Should I Sell My Epox 8k7a+ For $50 Less To Get An Iwillxp333-r ?

[mx]

Should I sell my Epox 8K7A+ for $50 less than what I paid to get an IWILL XP 333-R ?

I have 2x KINGMAX PC2700 256MB, 2X 40GB MAXTOR ATA 133, 2X XP1800+ on the way, one of the cpu's is for friend, I had purchased the EPOX board a month ago in anticipation of a new water cooled box.....and the board is still in the box!

The water block is a MAZE2 from DANGER DEN with 1/2 inch fittings, have'nt purchased the pump yet (please reccomend) and also should I consider water blocks for anything else in this system ?
Also compact fridge from WALMART.

CASE--ANTEC SX840 (500 watt PSU) with all 5 80mm(SUNON) fans installed....hope it does'nt sound like a crop duster with these fans!

The video card is the same as the one in my SIG because I got two of them on UBID at a good price.

BTW I'll post again when I'm holding the XP'S in my hand to see which steppings you guys think is the best for overclocking.....that is if they are'nt the same.....LOL

:burn: :burn:

[earthdick]

What is the main reason for getting an XP333-R over the 8k7a+ that you have now? Is it supposed to overclock better, or is it just the RAID feature? Are there better features on the Iwill as opposed to the Epox? If the two MB's are close in features you may just want to hold off to make sure that the XP333-R will support the .13 micron Thoroughbreds.

[mx]

Yes it has better features but I dont know how it compares to the Epox performance wise.
The EPOX 8K7A+ is the raid version

IWILL XP333-R Features;
Chipset
ALi MAGiK 1 M1647 (C-version) chipset
ALi M1535D+ (South Bridge)
Highpoint HPT372 ATA/133 IDE RAID controller
C-Media CMI8738 MX Sound Chip


Bus Frequency
Supports 266/200 MHz FSB
MicroStepping Iwill CPU Frequency Setting
Bye-Bye Jumper Iwill Smart Setting (software CPU frequency setting)


System Memory
DDR333 enables 2.7 GB/s peak bandwidth
3 x 184-pin DIMM sockets support up to 3 GB of PC2700/PC2100 DDR memory


On Board IDE RAID
Highpoint HPT372 IDE RAID controller
Dual ATA/133 IDE channels
RAID 0, 1, 0+1 functions


On Board IDE
Dual ATA/133 IDE Channels
Backwards compatible with all parallel ATA


Audio

Support 6 channel speakers (5.1 configuration)
32-voice HRTF-base 3D positional audio
Supports Microsoft DirectSound 3D and Aureal A3D
Supports EAX sound effects (Environment Audio eXtension)
Supports SPDIF via IWILL SuperAudio (optional)


I/O Interface
1 x SMBus header
1 x FDD
1 x Parallel port
2 x PS/2 connectors for mouse and keyboard (Supports Auto Swapping)
1 x Internal IR connector
2 x Serial ports
1 x MIDI/Joystick/Audio port
4 x USB ports (2 x internal)



Expansion Slots
1 x AGP Slot (AGP 4X/2X mode)
5 x PCI 2.2 Bus Master Slots


BIOS
2 Mb EEPROM with Flash Protection
"Bye-Bye Jumper" IWILL Smart Setting
PC99 Compliant
Supports Plug and Play (PnP)
Supports ACPI 1.0
Supports APM 1.2
Supports DMI 2.1


Power Management
Supports voltage monitoring
Supports fan ON/OFF control signal
Supports temperature sensor
Suppports power on by LAN/Ext, Int Modem/PS2 Keyboard, Mouse/RTC/PME
Supports resume by LAN/Ext, Int Modem/PS2 Keyboard, Mouse/RTC/PME
Supports BIOS ROM Flash Control
Supports manually assign PC IRQ


Board Size
ATX Form Factor - 12 in x 9.7 in (305 mm x 244 mm)

:burn: :burn:

[earthdick]

Checking out the Iwill forum (http://www.amdmb.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=19), if you are going to get the XP333-R you need to make sure you get the 2.1 version. There has been some problems with earlier versions. I searched the Epox forum (http://www.amdmb.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=9) but haven't found any head to head comparisons for you yet. There is a motherboard roundup (http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.html?i=1578) but the comparisons to the XP333 is with the Epox 8KHA+. I like to see what real users have experienced, rather than just the reviews. I'll keep checking for you.

[Yodums]

Joe on the front page said it has good features but performance is horrible.

Check the front page or it should be in motherboard reviews.

I'd get me a raid card instead!

Yodums

[mx]

Thanks guys......I think I'll keep my EPOX, it is a good overclockers board and a proven performer.

:burn: :burn:

[Yodums]

Originally posted by mx
Thanks guys......I think I'll keep my EPOX, it is a good overclockers board and a proven performer.

:burn: :burn:

Your Epox is already good and has Raid no need to change.

I'd go with what you went as well.

Yodums