Need a Socket A alternative, requirements inside.

[Voodoo Rufus]

I recently purchased one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-153&depa=0

It has been nothing but trouble and I may need to RMA it soon.

What I need is a Socket A board with the following features:

200MHZ stability, NF2 Ultra 400
Preferably a thermal diode reader
ATX12V
Overclocking nice but not required
Mobile Barton compatibility.
SATA

I had an A7N8X which was rock solid for me until I broke it (don't ask). I could get another one if need be but the power reg system is very weak on it for OCing. And it doesn't unlock the >13x multis.

I was looking at this refurb as a replacement:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-138R&type=Refurbished

Feedback on mainboard refurbs would be nice, but how is that board in general? Are there any others I should look at? I am on a <$100 budget as well.

 

[Balrog]

Epox 8RDA3i Pro - $60.00 delivered

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-234&depa=0

Still listed as "Out of stock" but due in today

My buddy runs his @2.6Ghz/230FSB with Mobile 2400+

400 Ultra + MCP-S w/ Naitive SATA/PATA RAID

Regards, Balrog

 

[Sentential]

Dude.... a refurbed DFI is like... trying to walk through a mine field. Odds are you're gonna lose a leg or two

 

[Xtreme Barton]

if your into risk then go for it.. the board itself is an awesome one !! excellent performer/oc'er.. good price too.

its hard telling though if a guy sent it back and said i dont want it, i want XXX board instead. well he may have killed it already and not telling the whole story.. and that leads to a nightmare for others buying refurbed stuff.. i heard many different stories on how refurbed stuff is handled...

they re-stock as refurbed:
if an exchange is wanted for a different item ( they cant sell item new twice)
if a item is refunded (cant sell item new twice)
*both the above options are inlcuded if any pieces are missing too. manual, cd, floppy disk, the mobo/case back panel, a ide cable, etc...

all doa's and damaged boards returned from manufacturer for re-sale.

you got a 1/3 chance*

*but that would really depend on how many they have, who claimed what for returning it ..

 

[Xtreme Barton]

oh i forgot to add if you have the time.. you could order it from egg and send to dfi if it is bad .. they will most likely send you a new one..

and you may or may not have got all the stuff in the packaging from egg to begin with ..

 

[SunRedRX7]

I've had good luck with refurbs from newegg. One didn't work(Dead BIOS), called them up shipped it back, complained a bit about wasting my time trouble shooting it, and they gave me a $6.00 credit for the shipping. They probably don't do that often, but your worst case scenario is your out $6.00 to UPS it back.

 

[Voodoo Rufus]

I may have figured out how to stabilize my DFI board, so I may not need to ship it back. It all depends how it reacts to a 2x256 pair of BH5 stuffed in it.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like it is hit and miss for refurb boards then, but also the choices for decent socket A boards is dwindling too.

 

[Xtreme Barton]

egg is excellent with returning stuff.. if i ever get doa or damged stuff i always get refunded shipping back to them and i have them upgrade return shipping to overnight !!

the key is to be nice !! explain how much you love them and how much you really need your part ..lol