So
many choices
So here we are in the 3rd quarter of 2000 and we want to buy
a motherboard. Choosing the CPU we want to run is the easy
part...deciding on the chipset can be torture. Below is
a list of the major players in the chipset market today.
For Intel Pentium II and III users:
1. The old standby 440BX chipset - Pro: Companies like Abit
have extended the life of this chipset by adding Ultra 66
controllers and "unofficial" support for PC133 memory to their
motherboards. In most benchmarks, the BX still outperforms
the newer Intel chipsets. Con: Does not support AGP 4X; no
"official" support PC133 memory.
2. Intel's 440ZX - Pro: Low cost. Con: Does not support PC133
or AGP 4X; no Ultra 66 support; maximum memory of 256MB.
3. VIA's Apollo Pro 133 - Pro: Supports PC133 memory, Ultra
66 and up to 1.5GB of memory. Con: Only AGP 2X; slow memory
performance; some configuration and compatibility problems.
4. VIA's Apollo Pro 133A - Pro: Supports PC133 memory, Ultra
66 and AGP 4X. Con: Some configuration and compatibility problems.
5. Intel's i810E - Pro: Low cost; Ultra 66 and 133MHz-based CPU support.
Con: Integrated video; only AGP 2X and PC100 support; 512MB maximum memory;
no AGP expansion slot.
6.
Intel's i815 (Solano) - Pro: Supports PC133 memory, Ultra
66 and AGP 4X. Con: Integrated video; fewer USB ports; slower
than BX chipset; Incomplete CNR support.
7.
Intel's i815e - Pro: Supports PC133 memory, Ultra 100 and
AGP 4X. Con: Integrated video; slower than BX chipset.
8. Intel's i820 - Pro: Supports Ultra 66, AGP 4X and dual
processors. Con: Uses expensive RDRAM; limited to 2 RDRAM
slots.
9. Intel's i820e - Pro: Supports Ultra 100 and AGP 4X. Con:
Uses expensive RDRAM.
10. Intel's i840 - Pro: Supports Dual Processors, Ultra 66
and AGP 4X. Con: Uses expensive RDRAM.
11.
VIA's ProSavage PM133 - Pro: Ultra 66, PC133, AGP 4X and 1.5GB
RAM support. Con: Integrated Savage4 video.
All those choices...kind of makes your head spin. In the future,
look for
1. VIA's Apollo Pro 2000 - Pro: Ultra 100 and DDR memory support.
2. Ali's MAGik 1 - Pro: Ultra 100, RAID and DDR support.
