Epox 8KTA3+ KT133A Motherboard Review

Conclusion

This content was originally featured on Amdmb.com and has been converted to PC Perspective’s website. Some color changes and flaws may appear.

So, what has Epox done with the release of the 8KTA3+? Several things, with the most important being the competition with Abit. It seems that every motherboard manufacturer (Abit, Asus, Iwill, and now Epox) is supplying the user with more and more options, not the least of which is the IDE RAID solutions. Soon, the IDE RAID will be as common as on-board standard IDE slots are now. Motherboard manufacturers that want to keep the mainstream PC-enthusiast buying their products need to take notes on what the user wants and make sure they get it, and get it first.

Again, the overclocking of the KT133A chipset shows its wings by allowing us to push the new 8KTA3+ motherboard to 154 MHz FSB stable. This should make any overclocker a happy person. Over last month between our 8KTA3 review and this one, only a few days ago did we begin to see shipping, in-stock 266 MHz FSB processors. These are very important to the success of this VIA KT133A chipset, because without them users are wasting their money. This does not, however, count out buying a KT133A motherboard now and a 266 MHz Athlon later, which might still be a good idea.

We gave the original Epox 8KTA3 motherboard the very first Editor’s Choice award, and so far only one other board has earned it, the Iwill KK266. I find it hard to NOT give this award once again to Epox, simply because this is the same motherboard with the addition of the High Point 370 RAID controller, which should only make it more appealing to the user. Epox has done their homework with their 8KTA3 line of the motherboards and any user would be glad to have one in their system.