AMD & Motherboard

***Nyc_Tattoo*** · January 22nd, 2001

I'm thinking of getting a 1 ghz AMD Thunderbird and an Asus A7V motherboard.
I've heard of compatibility issues and problems that some people are having.
Anyone have any recommendations or have had any problems.

It will be replacing my current motherboard, a p3 600.

my video card is a voodoo 5500
256 megs of sdram (100's)
8x dvd (ide) w/ hollywood decoder card
acer 6x4x32 cdrw (ide)
1 gb Syquest sparq removable hd (ide)
8 gb maxtor hd (ide)
intio ultrawide scsi controller
4.2 gb segate hd (scsi)
sb live value edition

the 1ghz and mb is $312 + s/h
the 1.1 ghz and mb is $364 + s/h
I don't think the extra 100 mhz is worth $52 dollars. If you know of better prices, or any compatibility issues with the components I've listed , please let me know.

Thanks,
so come on people, what do you think?

[This message has been edited by Nyc_Tattoo (edited 01-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nyc_Tattoo (edited 01-22-2001).]

***FlyingPenguin*** · January 22nd, 2001

Be aware of the following:

SBLive and SCSI adapters are prone to a problem related to PCI IRQ channel sharing (this is NOT the same as an IRQ conflict).

This problem is very common with NICs, some PCI sound cards (the SBLive in particular) and SCSI controller cards. These cards do NOT like to share a PCI IRQ channel I explain the problem in detail here with a fix: http://voodooextreme.com/flypenguin/glfaq5.htm#5_9

Because of this problem, I STONGLY urge that when you install the new mobo, you ONLY install the video card before booting up your old installation or even if you install Windows clean. Mobo swaps and new Windows installtions go MUCH smoother if you only install the video card alone, THEN add each card ONE BY ONE once Windows is up and running and all the mobo drivers are installed.

Be aware than there will be several motherboard drivers required to be installed for the AMD mobo. Don't even bother with the ones that come with the board, but download the latest ones from the manufacturer's web site.

If you plan on using Win2K, go to AMD's web site for a registry patch that corrects an AGP bug in Win2K when running on an AMD mobo.

------------------

The Flying Penguin
http://TheFlyingPenguin.com

***jojo_the_fish*** · January 22nd, 2001

I have this system:

AMD 1Ghz
Asus A7V motherboard
Crucial 256MB PC100 Ram
SoundBlaster LIVE! X-gamer 5.1
Voodoo5 5500 64mb
45gig IDE ATA100 HD
SCSi 160 controller card (no drives currently)

I have had zero compatability problems with this setup, which is similar to yours. No problems in stalling any of it, or adding anything new since using it:
Wacom Tablet
External USB CDRW drive

the_fish

***Nyc_Tattoo*** · January 22nd, 2001

Thanks for the info F.P.
one question though. after booting with just the video card, which do you recommend putting in first? the sound card or the scsi controller?

[This message has been edited by Nyc_Tattoo (edited 01-22-2001).]

***mgjk0000*** · January 24th, 2001

Ref your choice of motherboard. The Asus A7V is apparently a great motherboard and lots of big vendors are using it.

Having said all of that, it uses a KT133 chipset (not that there's anything wrong with that). Basically you should know that there is now a KT133A chipset available. This supports more options, specifically processors running with 133Mhz FSB, which the KT133 does not.
If you want better future proofing, buy one of these instead. Probably the best of these is the Abit KT7A, available in std and raid format.

***Jincilla*** · January 24th, 2001

When you want a good and fast running AMD
go for the Thunderbird 1,2Ghz with the new
KT7A-RAID motherboard.
The new motherboard comes with a 266Mhz FSB.
Of course you need at least a 1Ghz CPU to use this new FSB speed.
The motherboard also comes with certain new features, but you can read all about it at http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardwa...id/default.asp

[This message has been edited by Jincilla (edited 01-24-2001).]

***Nyc_Tattoo*** · January 25th, 2001

Well I ordered the motherboard and the chip.
Now I have another problem. I can't hook up my hard drives to the ATA 100 controller because of my voodoo 5500 card it too long. ARGH!
I'll have to put them on the reg ide controller :<

***Nyc_Tattoo*** · January 26th, 2001

Thanks for your help everyone.

Got the motherboard and chip today, and have the system up and running already.

Damn this is fast, it's nice to see windows 98 load up in less than 15 seconds!

(I'm sure the ATA/100 hard drives help too)

Special thanks to Flying Penguin, I got the current voodoo 5 drivers off your site. Doesn't seem to be working from 3dfx.com