EPoX EP-8KTA

Pros: Price, features, overclocking!
Cons: None that I can see

The main problem with AMD's Duron line of chips is the lack of a low-cost high quality motherboard that can overclock with the best of them. Currently, I believe there are only 3 mainboards on the market that can change the CPU multiplier...

Pros: Inexpensive, best chipset, nice features, expandability
Cons: No onboard video or LAN (not a big problem)

I recently upgraded to a faster cpu (Athlon 1900+) but when I installed it the computer became unstable. I diagnosed it as the old motherboard could no longer handle the fast cpu. I went to my local Fry's electronics (a superstore) and was faced with...

Pros: Easy setup, stable & fast. Low price.
Cons: Error codes missing from the manual.

I tested the Epox EP-8KTA with a Duron 600 CPU, 128 Mb of Hyundai 133MHz SD-RAM, nVidia Vanta 16Mb video card and a 20 Quantum HDD, plus the onboard sound chip. Firstly; the motherboard layout and labeling is excellent, you barely need the manual do do a...

Pros: A very nice board, at a nice, nice price...
Cons: STR function of ACPI malfunctions for a lot of users, no support past 1GHz

When it was time for me to throw out my dinosaur (by today's standards) Socket 7 system, and upgrade to a killer AMD Duron for my video gaming, I had NO idea what motherboard to buy, but I had criteria...

What I needed...
My...

Pros: Overclockable, stable, ISA slot (tough to find), all slots accomodate full-length cards, inexpensive!
Cons: Don't try to use an oversized CPU fan, layout's not the greatest.

I finally upgraded from my old standard 233mhz Pentium, and after MUCH deliberation, decided on a duron system. I've built this from scratch, and have been ecstatic at the response of this setup. I first bought a Tyan Trinity MB, but after TWO...