Replacing a Motherboard

[Kennelmaster]

I have to replace an MSI K7T266 Pro2-RU motherboard because it has apparently suffered a 'stroke'.
I want to get a new board that can use the AMD Thunderbird 1.4GB CPU and the PC2100 DDR RAM from the old board. I am running Win XP Pro.
I have read the thread here on Favorite Mobo Brands with interest. I have been having problems with my old board for some time (like most of a year) so I am disinclined to get another MSI board. I am currently leaning toward one of the following:
Asus A7V8X/R/Gb
A7N8X Deluxe
BioStar M7VIK
GigaByte 7VAXP
7VAXP Ultra
Shuttle AK37GT/R
Soyo KT400 Dragon Platinum Ultra
Soyo KT400 Dragon Black Ultra
Any of these can use my current CPU and DDR RAM, and could be upgraded in the future. I would appreciate any good/bad comments on these boards.
I have also encountered some new functions with which I am not familiar. Specifically, the term "SATA" which I think means "Serial ATA". The boards that have it also appear to have the old-style EIDE channels as well. Does the new SATA require special hard drives? Are there any special provisions required for them?
I thank you in advance for any advice.
Jim Alford

 

[boyRacer]

I don't have any experience with those boards... but i know someone with the Platinum Ultra... seems like he likes it. You can usually find reviews of those boards if you search for it.

As far as SATA is concerned... you can still use your regular ATA HDs but you will need an adapter to make it work. HD companies are already starting to come out with SATA HDs... like Seagate. Good luck!

 

[Microbman]

Go to Tom'sHardware.com and HardOCP.com , they will both provide honest in depth reviews to help you out.

 

[Microbman]

I went for the Asus A7N8X Deluxe. Point by point a loaded board that is forward looking and will provide you with everything you can think of from a company that is historically reliable and has been around a long time. MSI is usually a pretty good manufacturer but Asus is way better. Stay away from mfs you havent heard a lot of and the KT300 chipset is outdated. Go for the nVidia mobo chipset. LOL.

 

[o1die]

Atacom has 3 versions of the Leadtech board with nforce2 chipset, some with integrated video. Starting at only $95.