Microstar MS-6378 Motherboard

[TVC15]

I am looking to put together a budget system using a Duron processor and the Microstar MS-6378 motherboard. As I have never used this board before, I was wondering whether anybody could give me some guidance as to whether it is a reliable board or not. Any comments about Microstar boards would also be welcome.

The MS-6378 is one of the cheapest Socket A boards around and features on board sound, video and network. It is because of another well known company which also does very cheap (and extremely unreliable!) all in one packages that I am little sceptical about such boards and I really need a second (or third and forth) opinion before I commit to buying it.

By the way, has anybody ever had a reliable PC Chips motherboard?

------------------
Up every evening 'bout half eight or nine,

I give my complete attention to a very good friend of mine.

[Randy_tx]

Chaintech makes an inexpensive board (Under $100) for Socket A that I think runs circles around the competition at the same price. Here is their website: http://www.chaintech-excel.com/Main%20Products.htm

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

[Bad Omen]

Try Soltek SL-7KAV-X.
It's extremly stable, supports dual ATA100, 133 FSB (266),supports AMD Athlon 1.3 Ghz or higher!!!, Duron up to 800, unlimited overclocking posibilities http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif , multiple setting options: fsb+bus ratio - dip switch, voltage - BIOS; one step FSB BIOS selection, AGP PRO-4x slot; 5 PCI v2.2; 1 ISA.
I cannot give you a price (I'm in Romania right now), but I payed 115$ for it.

[bdools]

Hello what about a gigabyte board. I built a duron system for
my friend using a GA-71XE4 board i am not sure how they rate
price wise in the states but i think they should be compettitive. I have
found the gigabyte boards very relliable.They are not good
overclocking boards but are relliable.Most reviews of the pcchips
boards is they seem to lack behind performance wise especially
the boards that have the slot one and socket 370 boards combined.
regards bdools

[Bokus]

I put together two MS-6330 systems in August and have had zero problems.

[Adam Pintar]

I have a post below you a couple spots and I am also building a budget computer. From my research I have found that the duron 850mhz is pretty cheap and from talking to people reliable. As for the all in one system boards I try and stay away from them as much as possible.

For that this is what I have come with keeping in mind that some of the equipment in this system are a little advanced for probably what you want for example the ram and such.

Also this is in canadian price and you get 68 cents for every american dollar on the exchange as of yesterday and also your taxes are different.

512 mb sdram pc133 ($218)
duron 850 ($120)
ATI Xpert 98 videocard ($ 59)
Im using an old ISA 3d sound card but a cheap pci one is easy to find
standard atx case ($ 47)
Maxtor 20.4gig 7200rpm harddrive ATA 100 ($178)
CD-ROM 40X ($ 40)
Floppy drive ($ 19)
Motherboard is not currently picked out but i have estimated price ($150)
SUB TOTAL ($831)
TAX ($125)
GRAND TOTAL ($955)

This is just my total and you can reduce ram and the features of the hard drive to save money and probably can find a cheaper mother board. I am currently looking at the gigabyte brand. Also the processor van be cheaper for a slower speed but this one is rated at being faster then a PIII 733 pc133 370socket chip.

This is just the unit without monitor and no keyboard or mouse which are pretty cheap right now and would cost about an additional $350 including tax canadian.


Anyways I hope this helps you out

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
Adam