Bad Mojo
Written: Aug 08 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Runs stable with less then 512MB and BIOS set to defaults
Lots of features
Cons: Buggy at 1GB or more!
Poor placement of Memory Slot 1
Poor support from Asus
The Bottom Line: If you don't need more then 512MB then this might just be the board for you. But avoid it like the plague if you want more!
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| opusredx's Full Review: ASUS VIA KT333 Chipset A7V333 (A7V333/PA/RAID/U2/1... |
The final reviewed system consist of these components: Asus A7V333, AMD XP 2100+, 1 – 512MB DDR OCZ PC2700 Rev3, Enermax EG465P-VE (430W) power supply, OCZ CPU Heatsink (Goliath w/Delta), Western Digital 120GB SE, VisionTek XTasy 6964, Intel Pro Dual Port NIC, Plextor PX-W4012A, and Windows XP Pro.
I really wanted to love the A7V333 as I have loved other Asus' boards in the past, but the mojo on this board is just not quite right.
First let me say what every other reviewer has said, "Wow this board has lots of stuff," OK now that that is out of the way here’s my view. I bought the motherboard from a local store about a month and a half ago, with an AMD XP 2100+, Antec PP-403X (400W), WD 120GB SE, and 2 - 512MB DDR PC2100s from Kingston. I already had a 3Com NIC, a TDK 161032, and a geForce 2. With these components I build the system and began a new install of Windows XP Pro about half way thru the install I get the blue screen of death, I rebooted to see if the install would finish but no such luck. Finally with the original components minus 1 – 512MB of memory I was able to get the system to install and run stable.
Since I really wanted 1GB of memory I spent the next two weeks replacing everything, including the motherboard, one piece at a time and did a dozen installs (or attempts) of both Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Pro. With each attempt I tried every tweak I knew or that someone had suggested through forums and newsgroups. Just in memory I bought a 6 – 512MB DDRs, 2 each from Kingston, OCZ and Corsair, in addition I bought 2 - 256MB from Kingston.
I have come to believe is that the A7V333 is a great board if you use two 256MB DDRs or one 512MB DDR in it, as I have not been able get more then 512MB to run stable. One thing this board doesn't have that might help is a setting for memory voltage, there is a pair of undocumented jumpers near the AGP slot that some people have suggested adjust the memory voltage which I have tried that but that did change the behavior. Support from Asus was of no help as they suggested resetting the bios or remove as many components as possible, neither of which worked.
I also found that the placement of the memory slot in relation to the CPU socket is way to close. This becomes a real problem if you install an after market cooling fan because there is a good chance you will not be able to 'easily' install the first DDR in slot one as the retention clip hovers right over that slot. The Soyo K7V has the same problem, my suggestion is to make sure you install you memory first and pray you don’t have to change it out a dozen times like I did.
If anyone is wondering in all my testing my CPU temp never logged above 62C, and that was only one time during a 12 hour run of Serious Sam 2 demo.
My overall score for this board is lower then I’m sure everyone else's will be, but I planned on 1GB of memory and anything less is a let down.
Score: Below Average. I didn't give it an "Avoid it" rating because the board has a bunch of nice features, like being able to customize the boot voice messages, which it nice when you have to hear it 10 times a day, but plan on taking an evening off if you want to flash your own messages.
BTW: Check out OZC Tech's website if you doubt my word, they even say it has issues with the DIMM voltage regulator.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/support/mobolist/amd/a7v333/index.asp
Opus
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 180.00
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Epinions.com ID:
opusredx
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Reviews written: 1
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