ASUS A7M266 upgradability

[Daniel]

Hello.

I am trying to pick a motherboard for a new customly-built system
(that is my first experience with building a PC). For the time
being i think going with AMD's Athlon processor, 1333Mh, 266 FSB.

After looking around, i singled-out two mobos with AMD-761 chipset:
ASUS A7M266 and Gigabyte GA-7DX. Both seems to have the same capabilities, except that GA-7DX doesn't have AGP Pro slot (at least so it seems to me from a specifications list, though there is a lot of things that is unclear to me, so i might be wrong).

Then, after comparing those two mobos, i decided that i liked ASUS better, (though it is very unobjective opinion) because they have a much better manual, their site built and looks better (and as such easier to use), i heard that ASUS is the best mobos' manufacturer (actually i heard it in this forum), and ASUS supports AGP Pro (though i don't think that i need it http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif ).

Then i decided to look at AMD's "recommended motherboards' list"
(http://www1.amd.com/athlon/mbl). Indeed, i found out that ASUS
board is on the list for Athlon 1333(266 FSB), but it is not on the
list for Athlon 1400(266 FSB), while Gigabyte's board is on the both lists.

The question is, why? Does that means that ASUS' board doesn't support processors with CPU clock more then 1333Mh, or that AMD just didn't have time to check their newer processor with that board? The aspect of upgradability is very important to me, so upward support is necessary.


And if i already began asking about that board, i will add another question, if nobody minds:

In ASUS' manual (page 25), it is said that a board supports up to 2GB RAM, when one memory module could contain up to 1GB. Then, on the following page, it is said that mobo doesn't support memory modules with more then 18 chips. Under that statement, there is a photograph of a memory module with 18 chips on it. AFAIK, nobody currently makes memory modules with 1GB capacity. So, it has to be that a photographed memory module is of a lesser capacity. If so, it means that ASUS' board *couldn't* support 2GB of memory, because modules with 1GB capacity will use at least 36 chips, which is not supported, and as there is only 2 memory slots on a mobo, maximum RAM capacity supported is only 1GB.
Is there is something i don't understand (for example, maybe it is still possible to stuff 1GB of memory into 18 chips) or... ASUS just lying (and that could be very alarming)?


Daniel

[tjaymadison]

Sorry, Daniel, seems like your question got lost in the shuffle.

I'm sure you're right in assuming that AMD has not tested that specific CPU with that model mobo.
But the fact that both mfr's have models on the recommended list is a good sign in itself.

With a 1.3G CPU already, it's hard to foresee the upgradibility curve for any mobo.
You'll be upgrading other items in your system long before you'll need to worry about the CPU.

Surely ASUS isn't 'lying'. The photo may be just for illustrative purposes.
You or I may not know about them, but 1G modules are or will be available.
To check for sure go to: www.kingston.com (http://www.kingston.com) or www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com)

Although if an operating system or application is ever released in our lifetime
that requires 2G system RAM, there will be far fewer people in this forum. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 06-13-2001).]

[CWelker73]

i have an asus board w/ an amd t/bird 700, and i am very pleased with it, no problems, good support, flashed the bios w/ no problems. i would recommend it. in fact, i am looking to get the same board as you are, let me know how it goes http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Allright brain, I dont like you and you dont like me, so lets get this over with and get back to killing you with beer. -Homer Simpson

[mjc]

Hey don't knock the better manual as a decision criterion, you will need it when assembling the macnhine.

Also, I agree with tjay, the processor upgrade won't yeild much "bang for the buck", the difference between a 1.3GHz and a 1.4GHz processor is not great enough to worry about.

I disagree about the "needing" of 2GB of memory...Win9x wouldn't probably see much of an improvement but an OS like Win2k could effectively use it...and who knows about WinXP! No, I don't think it would actually be required but it coukld very well be useful.
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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 06-13-2001).]