First post, by AngryByDefault
- Rank
- Member
Hello people! 😀
I am looking for some Socket 7 board, and I've come across a few local ads. Truth is... I don't really need another S7 boards as I have 3 already, but it kinda bugs that they are not of great quality and this little devil at my shoulder keeps whispering me to check out for something else...
So, I wonder which one of these would you go for, if any?
Some caveats to keep in mind:
- I'll admit not having a specific intention for this purchase, I'm just hooked on this.... ->
- ... ->.... ¿Maybe build an overkill, period incorrect, Cyrix machine with odd choices...?
- I've never seen a S7/SS7 board with AGP around here, so "Pure Socket 7 FTW" it is...
- I know memory will not always be fully cacheable and that would lead to a lower performance, still, I'm inclined to install as much as possible and figure out how to use a "RAM Disk"? Most if not all of these boards can cache 64 MB only.
- For some reason I'm feeling more ATX than baby AT lately (but a good argument for an AT board can turn that around).
- Links in the post will take you each boards specs I used for reference, in case that's helpful.
1) PCChips M599LR
* Pros
- K6-2 500 included.
- mATX
- K6-2 support
- 1.5 GB RAM Supported (according to the link at least...)
- Cheapest one in the list.
* Cons
- PCChips
- 2 PCI, 1 ISA only
- SIS 530 Chipset (rather slow? plus I already have one)
https://www.ultimateretro.net/en/motherboards/6191
--
2) SOYO Sy-5ssm (v 1.0 - 512K Cache)
Chipset is SIS 530 whic, I read, is kinda slow.
* Pros
- K6-2 500 included.
- mATX
- K6-2 support
- Finally not a PcChips board!
- 768 MB RAM supported (but ruined by not being cacheable?)
- 3 Mem slots
* Cons
- Slow SIS530 chipset? (plus I already have one)
- Single ISA slot.
https://www.ultimateretro.net/en/motherboards/10492
--
3) PCPartner MVP4BS7-947
Chipset is "VIA VT8501 (Apollo MVP4) [VT82C501, VT82C686A]" and I didn't find much about it.
* Pros
- K6-2 550 included.
- K6-2 support.
- MVP4, A chipset I don't already have. (Assuming it is not particularly bad)
* Cons
- Baby AT (I have 3 other B-ATs already)
- "Only" 256 MB RAM Supported
- 2 Mem slots only.
- Just 1 ISA Slot
- Smells like PCChips?
https://www.ultimateretro.net/en/motherboards/6680
--
4) DTK PAM-0057I E0
Chipset is "Intel 430 TX"
Never heard of this brand, I have no clue how reliable it could be nor how well documented it is.
* Pros
- Intel 430TX chipset.
- Not a PcChips board.
- Intel 166 MMX included.
- 4 PCI + 4 ISA slots.
* Cons
- About 30% more expensive than the rest.
- AMD K6-2 not supported?? / Boring Intel 166 MMX included.
- Max FSB at only 66MHz.
- Baby AT (I have 3 other B-ATs already)
- "Only" 256 MB RAM Supported.
https://www.ultimateretro.net/en/motherboards/1998
--
Any opinions will be much appreciated.
ABD
Edit: Corrected 4th link.