rec.autos.simulators

It's been a while, and since the pricing is FINALLY getting in line with
AMD, I've decided to build an Intel system this time around.  It's my first
Intel in a while, and it's my first P4 ever.

I'm building an ABIT IT7-Max2 system with a 2.53Ghz P4 and 512MB of Corsair
PC2700 RAM.

Anyone built one of these yet ?

-Larry

SLG

My thinking was a lot simpler.  I wanted to try a P4 this time since they re
down to around $260 for the boxed version (I don't do OEM processors), and I
just looked for the most feature-rich board I could find.

With TEN USB 2.0 ports, THREE FireWire ports, PS/2 ports, SATA, RAID, etc...
this just looked like the right one to me :)

If it turns out to be a pain in the ass, then I'll just get the best Intel
based board they sell.  I'm not into overclocking, and demand stability.
All these features are nice, but if they bring misery I'll pull it out and
go with the simpler, but utterly reliable Intel board.

Reviews are slim because it is literally just-released.  It's hard to find,
but www.spartantech.com has them, and I've ordered nearly all of my last 5
machines worth of goodies from them with perfect service.

There was one review linked to by www.hardocp.com a day or so ago, and it
compared the board against the ASUS.  It indicated that the ASUS had a few
benifits, but the ABIT IT7-Max2 was overwhelmingly chosen as the best board.

I don't do VIA.

The SIS648 is intruiging, but it's too new and the bugs aren't worked out
yet.

And that's how I ended up here :)

-Larry

If you want to be ahead of the curve look into
the ASUS P4T533 and a P4 2.53. The 533 Front Side Bus
takes full advantage of the P4 2.53 and up.
This is one of the only Motherboards that currently have the
533 Front Side Bus/1066mhz Rambus Ram. The key to the speed.
Combined with the 1066mhz Rambus Ram it has the biggest pipe going.
I built one of these last week and it flies!!!
140fps sitting in the pits at Bristol in N2K2.
My system:
ASUS P4T533 MB
Pent P4 2.53, OC'ed to 2.8 at the moment. (will go to 3.01 with no prob)
       FSB upped to 560mhz.
512mb of 32 bit 1066 Rambus Ram (Samsung)
Ti4400, OC'ed to 308mhz core and 668mhz memory.
SoundBlaster Audigy.

Real Sweet!! :-)

(note: the P4T533-C uses the 16bit rambus and not the 32bit)

MadDAWG

Warning Label:

Taking motherboard advice from Ric Seyler is sort of like taking Etiquette advice from Randy Moss.   <VBG>    ;)

--
Scott B. Husted
PA-Scott
ICQ# 4395450
http://www.Husted.cc

Who's Randy Moss, ya Kiddie!! LOL

I'm trying to find info about OC'ing the
AGP/PCI bus. It seems most of the overclocking
pages are in a different language. Those Europeans
must be Mad Overclockers. ;-)

I think OC'ing the AGP/PCI separately must be
a feature limited to this new board. I can't find any
info about it......

LOL   =)

I'm not the worlds biggest O/Cer Ric so I'm not of much help in that area.  You might want to take a look in the forums at Anandtech and Mad Onion.  You can usually find someone who is doing some kind of "unique" overclocking there.

I've planned on O/Cing my AMD XP 2000+ and my MSI GF4 4600 (Very overclockable)... but I just haven't gotten around to it.  

--
Scott B. Husted
PA-Scott
ICQ# 4395450
http://www.Husted.cc

  Who's Randy Moss, ya Kiddie!! LOL
  I'm trying to find info about OC'ing the
  AGP/PCI bus. It seems most of the overclocking
  pages are in a different language. Those Europeans
  must be Mad Overclockers. ;-)

  I think OC'ing the AGP/PCI separately must be
  a feature limited to this new board. I can't find any
  info about it......

    Warning Label: Taking motherboard advice from Ric Seyler is sort of like taking Etiquette advice from Randy Moss.   <VBG>    ;)  
    --
    Scott B. Husted
    PA-Scott
    ICQ# 4395450
    http://www.Husted.cc

  --
  Ric Seyler
  Online Racing: RicSeyler
  GPL Handicap 7.01

  http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
  --------------------------------------
  "Homer no function beer well without."
  - H.J. Simpson

I'm using the new Omega drivers. They will allow OC'ing
the video card, plus it comes with Artifact2. A cool program
that will test the speeds you selected. If artifacts are detected
you just back down a notch. It lets you go to the limit without
worrying about damaging your card. I have two full size fans
blowing across both sides of the video card, so I can squeek
a few more mhz out of it. :-)

    I ask your opinion only because I see what you like when you build
systems, seems like good criteria, but I don't know...

 So here's maybe a dumb question, but is there a decent p4 motherboard for
the >2 Ghz chips anyway, that still has at least on ISA slot on them?  I
know I should get a modem that goes into pci, but I didn't yet.

My stuff came overnight fedex for $34, which is very reasonable.  In the
past, it would cost like $60 for the same shipment.

I prefer Fedex, though.  UPS did not disappoint and delivered the box all
crunched up and absolutely soaking wet.  Luckily, the items inside weren't
touched.

And for some bizarre reason, the UPS branch where I live does not allow
same-night pickups at the branch.

-Larry

Thanks, but I'll skip on the RAMBUS.  It's a personal thing :)

-Larry

  If you want to be ahead of the curve look into
  the ASUS P4T533 and a P4 2.53. The 533 Front Side Bus
  takes full advantage of the P4 2.53 and up.
  This is one of the only Motherboards that currently have the
  533 Front Side Bus/1066mhz Rambus Ram. The key to the speed.
  Combined with the 1066mhz Rambus Ram it has the biggest pipe going.
  I built one of these last week and it flies!!!
  140fps sitting in the pits at Bristol in N2K2.
  My system:
  ASUS P4T533 MB
  Pent P4 2.53, OC'ed to 2.8 at the moment. (will go to 3.01 with no prob)
         FSB upped to 560mhz.
  512mb of 32 bit 1066 Rambus Ram (Samsung)
  Ti4400, OC'ed to 308mhz core and 668mhz memory.
  SoundBlaster Audigy.
  Real Sweet!! :-)

  (note: the P4T533-C uses the 16bit rambus and not the 32bit)

    Feeling the need for more speed, I'm upgrading my ABIT KG7/AthlonXP 1800+
    system this weekend.
    It's been a while, and since the pricing is FINALLY getting in line with
    AMD, I've decided to build an Intel system this time around.  It's my first
    Intel in a while, and it's my first P4 ever.

    I'm building an ABIT IT7-Max2 system with a 2.53Ghz P4 and 512MB of Corsair
    PC2700 RAM.

    Anyone built one of these yet ?

    -Larry

  --
  Ric Seyler
  Online Racing: RicSeyler
  GPL Handicap 7.01

  http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
  --------------------------------------
  "Homer no function beer well without."
  - H.J. Simpson

I haven't seen one in a long time, especially for the P4 systems.

I have to say, I wouldn't base a board decision on the ability to use an ISA
based modem.  I prefer external modems anyway.  Most, if not all, internal
modems these days are Winmodems which I despise greatly.

Is there something special about this modem ?

-Larry

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy

http://www.theuspits.com

"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--

But I wouldn't base such an important decision on an ISA slot, especially
since they are all but gone these days.

I think an external hardware modem is a better idea, along with the
motherboard you _really_ want :)

I prefer the USR Courier V.Everythings myself, but most can't stomach the
price.

-Larry