Abit and Athlon XP 333 do belong together!

[Juan]

I found this on abit.com.tw:<BR><BR>ABIT Launches KT400-based AT7-MAX2 and KD7-RAID with AthlonXP 333FSB Support <BR> <BR> <BR>Taipei, Taiwan, August 27, 2002 - Based on the highly-anticipated VIA KT400 chipset, the AT7 MAX2 and KD7-RAID give ABIT users the MaxIImum Edge, with phenomenal value, performance and features. ABIT launches the AT7-MAX2 and KD7-RAID with full support for all current AND future AMD AthlonXP CPUs. The AT7-MAX2 and KD7-RAID support current 200/266 FSB CPUs and are engineered to support the future AthlonXP standard, the AthlonXP 333FSB CPU! <BR><BR>ABIT AT7-MAX2 with Serillel™ ATA<BR>The AT7 MAX 2 gives you the MaxIImum Edge. Based on the highly-anticipated VIA KT400 chipset, with 10 USB 2.0 ports, 3 IEEE 1394 ports, Serial ATA RAID, onboard LAN, 6-Channel Audio and ABIT Softmenu?, ABIT's AT7 MAX2 leads the motherboard industry by example. The AT7 MAX2 also comes with ABIT's latest innovation: ABIT Serillel. Users now have the option of using parallel or serial drives with 4-channel RAID, making the AT7 MAX2 the most flexible and user-responsive AMD motherboard on the market. With features no other motherboard maker can match, ABIT shows its commitment to being an industry leader. <BR><BR>For Complete Information on ABIT's AT7-MAX2, go to:<BR>http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/english/news1.jsp?pDOCNO=en_0208272 <BR><BR>ABIT KD7-RAID<BR>The KD7-RAID is powered by the VIA KT400 chipset, which features both USB 2.0 and AGP 8X support. 4 high-speed DDR DIMMS are included for a maximum of 3.5GB of DDR 266 or 2GB of DDR 333/400. On-board 10/100 LAN means that the KD7-RAID is high-speed Internet ready. Also included with the KD7-RAID is rich 6-channel audio featuring a professional digital audio interface supporting 24-bit S/PDIF OUT. <BR><BR>For Complete Information on ABIT's KD7-RAID, go to:<BR> <BR>

[GNXtreme]

Well....it looks like A-bit is going to be considered for my next machine.

[copaceticKid]

I'm more partial to MSI myself, they have never done me wrong in the past. The new KT4 looks to be the way i'll go... Looks like it has everything that the Abit one has with some extra peripherals (that probably aren't very useful). Best thing about both is the ATA serial connection. I foresee it will become widely used in the near future. Now the question is when we actually see these boards for sale. Anyone have info on that?<BR><BR><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.msicomputer.com/product/detail_spec/product_detail.asp?model=KT4_Ultra">the KT4 Ultra</a>

[Peliroja]

I have A-bit jumper-less boards in both my computers - one with a Pentium III and the other with an AMD Thunderbird processor. They proved extremely easy to set-up, very reliable and after sales tech support and flash updates, etc. has been excellent. I will definately consider them for my next build project.

[MUSTANGPC]

A-BIT tends to be too pricey. Look for GigaByte, Soltek or Albatron - the new kid-on-the-block, of course, with the same type of chipset. A-bit, Asus and MSI will burn a hole in your pocket. I know, I was. Check around. Good luck.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

[Mercutio]

Id check the reviews of the KT400 chipset...seems a lot of folks are scratching their heads about it cos it doesnt always perform as it should. And if the serial ATA is all thats REALLY interesting you grab a PCI card for it. For the time being serial ATA still uses the (slowish) PCI bus so it doesnt make a difference if you use onboard or seperate card. <BR>/2cents <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Avid6eek]

Both the Abit Max2 for the P4 and Athlon XP are the most bad ass motherboards out there right now. There are some features such as Serial ATA which your paying for that you can't use right now because you can't buy Serial ATA hard drives yet. In the event that you do want serial ata hard drives, you DO NOT add an Serial ATA controller card to your PCI bus. If you do you will really be using an expensive ATA133 drive because that is the Max bandwith of the PCI bus. It must be integrated onto the Mobo. It is true that Abit tends to be a lil more expensive, but they are extremely stable, and awsome overclockers. You may pay around $60 more for a good Abit board, but it'll be worth it when your running a 200Mhz FSB and smokin the hell out of the competition.