Iwill KK266-R or Abit KT7A RAID mobo?

[brojoh2]

Oh boy . . . here we go - I'm finally leaving the Abit KT7-RAID behind for either a KT7A-RAID or an Iwill KK266-R. Actually I have the Abit KT7A on the way because I had erroneous info. about the Iwill but that's another story - I'll turn it (the Abit) right around and send it back if that's my final decision. I'm really looking for more than partisan "Iwill rocks" or "Abit rules" type input here if I can get it.

I anticipate upgrading my processor at some point in the future. Would either board be better in that respect?

I'd like to ask about some of the features of the Iwill board. I'd like to get some feedback on the DDR aspect or capabilities of the board. I really don't know too much about that. What real world difference does that make? Also, I'd like to ask about the onboard sound capabilities. Generally speaking, onboard functions such as these are inferior to, for instance, Soundblaster. Is that the case with this board? What other features does this board have to endear it to users?

I am interested in maintaining my RAID config. but also want to take this beast to performance levels not previously attainable - which isn't much of a stretch! I've seen reviews which support both boards performance. Are there any particular attributes of either board that are not in common to the other? Either one of them consistently outperform the other in some aspect or another?

I'm runnin':
Water cooled Tbird 900 that I haven't been able to get past 1050 (using defogger)
FSB hasn't budged from 33/100
Dual IBM 7200 RPM 30 GB HD in RAID 0
Be Cooling radiator and block
Eheim 1046 pump

I do plan on completely re-doing my defogger job . . . re-doing everything when I rebuild this puppy so, hopefully, all gets done better the next time around!

 

[GOD]

don`t think getting a DDR board atm is very good
since there is no really diff in performance for the price diff.
i think u should make your choice to three.
MSI`s K7T turbo R is also a very good board.
it is the most stable board atm .
but if u want a board to oc the crapout would be the KT7A.
but if u want the best performance for clock for clock.
then u can`t go past the ASUS .
So there is your choice.
stability = MSI K7T turbo R.
MAX ocing = ABIT KT7A..
MAX performance = ASUS.....
don`t reconmend DDR boards atm.

GOD.....

 

[Eriksson]

I would wait for two reasons.
1
Most ppl agree that DDR is no great success YET. Going DDR might be ok for someone in need for a new system right now, but its future is not quite clear. There is limited performance gain to be had at the moment over similar sdram setups, and at higer cost.

2
Upgrating from Abit KT7-R to Abit KT7A-R is in my opinion waste of time and money. You should be running your memory at 133 mhz already, so there is not much room for improvements. I swapped my good ol KT7-R for a new KT7A-R. The only difference I can see is more problems. I think the KT7A board has better upgrade path though, but then again you can buy new board when you upgrade to bigger chip instead of now

 

[samuknow]

I have not had any good experience with the kt7a or the kt7a-r. After helping two friends setup each of these boards I'm not sure I would ever buy one. Setup stability was and still is rough. Especially if you are going to use a USB device. Yes these are great OCers and that is what this is about. But I also don't want to spend a week or so getting the system stable just from the start. From what I have read the Asus board is the most stable and better performing. Good luck

 

[samuknow]

I have not had any good experience with the kt7a or the kt7a-r. After helping two friends setup each of these boards I'm not sure I would ever buy one. Setup stability was and still is rough. Especially if you are going to use a USB device. Yes these are great OCers and that is what this is about. But I also don't want to spend a week or so getting the system stable just from the start. From what I have read the Asus board is the most stable and better performing. Good luck

 

[bruce]

Who said anything about a KK266 and DDR? I own a KK266(not R), it uses the same chipset as as the Abit (VIA 133A), so both use regular ole SDRam. Now the KA266 is a DDR board, but that uses another chipset. As for which is better, Tom's ( www.tomshardware.com ) has a good roundup of VIA 133A boards, he gives the Iwill a thumbs up, and it is cheaper! Also the KT7A from what I've read is a KT7 with a VIA 686B southbridge (same with the Asus as well), Iwill completely redesigned their board for the 133A chipset. Fullon3D has the best FAQ on the Iwill KK266. If you're building for the future and the KA266 is what you're lookin at, DDR may deliver a bit more performance with the Palimino and that might be the board you want. Goodluck!

 

[Da Whip]

Do the math! Most of the problem posts here are Abit KT7/7A Raid or not or Asus A7V' . Hell they cannot even get running stable w/o an act of God (not you GOD-demi) There was a reason I went w/ Iwill, ther used to be a FAQ called "Paul's Unofficial FAQ for KT7 MOBO'" I think he ran out of disc space. The site had ( I am not kidding) 97 printable pages.
Now who in their right mind would want something that comes, basically w/ a 97 page fix it manual. Sick Masocistic Peeps. That is like buying a Harley, you need to buy a mechanic w/ it.
( If that does not raise some dander!)

 

[Aftershock]

I bought an Iwilll KK266 working just great for me. The 100/133 jumper is not that bothersome at all. On board sound, if I ever decide to yank my SB Live. It was cheaper, and Ed I believe had a few tests and KK266 w/ similar settings to KT7A, KK266 outperformed it.

Iwill's been good about their bios too, they've released their SB Live 686b bios final version alreayd, while Abit only has a beta.

Can't go wrong either way.

 

[Aftershock]

I bought an Iwilll KK266 working just great for me. The 100/133 jumper is not that bothersome at all. On board sound, if I ever decide to yank my SB Live. It was cheaper, and Ed I believe had a few tests and KK266 w/ similar settings to KT7A, KK266 outperformed it.

Iwill's been good about their bios too, they've released their SB Live 686b bios final version alreayd, while Abit only has a beta.

Can't go wrong either way.

 

[el]

When oc on a fsb and you get a no post it is sweet just boot(move the jumper) to a 100mhz and it post and you can adjust the multiplier no need to clear to default CMOS or nothing. makes OCing easy.