Motherboard shopping, Act II

Tek7 (Legacy)

Tek7 (Legacy)

CGA & ToJ President
While using the computer earlier today, I heard a loud popping noise. I immediately shut down, unplugged all cables, opened the case, and examined the motherboard. One capacitor had popped and leaked fluid. I immediately disconnected all components, stored them, removed the motherboard, and boxed it up.

The bad news: My primary computer is offline. This means that I will not be using my primary IDs on Trillian (staff members have my secondary IDs) and I will not be playing online games. This may delay my 10-day visit to Christian World of Warcraft guilds.

The good news (if one can call it that): I doubt any other components were damaged before I shut down. Everything appeared to be operating normally up to, during, and after the capacitor popped. My hard drives are in tact, so I'll be able to back up all important data to CD after I pop the drive in my wife's computer.

The worse news: Finals are next week.

The worst news: Before installing a new motherboard, I will have to perform a complete backup of all critical files and format my C drive. A re-format means a week of re-installing software, creating and burning a new drive image to DVD, and typing in password for all (approximately 20) of my e-mail account passwords.

In order to get my primary box up and running, I need a motherboard that is/has/will:

  • ATX form factor
  • Six (6) USB ports
  • Two (2) COM (serial) ports
  • Support PC2700/PC3200 (DDR333/DDR400) RAM
  • Support the AMD Athlon XP 2700+ (Socket A, 266 or 333MHz FSB)

And for the "not necessary but STRONGLY preferred" list:
  • Integrated audio
  • Integrated LAN (10/100Mbps minimum)

Here are the specs of my old motherboard, for a point of reference.

Money is a concern; I'm a married college student and this new motherboard is my Christmas present this year. I would like to purchase the motherboard from a local retailer, but realize the markup is so absurd that an online purchase is likely the only feasible option. (No, they don't have a Fry's near where I live.)

Any and all help is appreciated.
 
hescominsoon said:
RMA the old board..is this not an option?
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I could, but that would mean up to three weeks of downtime.

Also, the last time I sent in the motherboard for RMA (in July, I believe), they replaced swollen capacitors rather than send a new board. If they used the same tactic again, it would mean that I waited three weeks for a motherboard that would only repeat the same failure in a few months.

Three weeks without a gaming computer between semesters in unacceptable.
 
any board with onboard video i believe 99.9% of the time (99.9 cuz incase there might be an exception) has a bios setting for onboard pci/agp device setting where u can turn it off/on :>
 
Okay, I've made my rounds (newegg.com, zipzoomfly.com, tigerdirect.com) and found the following candidates:
EDIT: I also looked at the Abit VA-20 and Abit KV7-V on tigerdirect.com, but couldn't find the full specifications for either board on the Abit web site.

I'm currently favoring the EPOX EP-8KRAIPRO because of its price and features, but haven't decided yet.

EDIT: My other reason for favoring the EP-8KRAIPRO is this customer review on newegg.com:
The first thing you'll notice about this MOBO is CAPACITORS. It has highest quality Rubycon MBZ and Panasonic FC Series caps. This means long live and stability.
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Could our resident motherboard experts lend a hand in narrowing the field of candidates?
 
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by the looks of what ive researched, epox has had the highest reviews, and when given bad reviews, it was generally wharehouse mistakes.
 
I find it funny reading this after I went through a similar event. My power supply blew and fried my motherboard. I had to make a quick run around trying to find a replacement so I could finish some school work. Finally found one. I don't have everything up and running. I'm waiting for the semester to end so I don't have to worry about it being down. Good luck with your search for a new board.
 
Follow-up: I purchased the EP-8KRAIPRO, Sunday night; I received an e-mail, stamped Tuesday (today) 12:24 a.m., informing me that the package has been shipped.

:D

I had the motherboard sent by two-day mail; I'm not sure whether this means I should expect it tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday. I sincerely hope to receive it tomorrow so I can spend the following two days rebuilding my system and start playing World of Warcraft on Friday.

I'll post my review of the board after everything is up and running and I get to take a break.
 
Update: According to the FedEx tracking page, the estimated delivery time for my motherboard is Dec 7, 2005 7:00 PM. I should have my motherboard tomorrow night, w00t!

:D
 
Tek7 said:
Update: According to the FedEx tracking page, the estimated delivery time for my motherboard is Dec 7, 2005 7:00 PM. I should have my motherboard tomorrow night, w00t!

:D
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Sweet. Sounds like you're looking forward to it. =)
 
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