comments on new 815 vs 440 chipset?

[ap]

Thinking of going with a motherboard (ABIT SE6) with the new intel 815E chipset. Because: it's ready to go with UDMA 100 drives and 133 mhz memory.

I'm thinking that

1)overclocking and
2)slocket? converters and
3)extra UDMA controllers are more trouble and expense than just getting a board ready to go.

Problem is I think

4)ABIT SE6 has onboard sound and video which I understand is a no-no and
5)the 815E chipset is unproven.

Is there anything I'm missing or should know?
How important is UDMA 100 and 133 mhz anyway?
Anyone have the 815E or heard anything about it?

 

[Emeric]

I haven't tried the 815 chipset yet, and I doubt I will. Integrated graphics and audio sucks. What is it with these companies?? I'll tell you a short story. I had a customer looking for system, he gave me sheet of the system spec's, and the only alteration I made was with the mainboard, replaced it with a Asus P3V4X instead of some Tyan thing.

Anyway, I built the thing, started testing it. The graphics card gave me a hell of time installing drivers (ATI Maxx 64MB). I finally got the video to go to high colour mode. Install the DVD software - lockup. Install a 3rd party DVD program - plays but is choppy. Did some reasearch on the internet - the Rage Fury Maxx has problems with the VIA appollo pro chipset.

RMA's the video card, at my expense, as well I don't get cash back - credit only. I ended up replacing it with a ASUS V6800 Nvidia based chipset card. Excellent card, no problems. I will not sell another ATI product again. (not the first time I've said this..) Very pissed off at VIA as well, but that isn't hard. It's like a flashback in this industry.

Anyways, enough of my personal rants...

The Intel 440BX chipset is still a vary viable route. It's tried, tested and very compatible.

133 versus 100MHZ? Not a big diff, The machine I was working on was a PIII 800 with 133FSB. I didn't test it doing audio or anything, but I can sortof tell that there is not a significant difference.

Semi-pro/pro audio cards like intel chipsets. Anything else and you can expect problems. Either ones you can work out, or the unsolvable.

If you do decide to go 440BX (please do) check out the ASUS CUBX or the P3BF/f1, the ABIT BF6, or the MSI 6163.

Good luck!

 

[Emeric]

Won't let me edit my message.... anyway.

ATA/33 versus ATA/66


Not a big difference, and not really implemented that well at this time. The only company I know that is putting out ATA/100 hard drives is Maxtor. And I'm sure that's just a ploy to get people to buy their drives. I've seen way too many Maxtors die (amazing warranty - they need it). I'd like to see them get ATA/66 up to spec before moving to ATA/100.

Quantum is the way to go at the moment, IMHO.


anyway.. i've ranted enough.



[Edited by Emeric on 08-04-2000 at 18:08]

 

[ap]

Hey thanks, Emeric. I'm seriously considering the CUBX. On some other post you mention that it has no onboard sound and has an ATA66 controller; but, in Aberdeen's ad in Computer Shopper it lists the CUBX as having AC-97 integrated audio and no integrated drive controller. Do know what that's all about? In either case how much does it matter one way or the other?

 

[ola]

Check out the CUBX spec on Asus site. Emeric is right about no built in audio etc. The CUBX looks like a great card and if I go for single CPU, that'll be the card I go for.