MSI or Abit?

**Pakman117** · 12-12-2000, 07:01 PM

Im getting a board for Christmas and have narrowed it between the MSI KT7 Pro2 and Abit KT7 mobo. I went to http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1374
and it gave the MSI better ratings then the Abit. However, this was because the MSI was overclocked at 997 and the Abit was at 988 (original processor speed for both was 800, whcih im getting). Assuming I would overclock my 800, which board do you think would be better for it? Also, if you had to make the decision, which board would you go for? Thank you for your replies.

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"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
- Warren Zevon

[This message has been edited by Pakman117 (edited December 12, 2000).]

**100%TotallyNude** · 12-12-2000, 07:02 PM

Abit. But there's nothing wrong with the MSI. I think my choice is based on brand visibility.

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Now sporting a pIII 733 flip-chip on an i815 256M 133 fsb rig under a GOrb...

**AMD_Forever** · 12-12-2000, 08:50 PM

The MSI Boards have greater stability than the Abits. Anandtech runs their servers on MSI athlon boards. Also the MSI's have greater performance.

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Instead of AMD_Forever, I really think it's more like "Competition_Forever"

[This message has been edited by AMD_Forever (edited December 12, 2000).]

**Pakman117** · 12-12-2000, 09:30 PM

Yea I read that review but I was wondering about MSI because some websites I've seen say that even though the MSI FSB can change every 1Mhz that it only runs good on a certain few.

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"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
- Warren Zevon

**White** · 12-12-2000, 09:32 PM

go with Abit.

**Pakman117** · 12-12-2000, 09:59 PM

I read some review written by Abit owners though and they said their RAM didnt work with the mobo. I have really crappy RAM so I'm wondering if mine wont work. Also, if it doesnt, I really screwed cause my budget isnt that great.

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"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
- Warren Zevon

**Reality** · 12-12-2000, 10:59 PM

Actually the MSI boards don't have better performance. At all. Period

Just better stability. But the KT7-RAID is not by any means an unstable board.

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**edhensley** · 12-13-2000, 08:56 AM

Either manufacture is good. MSI is very stable and a good value. Abit has the performance edge but its not as stable. However, they aren't unstable. Just a bit picky on mem and settings.

I'd base the decision on price and if they have it in stock.

Right I side with MSI due to diag leds that are on the board

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If Compaq can build a computer then anyone can

**ericsson** · 12-13-2000, 09:41 AM

i have both an MSI K7T Pro2 and an Abit KT7 and both are as stable as one another.

i'd vote for abit on this one for the simple reason that it's very tweakable. =)

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**TimisoaraKill** · 12-13-2000, 10:31 AM

Go with the msi is the equal of the kt7 at a better price , i wayt for the k7t turbo@266 but before changing oppinion i chose the k7t pro II

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TKill
Sapasion's mercenary overclocker
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life is just funny and
**** but it's all what we hawe so we must overclock'her at max.

**Un4given** · 12-13-2000, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by edhensley:
Either manufacture is good. MSI is very stable and a good value. Abit has the performance edge but its not as stable. However, they aren't unstable. Just a bit picky on mem and settings.

I'd base the decision on price and if they have it in stock.

Right I side with MSI due to diag leds that are on the board

Actually, in the Anandtech review, the MSI board bested the Abit board in every test they ran. So if you look at this review, it beats Abit in stability, performance, and price.

This is not the only review I have seen where the MSI board was rated as the most stable Athlon board available. And in the end, one board may be faster than another, but we all know the performance delta between the boards is marginal at best, and I will always sacrifice 2-3 fps in a game for a system I won't have crashing on me 2-3 times a day.

Without stability, speed and tweakability mean absolutely NOTHING.

**Pakman117** · 12-13-2000, 03:57 PM

Dang, this is a toughy...still undecided. However, I noticed the Abit had voltage settings from 1.50 to 2.05 (I think) and they have the ISA slot (which I would like but is not necessary...In case you are wondering I have an AWE64 ISA card). So, right now I'm leaning towards Abit.

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"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
- Warren Zevon

**Ymaster** · 12-13-2000, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Pakman117:
Dang, this is a toughy...still undecided. However, I noticed the Abit had voltage settings from 1.50 to 2.05 (I think) and they have the ISA slot (which I would like but is not necessary...In case you are wondering I have an AWE64 ISA card). So, right now I'm leaning towards Abit.

I would get the MSI...I just built 3 more rigs for x-mas. And was very happy that not one person has called me back yet! Call me crazy but I like the onboard sound vs abit's one isa. And raid0 has not really proven it's worthyness yet. Now if the Abit board had one isa and onboard sound. Then I would go for the Abit. I still think the MSI can overclock better. Just as high as Abit but much more stable. Just be sure to get the pro2-A!

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