp;*ked up electronics on the drive?
2) Bad cable?
3) Bad power?
4) Bad mobo?

Who knows? I know it's not #2. I've used new cables. It's not #3, because I've used 2 AMD-approved PS'es. That leaves #1 and #4. I've RMA'ed my drive, so that'll easy enough to check. Who knows maybe they won't have my exact model so I'll get a few more Gigs out of the deal.

But my suspicion is, it may be the mobo. Right after I bought the thing, AMD says it was not approved anymore. Now the KT7 1.01 is. What gives?

I think if most of the people here says Abit are awful, that does count for something. Especially since, most people here said they were out-of-the-box problems. Or maybe it my screwdriver nicking a trace when I tried putting on my HSF for the Athlon.

I wish this topic was discussed last fall, maybe we all could have saved ourselves some frustration.

 

[WyteWatt]

ChiefWiggum sorry to here you Abit KT7A Mobo is bad but so far i have a Abit KT7A raid mobo and it is doing fine. Been having it for 3 to 6 months so far. Flashed the ZT BIOS it so far. So far it seems more stable i think and now i can change my memory setting from turbo to normal , etc without it giving me any problems. But that was such a minior problem i didnt really care about that little problem. i know someone who used 40 Abit KT7A raid mobos and they all are doing fine no RMA. BTW just to let you know i have a maxtor 45 gig HD. But i dont think that makes a difference.

i guess it depends. I wish we could figure out why some are working so well and some arent. Like some site buy 10 of each mobo like 10 of the Abit KT7A raid , 10 of the Asus A7V 133 , etc and see if all 10 are stable , not many problems or any problems , fast , no RMA , etc

They would be cool to test but maybe it wouldnt help.

Thanks