KT7-RAID vs A7V
Written: Nov 07 '00 (Updated Nov 08 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Layout, UDMA 100, Very Overclocking Friendly
Cons: Pricey, can't set Multiplier setting in BIOS.
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| hwangster's Full Review: Asus A7V |
Let's get to the point, you want this motherboard because you want to overclock your Duron/T-bird......right? We all know that the new AMD Duron/T-Bird chips totally destroy Intels Celeron/Coppermine chips, and they cost way less. So unless you are the type that likes to pay more for less, keep reading.
The Asus A7V and the Abit KT7-RAID are two of the most popular boards on the market today, and it is mainly for their ability to easily squeeze that last bit of juice out of your investment.
Many of you are saying "Hey, you can't overclock the Duron/T-birds!! They are multiplier locked!!". Hmm....that is true, but with a nicely sharpened #2 pencil, you can easily get around this. But this is not the point, the point is, YOU CAN OVERCLOCK.
COMPARISON
A7V
GOOD
-7 USB Ports (Epinions Specs are wrong)
-Amazingly stable
-Jumper Free FSB
-onboard heat sensors
-plenty of onboard fan outlets
-Promise UDMA 100 Controller
-has multiplier dip switch to increase your clock speed
-very nice layout (Open space around socket for big heatsinks)
-supports up to 8 IDE Devices
-ASUS Reliability!!
BAD
-Kinda pricey
-no ISA slots (maybe this is good!)
-needs upgrading out of the box (very quick though, and very worth it)
-can't adjust multiplier setting in BIOS
KT7-RAID
GOOD
-RAID Controller
-Bios Multiplier Setting
-Fan on Chipset
BAD
-Need 2 HDs to use RAID
-Cramped Socket location, can't fit certain heatsinks
As you can see A7V is the overclockers dream. Plenty of space to put a nice big heatsink on that hot AMD Chip, and plenty of outlets to put additional fans to cool your video card, chipets, case, harddrive (There are 4 outlets).
I cannot say which one is better because I have not personally used the KT7-RAID, but I can tell you that the A7V is either just as good, or better, because other than missing the RAID controller, and bios multiplier setting, the A7V beats the KT7 in all other respects. And if you don't mind opening your case to flip that dip switch (how often are you really going to do this?), then I think this is the board for you.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 130.00
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Epinions.com ID:
hwangster
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Member: David Hwang
Location: Richland, Washington
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 14 members
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