? on MB AMD 761 chipset?

SkaarjMaster · 14th Nov 2001, 10:31 PM

I'm thinking about getting an AMD-based motherboard soon, but I want to avoid the VIA chipset problems a lot of users are having with UT. It seems there are motherboards using the AMD 761 chipset and these motherboards have an AMD 761 north bridge and VIA 686B south bridge. I'm looking at the Asus A7M66, Biostar M7MIA Raid, Abit KG7 and Gigabyte GA-7DXR as options for my new MB. Just want any incites or opinions on this and if these MB's still have the VIA chipset problems.

Also, the newer AMD MB's that are XP-ready, can you run Windows 98SE on these no problems or do you have to run XP?
Thank you.

SkaarjMaster

P.S. - I know this may be a little off-topic, but any upgrade I make, UT must run!

BooGiTyBoY · 14th Nov 2001, 11:28 PM

All I can tell ya on that is my buddy has an Asus MB and he bitches about it almost every other day.

qazix · 15th Nov 2001, 12:30 AM

I think some (if not all) of the mobos you listed have a VIA North or South Bridge chipset in them. Tyan's Tiger and Thunder K7 boards have AMD chipsets for both North and South. I know someone who hasn't had any probs with it, but ymmv. I'm mostly happy with my K7S5A with the SiS735 chipset.

BTW, VIA's KT266A is out; supposed to fix the problems with the earlier revisions. Me, I'm avoiding VIA for the forseeable future.

Stillborn · 15th Nov 2001, 07:18 AM

I have a ECS K7VZA MoBo that uses Via drivers... Bloody awful! Crashes on me at least 1-2 a day (only during UT gameplay...)

A friend of mine bought a ECS K7S5A SiS735 Chipset and it works like a charm! No problems whatsoever and no VIA!

It's got 5 PCI slots, 1 4X AGP slot, 1 AMR slot

Interested? Read more here...

qazix · 15th Nov 2001, 01:28 PM

Ehm... If you get a K7S5A, you should know that ECS had some QA problems (as in, some people got bad boards). Mine was fine, but that doesn't mean everyone got a good board. I'd still suggest going with Tyan, personally. All the reviews of the Thunder K7 suggest it has rock-solid stability (even though the AMD NB/SB isn't the latest revision).

Twisted Metal · 15th Nov 2001, 03:40 PM

Which chipset is the best?

hyrulian · 15th Nov 2001, 04:08 PM

I've built a computer with a VIA KT266A chipset mobo and AMD 761 chipset mobo (both DDR chipsets) both with no problems.

Ming the Merciless · 15th Nov 2001, 05:24 PM

Rooster and myself have Epoc motherboards. These are extremely fast and reliable boards with some really neat overclocking and trouble shooting features.

SkaarjMaster · 15th Nov 2001, 08:16 PM

I'm probably going to get an AMD version of an Asus, Abit, Biostar or Gigabyte MB. The ones I'm looking at do, yes, have AMD 761 north bridge and Via south bridge. Would this require Via 4 in1 drivers and fall under the category of problem Via-based boards or is it an AMD 761-based board with some Via features that don't require the drivers?

Also, are there some AMD-based boards out that don't need Via drivers?

Can XP boards run Win98SE with no problem?
Thank you.

SkaarjMaster

Rooster · 16th Nov 2001, 04:57 PM

My recommendations in this order (if buying right now):

Nice features / Best Performance: Epox EP-8KHA+ (VIA KT266A) or Microstar K7T266Pro2 (VIA KT266A) or nForce420 (MSI K7N420 PRO)
Budget board / Great Performance: ECS K7S5A (SiS 735 chipset) (only 2 DDR slots)
Unbeatable stability / Good Performance: EPoX 8K7A (AMD 761 chipset) (only 2DDR slots)

No such thing as an "XP" board, only an XP chip or OS. But.. boards like the KT266A & nForce420 do have a board architecture that lends itself well to the benefits an XP CPU will provide.

Rev Billy G · 16th Nov 2001, 05:17 PM

I'm running on an Epox 8k7a+ which is an AMD/Via hybrid board. It's the most stable board I've ever used.

99% of the problems people have with Via chipsets is that they install the wrong drivers.

ViperXL · 16th Nov 2001, 06:56 PM

ok, im running a Asus A7M266, it does have the AMD 761 chipset...

I love it, it works great with UT, after i installed an AGP driver patch from AMD. Also, to answer your question on Win98, it runs perfectly with Win98, Win2k, and now WinXP (ive done all of them)

Only down side is it's a bit expensive compared to some other Mobos... but it's stable! very

SkaarjMaster · 16th Nov 2001, 08:35 PM

Well, yeah, I guess I meant XP chip. Does Win98SE run fine with these chips?

Also, Thanks ViperXL for giving a thumbs up to that Asus MB.

SkaarjMaster

el Gato · 20th Nov 2001, 11:32 AM

What I have:

Win 98se
PIII 450 (slot 1)
8 MB voodoo3 AGP
10 g HD @ 5400
200 watt 3.3V power supply
Mid tower case.
ISA Diamond SupraExpress modem
PCI SoundBlaster 128D
3 168-pin DIMM SDRAM PC100 slots w/ 192 MB memory installed. (64 + 128)

What I'm looking at:

EPoX EP-8K7A AMD 761 PC2100 DDR (200/266)MHz AGPset ATX CPU AMD
Athlon XP 1600+ 1.4 GHz 266FSB
Thermaltake A1139 (Volcano 6 Cu) Heat Sink & Cooling Fan

$264, $277 shipped. Add $22 for a serial Diamond SupraExpress 56e modem, ~50 for a new power supply, and a stick of Crucial 256 DDR for $35. Maybe a new case (?). Total = $384 Now I need only $200 more dollars.

I plan on upping the vid card at a later date.

Please add your two cents if you want. Anything input would be great as I'm a total n00b to this mobo upgrading stuff.

SkaarjMaster · 20th Nov 2001, 12:18 PM

What's with EPox? I've never even considered them. Are they the cheapest MB's, but great quality/stability or what? Looking at the Asus now, but the local place that has it doesn't carry it anymore so I may have to order it.

Does Win98SE run fine with an Athlon XP chip?

SkaarjMaster

el Gato · 20th Nov 2001, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SkaarjMaster
What's with EPox? I've never even considered them. Are they the cheapest MB's, but great quality/stability or what? Looking at the Asus now, but the local place that has it doesn't carry it anymore so I may have to order it.

Does Win98SE run fine with an Athlon XP chip?

SkaarjMaster

I'd go with an Asus if I could afford it.

As for the XP chips, I think the "XP" is just a designation as those chips aren't referenced with their clock speed.

ie the Athlon XP 1600 is actually clocked at 1.4 GHz, but runs as fast as a Pentium4 clocked at 1.6 GHz. So AMD labels it as a XP 1600. Marketing strategy, I guess.

Me thinks. Hope I'm right.

jmq · 20th Nov 2001, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ViperXL
ok, im running a Asus A7M266, it does have the AMD 761 chipset...

I love it, it works great with UT, after i installed an AGP driver patch from AMD. Also, to answer your question on Win98, it runs perfectly with Win98, Win2k, and now WinXP (ive done all of them)

Only down side is it's a bit expensive compared to some other Mobos... but it's stable! very

I built a system a few months ago based on the same AM7266 that ViperXL references. I REALLY like the board so far. I have been runnning Windows 2000 Professional with no problems running UT. I too installed the AGP driver patch, right after building the system.

I plan to upgrade to Windows XP Pro soon. I already upgraded my older, Pentium-based system to XP with good results, but I don't play UT on it. I used to have crashes occasionally in UT, but not lately. I **think** I may have fixed the problem by upgrading my Geforce3 drivers (not sure on this).

- Coherent_Force{MOK}

StarKilLer{MOK} · 20th Nov 2001, 03:29 PM

I just switched from my old Slot-A T-bird Athlon on the MSI-6167(AMD 751 Chipset) Rock Solid it was, slow though becaus eof 100mhz Mem. Bus. 2 X AGP.
Swithed to MSI-6330(K7Pro-2A), runs great, Not as stable as the AMD board but a lot faster.(the things we sacrifice for speed.)
If i could i would have a Tyan Board or a board the the 761 AGP component, or the N-Force chipset.

14th Nov 2001, 10:31 PM	#1
SkaarjMaster enemy of time Join Date: Sep. 1st, 2000 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,357	? on MB AMD 761 chipset? I'm thinking about getting an AMD-based motherboard soon, but I want to avoid the VIA chipset problems a lot of users are having with UT. It seems there are motherboards using the AMD 761 chipset and these motherboards have an AMD 761 north bridge and VIA 686B south bridge. I'm looking at the Asus A7M66, Biostar M7MIA Raid, Abit KG7 and Gigabyte GA-7DXR as options for my new MB. Just want any incites or opinions on this and if these MB's still have the VIA chipset problems. Also, the newer AMD MB's that are XP-ready, can you run Windows 98SE on these no problems or do you have to run XP? Thank you. SkaarjMaster P.S. - I know this may be a little off-topic, but any upgrade I make, UT must run!

15th Nov 2001, 07:18 AM	#4
Stillborn PHEAR IS JUST ANOTHER 4 LETTER WORD... Join Date: Oct. 14th, 2000 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,167	I have a ECS K7VZA MoBo that uses Via drivers... Bloody awful! Crashes on me at least 1-2 a day (only during UT gameplay...) A friend of mine bought a ECS K7S5A SiS735 Chipset and it works like a charm! No problems whatsoever and no VIA! It's got 5 PCI slots, 1 4X AGP slot, 1 AMR slot Interested? Read more here... __________________ If you want peace, prepare for war..

15th Nov 2001, 04:08 PM	#7
hyrulian Rainbow Brite Join Date: May. 20th, 2001 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 9,545	I've built a computer with a VIA KT266A chipset mobo and AMD 761 chipset mobo (both DDR chipsets) both with no problems. __________________ My Profiles: Facebook :: MySpace :: Steam My Photo Album :: FragBU Community Wiki :: IRC Quotes

15th Nov 2001, 05:24 PM	#8
Ming the Merciless Cold Turkey! Join Date: May. 21st, 2001 Location: Planet Stone Cold Sober Posts: 305	Rooster and myself have Epoc motherboards. These are extremely fast and reliable boards with some really neat overclocking and trouble shooting features. __________________ The liver is evil and must be punished

16th Nov 2001, 04:57 PM	#10
Rooster Local Legend Join Date: Jan. 4th, 2000 Location: Fort Mill, SC Posts: 5,287	My recommendations in this order (if buying right now): Nice features / Best Performance: Epox EP-8KHA+ (VIA KT266A) or Microstar K7T266Pro2 (VIA KT266A) or nForce420 (MSI K7N420 PRO) Budget board / Great Performance: ECS K7S5A (SiS 735 chipset) (only 2 DDR slots) Unbeatable stability / Good Performance: EPoX 8K7A (AMD 761 chipset) (only 2DDR slots) No such thing as an "XP" board, only an XP chip or OS. But.. boards like the KT266A & nForce420 do have a board architecture that lends itself well to the benefits an XP CPU will provide. __________________ "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." John F. Kennedy My Rig(s)

15th Nov 2001, 12:30 AM	#3
qazix Lost Join Date: Mar. 31st, 2001 Posts: 661	I think some (if not all) of the mobos you listed have a VIA North or South Bridge chipset in them. Tyan's Tiger and Thunder K7 boards have AMD chipsets for both North and South. I know someone who hasn't had any probs with it, but ymmv. I'm mostly happy with my K7S5A with the SiS735 chipset. BTW, VIA's KT266A is out; supposed to fix the problems with the earlier revisions. Me, I'm avoiding VIA for the forseeable future.

15th Nov 2001, 01:28 PM	#5
qazix Lost Join Date: Mar. 31st, 2001 Posts: 661	Ehm... If you get a K7S5A, you should know that ECS had some QA problems (as in, some people got bad boards). Mine was fine, but that doesn't mean everyone got a good board. I'd still suggest going with Tyan, personally. All the reviews of the Thunder K7 suggest it has rock-solid stability (even though the AMD NB/SB isn't the latest revision).

15th Nov 2001, 03:40 PM	#6
Twisted Metal Anfractuous Aluminum Join Date: Jul. 28th, 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 7,004	Which chipset is the best?

15th Nov 2001, 08:16 PM	#9
SkaarjMaster enemy of time Join Date: Sep. 1st, 2000 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,357	I'm probably going to get an AMD version of an Asus, Abit, Biostar or Gigabyte MB. The ones I'm looking at do, yes, have AMD 761 north bridge and Via south bridge. Would this require Via 4 in1 drivers and fall under the category of problem Via-based boards or is it an AMD 761-based board with some Via features that don't require the drivers? Also, are there some AMD-based boards out that don't need Via drivers? Can XP boards run Win98SE with no problem? Thank you. SkaarjMaster

16th Nov 2001, 05:17 PM	#11
Rev Billy G Registered User Join Date: Aug. 22nd, 1999 Posts: 17	I'm running on an Epox 8k7a+ which is an AMD/Via hybrid board. It's the most stable board I've ever used. 99% of the problems people have with Via chipsets is that they install the wrong drivers. __________________ Visit Rev's Temple of Tartdom

16th Nov 2001, 06:56 PM	#12
ViperXL Great Car Join Date: Dec. 9th, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 586	ok, im running a Asus A7M266, it does have the AMD 761 chipset... I love it, it works great with UT, after i installed an AGP driver patch from AMD. Also, to answer your question on Win98, it runs perfectly with Win98, Win2k, and now WinXP (ive done all of them) Only down side is it's a bit expensive compared to some other Mobos... but it's stable! very __________________ "If you go flying back through time and you see somebody else flying forward into the future, it's probably best to avoid eye contact." -Jack Handy

16th Nov 2001, 08:35 PM	#13
SkaarjMaster enemy of time Join Date: Sep. 1st, 2000 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,357	Well, yeah, I guess I meant XP chip. Does Win98SE run fine with these chips? Also, Thanks ViperXL for giving a thumbs up to that Asus MB. SkaarjMaster

20th Nov 2001, 11:32 AM	#14
el Gato Has-Been Join Date: Jan. 19th, 2000 Location: outside Raleigh NC Posts: 3,522	What I have: Win 98se PIII 450 (slot 1) 8 MB voodoo3 AGP 10 g HD @ 5400 200 watt 3.3V power supply Mid tower case. ISA Diamond SupraExpress modem PCI SoundBlaster 128D 3 168-pin DIMM SDRAM PC100 slots w/ 192 MB memory installed. (64 + 128) What I'm looking at: EPoX EP-8K7A AMD 761 PC2100 DDR (200/266)MHz AGPset ATX CPU AMD Athlon XP 1600+ 1.4 GHz 266FSB Thermaltake A1139 (Volcano 6 Cu) Heat Sink & Cooling Fan $264, $277 shipped. Add $22 for a serial Diamond SupraExpress 56e modem, ~50 for a new power supply, and a stick of Crucial 256 DDR for $35. Maybe a new case (?). Total = $384 Now I need only $200 more dollars. I plan on upping the vid card at a later date. Please add your two cents if you want. Anything input would be great as I'm a total n00b to this mobo upgrading stuff. __________________

20th Nov 2001, 12:18 PM	#15
SkaarjMaster enemy of time Join Date: Sep. 1st, 2000 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,357	What's with EPox? I've never even considered them. Are they the cheapest MB's, but great quality/stability or what? Looking at the Asus now, but the local place that has it doesn't carry it anymore so I may have to order it. Does Win98SE run fine with an Athlon XP chip? SkaarjMaster

20th Nov 2001, 03:29 PM	#18
StarKilLer{MOK} Registered User Join Date: Nov. 1st, 2001 Location: ATL Posts: 30	MB I just switched from my old Slot-A T-bird Athlon on the MSI-6167(AMD 751 Chipset) Rock Solid it was, slow though becaus eof 100mhz Mem. Bus. 2 X AGP. Swithed to MSI-6330(K7Pro-2A), runs great, Not as stable as the AMD board but a lot faster.(the things we sacrifice for speed.) If i could i would have a Tyan Board or a board the the 761 AGP component, or the N-Force chipset. __________________ Prepare To Die!!! Hail To The King Baby!!!

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