Abit or Soyo that is the question.....

[samuknow]

Here's the deal. I have a PII 450 I'm gonna throw together for a second machine. I found acouple of mobos just not sure which one to get. I don't want to spend a butt load of cash but still want decent performance and clockability.

The 2 boards in question are the Soyo SY6ICA and the Abit BE6.

Both are similar in features. The Abit boars is gonna cost about 30$ more US.
Which board is the better bang for the buck? And lest flex your knowledge here please. WHY is the big question?


Thanks as always ......

 

[DaveB]

The SY6ICA is an i820 chipset mobo that requires RDRAM. It will run fine since it doesn't have the translator hub that caused all the problems with the i820/SDRAM mobos. However, the RDRAM is still a little more expensive than high quality CAS2 SDRAM even though the price has come down.

I would recommend the Soyo SY-6BA+IV. I own this board and it is a rock stable overclocking board. It is directly comparable to the Abit BE6-II. and IMO, is better made and more stable. The original BE6 is not a good one, the BE6-II or BF6 are better. But, I'm thinking your looking to go cheap here since the Soyo SY-6ICA is going for about $50.

 

[logos]

i am an abit fanatic but unless in this case... looks like you are not looking for the latest greatest bestest... the soyo might be better. that board has onboard sound, too, right? if your not planning on overclocking that could also save more $$

 

[samuknow]

Thanks guys...

I guess I didn't realize the rdram cost. So I will prob pass on the Soyo. I am looking to put together a rig and all I need is a mobo. I want to stay under 100$ (the lower the better) and of course be able to do some oc ing. That's what were here for. I found the be6 for 65 plus shipping that's why I was considering it. I have searched pricewatch till my eyes bled. (well, were blood shot) I want to stay with the BX chip set. Any ideas. I don't want to break any records with this thing just something i can get decent oc from....

Thanks as always....

 

[Blue Jester_2112]

I have no experience with Soyo, but my roomate did have 2 Soyo boards burn out on him this past year and he doesn't OC. I'm not saying Soyo isn't good, that's just the only experience with Soyo I can relate. I'm a big ABIT fan, if you want the best then go with them. If you choose the Be6 then try to get a Be6-2 and you might want to check out the Bf6. ABIT is a bit more expensive but you definately get what you pay for. You might want to check out what Asus has to offer as well, their boards are quality too and you might find some good prices on slightly older ones.

 

[explorer]

I would also say that depending on how large of an issue money is I'd go with the Soyo, I love Abit, but if you want a rock solid cheap board than the Soyo is for you.

 

[Mr B]

The Soyo 6BA+IV is a great board. I've got the previous version (6BA+III) and the biggest difference is the addition of the Highpoint ATA66 controller (the +III only has ATA33).

I got my C600 to run on the +III at 1053 MHz. I can't get it to run near that fast, on a much newer Asus (P3C2000)

When the $$ comes, I'm getting a 2nd case, and building a rig around the Soyo/Celeron. Pisser combo, IMHO.... not as fast as my P/// @954, but still mighty quick.

Mr B

 

[Rainmaker]

Soyo makes great bx boards. Two things to look out for though: limited vcore adjustments (not that big a problem w/ vcore adj. capable sockets) and no vio adjustments. The Soyo boards are cheaper and rock solid but the Abit boards have more features.

 

[Rainmaker]

BTW.. Remember the Aopen AX6BC boards. They were right up there with Soyo 6ba+III,IV and Asus P3b-f. They're pretty cheap now that's nobody's buying bx boards that much.

 

[batboy]

Several people have already said this, but get the BE6-II mobo, not the first version BE6. I love Abit too, but the first version was not all that stable and probably should be avoided if you're planning to overclock. Maybe an Abit BH6 mobo would be cheaper?

 

[Newbie_Doo]

I run a Soyo SY6VCA (Via chipset) Slot 1 board and it is a great board. I will agree to disagree with the devout 440BX fans, even though the BX chipset is obsolescing rapidly.

While the Via chipset has had a bad reputation for memory throughput in its early evolutions, I think that you will find that it ranks quite comparably with the other chipsets out there right now.

The Intel i815 chipset had early teething problems and memory throughput issues early on too. It has since surpassed the venerated 440BX chipset and supports the current processors better at high front-side bus speeds.

Buy the board that supports your processor, using SDRAM, and which has the features that you desire. Given the choice between a 440BX, an i815, or an Apollo Pro 133a, I'd take either of the latter, but ONLY because it will have a longer future for upgradeability.

(And DaveB, before you jump on me, I set my dad up with a P3-800 and a BX133 RAID for his new box because I knew he wasn't going to try to overclock it. Different strokes-that's all.)

Anthony

 

[[OC]Lucifer]

I must say that I would suggest going with the Abit. The BX chipset in a Abit board I believe will always be the most reliable and quickest mobo chipset. It is aging, but for now that is nothing an ATA 100 controller cant fix. Im running a BX6-2 and Ive been running an ATA 100 controller and my Celery at 1008 for a year now.

 

[samuknow]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I had a Soyo board b4 and was very happy with it. I have had some recent experience with an Abit board and once I finally got it stable and running it was also a good mobo. This being a second box, I am wnating to spend as little as possible and still get some decent oc ing. I found a good Soyo in the price range I wanted and it has plenty of fsb settings. It does have the Via chip set but I think it will be fine now that the drivers are getting up to speed. It is the 6VBA pro.

Again many thanks......

 

[Blue Jester_2112]

Let us know how everything turns out with the second box and how you like the MB.

Peace

 

[samuknow]

I sure will....I should have it on Fri. I hope.

Thanks again all...........