The VERY best mobo for my k6+
The VERY best mobo for my k6+
Hi guys, time ago I sold my gigabyte Ga-5AX rev5.2, now I'm looking for a mobo to set uo another k6+ system.
I need the best in OC and gaming performance.
I know K6+ is not for gamers, but I want to spill every FPS out from my beloved brother.
I prefer an ATX board.
Please tell me what u think.
I need the best in OC and gaming performance.
I know K6+ is not for gamers, but I want to spill every FPS out from my beloved brother.
I prefer an ATX board.
Please tell me what u think.
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- Senior K6'er
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:25 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
My experience is limited - I "discovered" the K6+ CPUS just recently - BUT I've had fun so far!
I've used two boards so far, a PC Chips M598 and an EPoX EP-MVP3G2. (I also have several other versions of the EPoX SS7 boards based on the MVP3 chipset and a couple of the ASUS P5A boards.) I think that the EPoX boards are rock-solid. No problems so far, anyway. The PC Chips is limited in its functions, and although runs very stable, I would recommend the EPoX board over it.
I've used two boards so far, a PC Chips M598 and an EPoX EP-MVP3G2. (I also have several other versions of the EPoX SS7 boards based on the MVP3 chipset and a couple of the ASUS P5A boards.) I think that the EPoX boards are rock-solid. No problems so far, anyway. The PC Chips is limited in its functions, and although runs very stable, I would recommend the EPoX board over it.
Not really true....mamba wrote:But the mvp3g2 has a memory limit to 3x128mbytes...
It hoped to bild a fast system with 512megs...
That is correct according to the owner manuals, but real life experience is VERY different. As long as you use low density, double-sided modules you can use 256MB sticks in the DIMM sockets. One of my EP-MVP3G2 boards currently has 640MB of RAM installed (and yes, it runs). You can also check out Crucial Memory's website (see http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... &submit=Go) to see that they recommend 256MB modules, guaranteed by their Memory Advisor.
The EPoX EP-MVP3G5 is also a very good board and has 2MB of on-board L2 cache, which becomes L3 cache when using K6-"plus" CPUs. The Tyan S1598 (C1 and C2) boards are also highly sought after. Although most of my boards are EPoX SS7 boards based on the MVP3 chipset, I would love to get my hands on the TYAN S1598C2. These SS7 boards are based on the sameMVP3 chipset, but use a better Southbridge chip than my EPoX boards.
I have not used a Soltek board, but it seems to be well-regarded. Some other boards that I have seen good reports on (but no personal experience with yet) are the Gigabyte GA-5AA, ASUS P5A and the P5A-B, the FIC VA-503A and PA-2013, the DFI K6BV3+/66 and K6XV3+/66.
Some things to watch out for (but you probably already know them):
1. Be sure the AGP slot is 1x and 2x, and not just 1x.
2. Get boards that support UDMA 66, unless you plan to add an ATA card.
3. Get a board with enough PCI slots.
4. The Via chipsets (MVP3, MVP4, etc.) do support memory interleaving. The EPoX BIOS will allow you to enable interleaving -- then you don't have to use third-party software to gain that functionality.
5. Use a 7200RPM hard drive.
6. Get a good video card with plenty of on-card memory. Avoid using on-board (meaning on the mobo) video.
7. Balance your installed RAM with your operating system and your CPU.
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- Senior K6'er
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:25 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
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- Senior K6'er
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:25 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
The EPoX boards for SS7 (EP-MVP3C2, EP-MVP3G-M, EP-MVP3G2, EP-MVP3G5 to name a few) sometimes show up on eBay. Probably on other auction sites, as well.
I have a "retirement home" for these EPoX boards (having several of each of those mentioned above) where they can live out their golden years. I also have their "friends" (Intel [MMX and non-MMX] and AMD CPUs [K6, K6-2, K6-Plus], HDDs, video and sound cards, etc.) staying with them indefinitely. Some of their ASUS buddies are there also.
I MIGHT be willing to let one go.....
I have a "retirement home" for these EPoX boards (having several of each of those mentioned above) where they can live out their golden years. I also have their "friends" (Intel [MMX and non-MMX] and AMD CPUs [K6, K6-2, K6-Plus], HDDs, video and sound cards, etc.) staying with them indefinitely. Some of their ASUS buddies are there also.
I MIGHT be willing to let one go.....
EP-MVP3G2 Rev 1.0 (8/6/01 BIOS) -- K6-2+ 550ACZ @ 618MHz (103MHz FSB) 640MB PC100
EP-MVP3G5 Rev1.4 (8/6/01 BIOS) -- K6III+ 500ANZ @ various MHz
EP-MVP3G5 Rev1.4 (8/6/01 BIOS) -- K6III+ 500ANZ @ various MHz
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- Senior K6'er
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:25 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
What the different in the Southbridge chip?Anonymous wrote: The EPoX EP-MVP3G5 is also a very good board and has 2MB of on-board L2 cache, which becomes L3 cache when using K6-"plus" CPUs. The Tyan S1598 (C1 and C2) boards are also highly sought after. Although most of my boards are EPoX SS7 boards based on the MVP3 chipset, I would love to get my hands on the TYAN S1598C2. These SS7 boards are based on the sameMVP3 chipset, but use a better Southbridge chip than my EPoX boards.
I still own an AOpen AX59pro... and have found it to OC as well as my Epox EP-MVP3C2 (both hitting 600Mhz on K62's), it certianly has the fsb options covered nicely too (via a switch bank), oh and the SDram can be set @ a seperate speed (AGP) to the CPU's fsb, from memory this was so people could use up their PC-66 memory modules
It also boasts 3x (3pin) fan headers... 2x 72pin RAM slots, which interestingly can be run with SDram concurrently (an uncommon feature IME) and naturally 3 x SDram slots
It's also worth mentioning... that thus far (touch wood) I've not had to replace a single capacitor... unlike Epox/Gigabyte of the same era, though to be fair this could simply be a low milage motherboard
The onboard heat sensors IME didn't work too well with third party software... but were ok with AOpen's hardware monitor package
Memory wise... it's only supposed to support 3 x 128Mb sticks... but I don't know if they considered the concurrently running 72pin ram slots inclusive of that support limit?
It also boasts 3x (3pin) fan headers... 2x 72pin RAM slots, which interestingly can be run with SDram concurrently (an uncommon feature IME) and naturally 3 x SDram slots
It's also worth mentioning... that thus far (touch wood) I've not had to replace a single capacitor... unlike Epox/Gigabyte of the same era, though to be fair this could simply be a low milage motherboard
The onboard heat sensors IME didn't work too well with third party software... but were ok with AOpen's hardware monitor package
Memory wise... it's only supposed to support 3 x 128Mb sticks... but I don't know if they considered the concurrently running 72pin ram slots inclusive of that support limit?