I would say the QDI.

CPU support and BIOS possibilities are limited on most OEM boards. Overklocking is mostly not possible on OEM boards.

Before buying check the CPU compatibility, especially if you planning to run a Tualatin.

On the memory question, I'm not really sure. Never tried to run 100 SDR on a 133 FSB CPU. Maybe it is possible to set the memory on 100 Mhz, but that's a Bios question again. 133 Mhz Memory is not very expensive (at least here in Germany).

Maybe it is cheaper to buy a whole old PIII computer. I bought one whit a Tualatin Celeron 1200 for almost nothing, shipping cost were higher that the PC. After I got it, I changes the memory to 1 Gig and the CPU into a 1400 PIII. And put a Big harddisk in.

Be aware of the Compaq EN/ENL Boards. Sometimes they use special fan connectors that gives error messages if you dont use all fans (often 4pin). Even missing front panel devices can give messages.

I do like the look of that second board, but yea, I don't know anything about it.

I'm getting a DELL board soon that looks similar. I got an Adapter for the ATX connector though, but otherwise it should work alright.

Roman78 wrote:

I would say the QDI CPU support and BIOS possibilities are limited on most OEM boards. Overklocking is mostly not possible on OEM boards...
...Maybe it is cheaper to buy a whole old PIII computer. I bought one whit a Tualatin Celeron 1200 for almost nothing, shipping cost were higher that the PC. After I got it, I changes the memory to 1 Gig and the CPU into a 1400 PIII. And put a Big harddisk in.

I had similar thoughts on the QDI.

I have looked locally to get hold of a P3 PC, as I know it would cheaper or even free, but there are none about and I don't recall seeing one actually; it is usually 30% Pentium 4 PCs, 50% S775 PCs; 20% Ridiculously overpriced new "gaming" PCs with Radeon 5450s in them.

Scraphoarder wrote:

Be aware of the Compaq EN/ENL Boards. Sometimes they use special fan connectors that gives error messages if you dont use all fans (often 4pin). Even missing front panel devices can give messages.

OK good to know thanks!

PhilsComputerLab wrote:

I do like the look of that second board, but yea, I don't know anything about it.

I'm getting a DELL board soon that looks similar. I got an Adapter for the ATX connector though, but otherwise it should work alright.

I am struggling to find any relevant documentation for the Compaq boards, even what PC models they came in!

Thank you for your replies 😀

I'd certainly go with the QDI. Between the advantage of documentation OEM motherboards generally don't give you many configuration options. I am not against using OEM boards when they are significantly cheaper OR if they are all that's availible, but all other things being equal go with the board that is either Retail or sold to custom OEMs rather then big box OEMs that customize their BIOSes.

I don't think you have to worry about the ATX connector on these Compaq Socket 370 motherboards.

Compaq Deskpro motherboards from this time do not follow the ATX standard to 100% but as you can see if clicking the link below the difference should not hinder the motherboard from working with a normal ATX PSU. The pinout is basicly the same except for a COM pin that the Compaq motherboard and PSU use for "RTN/RS" and this does not seem to matter at all from what I have seen. Ignore the text about the server PSU, it does not apply to the common workstations but I would avoid using any Compaq PSU with a standard ATX motherboard as it's unnecessary and I have never tested it.

http://pinouts.ru/Power/compaq_psu_pinout.shtml

The motherboard I have been using with normal ATX PSUs is the "COMPAQ 118053-001 SLOT 1 Deskpro EP/EN motherboard" but I would think (but there are no guarantees) that all ATX sized Compaq Deskpro Pentium II and Pentium III motherboards would work with a normal ATX PSU.

I have seen the issue with an odd 4 pin fan connector and a BIOS complaining about a missing fan but only with OEM Asus P2B-98XV motherboards. I solved the issue with the OEM Asus board by crossflashing the normal Asus BIOS for the retail version and that also adds support for Coppermine CPUs as long as you have a slotket with voltage control so you can change the voltage setting to 1.8V.