DFI motherboards (need advice QUICKLY!!!)

[Tazdrummer]

Ok, I have an opportunity to get a great deal on a DFI motherboard and get a free Duron 900 Mhz chip.

Does anyone have any experience with DFI motherboards? This one in particular is model # AM33-EC and the chipset is a VIA KLE133.

Give me some tips guys. PM me if you want.
Anyone have any experience with this one? I got burnt by a Matsonic motherboard before and after that I started checking motherboard reviews. I cant find a review on this one.

<a href="http://sj.dfi.com.tw/product/fetch.asp?theValue=AM33-EC" target="_blank">DFI's website link to this motherboard</a>

[Hippie_Tech]

I suppose it would depend on what the computer is going to be used for.

I personally don't like having so much stuff integrated on the motherboard (video, NIC, sound), but if it's just for a general purpose (read not for gaming) machine then it all depends on the price. Considering Durons aren't very expensive ($32 for a 1GHz Duron), I wouldn't buy the motherboard just because you're getting a "free" processor. I see on pricewatch that the DFI sells for a low of $50.00.

If cost is an issue and the computer won't be doing any "hard" labor, I'd say go for it. Just keep in mind that this is the type of motherboard that goes into the low end machines being sold by big name OEM companies like Compaq and HP. There's a reason these boards are so cheap.

[Tazdrummer]

It would be an upgrade for a gaming machine.

The board it would be replacing is an Epox MVPG5, K6-2 500Mhz.

I recently put a Gigabyte mobo in for a gaming machine and it had sound and video I think integrated and it is being used as a gaming machine. (Wait til I get home and I will give you the model # for the Gigabyte)

[Stanley_Kubrick]

the DFI board (p2xbl) i had in my tech machine before the last upgrade was a TANK. The thing was totally bombproof for 18 months of constant yankning of processors, ram, IDE, etc... not familiar with their new stuff though...

[Ruslan]

Although I have nothing but good luck with DFI motherboards,I would not recommend that particular motherboard for gaming. For surfing the NET,for work - yes,but not for gaming. Although it gonna be much more faster than Your current system...but take into consideration...
Bult-in video (S3 Savage,I guess?) with shared memory... no additional AGP slot for upgrade... crappy AC-97 codec... definately not the best choice for gaming...only 3 PCI slots...
How much will it cost You, if it's not a secret?Have You any chance of getting another decent board? Sorry...

[Tazdrummer]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Ruslan:
<strong>Although I have nothing but good luck with DFI motherboards,I would not recommend that particular motherboard for gaming. For surfing the NET,for work - yes,but not for gaming. Although it gonna be much more faster than Your current system...but take into consideration...
Bult-in video (S3 Savage,I guess?) with shared memory... no additional AGP slot for upgrade... crappy AC-97 codec... definately not the best choice for gaming...only 3 PCI slots...
How much will it cost You, if it's not a secret?Have You any chance of getting another decent board? Sorry...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">On board video for gaming?? NEVER!!! I didnt notice it the first time I looked at the site.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Computer Builders Warehouse can bounce my stuff off their chin if they think I am gonna buy that board! IICCCKK!!! Thanks guys.