Any thoughts on this combo?

JustinJustin Atlanta
edited February 2004 in Hardware
I am looking at this for my wife...

EPoX KM400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "EP-8KMM3I" -RETAIL N82E16813123201
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron Processors
Chipset: VIA KM400 AGPSet + VT8235CE
Max FSB: 333MHz
RAM: 2x DIMM for DDR333/266/200 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 3x PCI(32-bit)
Ports: 2xPS2,1xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,1xVGA,6xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 AC97 6-Channel full-duplex
Onboard Video: UniChrome Graphics Core
Onboard LAN: VIA VT6103 PHY 10/100M Fast Ethernet
Form Factor: Micro ATX

PowMax Black Micro-ATX Case w/ 230W Power Supply, Model 3304 Black - Retail N82E16811145003
Specifications:
Form Factor: MicroATX
Color: Black
Material: Metal
Drive Bays: External 1 x 5.25" - 2 x 3.5" Internal 1 x 3.5"
Expansion Slots: 4
Front Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, 2x speaker and microphone jacks
Power Supply: 230W micro ATX12V
Cooling System: 2xRear system fan support: 60mm
Motherboard Compatibility: MicroATX
Dimensions: 330x340x135(WxLxH)
Special Features: Plastic front pan, Smooth edge prevent cutting hands, Space saving design w/ color matched stands

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
Specification N82E16819103379
Model: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
Core: Barton
Operating Frequency: 1.83GHz
FSB: 333MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

Extreme budget I know. It has three 60mm fans spots though and I think I may mod them out to 80mm. The board seems pretty solid but all of the micro ATX get mixed reviews on New Egg. This is a starter system that may end up being overclocked someday but will run stock now. This of course is not the whole system, I will be using the RAM, HD, DVD+/-, and Vid card out of another system. Should I go with this or do you all, and I know you do, have any suggestions? :crazy:

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2004
    Epox boards have a reputation for dying for no reason, from what I've heard. Even though I have the cold from hell right now, I'll see what I can find.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    KM400 is abysmal, and EpoX boards DO die for no reason.

    They're ****ty.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Might I recommend this instead:

    BIOSTAR nForce2 IGP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "M7NCG 400" -RETAIL N82E16813138234

    Specifications:
    Supported CPU: AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors
    Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 IGP + MCP
    FSB: 200/266/333/400MHz
    RAM: 3x DIMM support Duan Channel DDR400/333/266/200 Max 3GB
    IDE: 2x UltraDMA 33/66/100/133 up to 4 Devices
    Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 3x PCI, 1x CNR
    Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,1xVGA,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xLAN,1xGAME,Audio Ports
    Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 6-Channel AC97 CODEC
    Onboard Video: GeForce4 MX
    Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201BL 10/100Mbps
    Form Factor: Micro ATX

    Granted, Biostar isn't a great brand either, but at least it's not a VIA chipset...
  • JustinJustin Atlanta
    edited February 2004
    That board was my second choice... Any other thoughts? Does the above board have OC availability? What are the benefits of that board?
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Yes, it's OC'able - it's the NF2 chipset, so it locks the PCI and AGP frequencies. In other words, overclocking the CPU FSB doesn't cause a problem with the other devices you have installed in the system.

    It also has dual-channel DDR, which increases overall system performance, and gives a big boost to the video card performance. The built-in video in the Biostar is better than that of the Epox, because it's GF4 MX isntead of UniChrome.

    To run the dual channel DDR though, you'll need 2 matching sticks of RAM in slots 1 and 3 of the board.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2004
    Is there any reason it's microATX, other than cost? What I mean is, is size and appearance a factor, or what?

    What does she need in terms of size, appearance, and noise?
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited February 2004
    the Asus A7n266-vm board is good. Has onboard video and soundstorm audio. I have one in my entertainment pc and love it. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-433&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Asus and MSI also make similar mobos.
    You can get nForce in microatx, but not 400FSB or MCP-T.
    It would make a cute little box though.
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited February 2004
    Sorry, it didn't register that the 2500+ is a 333mhz chip. It won't work in the board I suggested. But a new 1.4 or 1.6 Duron would work great for a great price ($40). They are great little chips. That's less than $100 for mobo and proc.
Sign In or Register to comment.