how bad is ECS???

[glockjs]

im thinkin of building a second computer. just somethin cheap. frys usualy has these combo deals that includes an ECS board. just wonderin if they're worth anything at all. i just wanna build somethin cheap i already have a vid card mx4000, wdd 40gig, and a couple of roms sitting around. i need more multi tasking its hard when im sittin there playin a game to encode any video or browse the web

[freestyler]

The last ECS board I built was a P4 1.6 Ghz and it still runs quite well. Their boards aren't bad (from my experience).

[glockjs]

hmmm..interesting...thanks for the feedback freestyler

[makntraks]

im thinkin of building a second computer. just somethin cheap. frys usualy has these combo deals that includes an ECS board. just wonderin if they're worth anything at all. i just wanna build somethin cheap i already have a vid card mx4000, wdd 40gig, and a couple of roms sitting around. i need more multi tasking its hard when im sittin there playin a game to encode any video or browse the web

Have run a few with no problems or issues.....
http://www.ecsusa.com/products/k7s5a_v3.html
IMO, not a bad board for the $$

makntraks

[glockjs]

cool thanx, i guess i'll have to give em a try. 2 out of 2 pausitive feedback

[waheed]

used to have a ECS MB. there are memory compatility problems with them. need to get certain memory for them. other than that they are great value for money

[SquirrelDip]

I've built a number of machines around their boards. When they work they work great - but I've never had so many returns (more than any other board I've used).

I keep telling myself that I'll never use them again - but their price is about the cheapest you'll find. When building a machine on a tight budget the price usually has priority.

Worst experience was that the motherboard actually toasted the CPU - plugged it in and bam, dead CPU. It was a pain because I bought the board and CPU at two different suppliers - motherboard was replaced quickly but the motherborad shop refused to replace the CPU. Ended up sending it directly to AMD and they replaced it (just kept quiet about 'why' the cpu failed).

-- edit --

I'd like to add that once the initial problems were dealt with the boards worked flawlessly - all are in current service today.

[bazooka]

I usually use ecs boards and have yet to have a problem.

They are pretty good boards that are inexpensive.

[redwudz]

I've ran 3 ECS boards, all K7S5A. Two burnouts. My fault, though. The boards performed well, but seemed a little sensitive to 'operator error', at least compared to other MBs. Overall, for the price a good value. I guess my experience was similar to what SquirrelDip said.

[makntraks]

a little sensitive to 'operator error', at least compared to other MBs

Isn't that usually the case????

makntraks

[glockjs]

i just need somethin thats cheap and thats gonna work. overall sounds like these might be worth a try, but thats why im gonna buy it from fry incase i have to return it.

the way i figure...i got the vid card, i got the hdd, got the ram(gonna take an extra 512 pc3200 out of my current) and dvd rom. so all i need is a dvdr($50 for btc), mobo and cpu(maybe 2400 or 2500+ with one of these boards for at the max $75), and a cheap case with psu($50).

that puts me at $175 out of pocket for an ok(well ok means better than a dell duuude) working computer. and thats basicaly where i stand

[BrainStorm69]

My experience is that ECS ain't that bad if you don't want to OC anything. And the price is always good. And if you buy from Fry's, you got 30 days to blow it up anyhow If you haven't burned it out by then, chances are it will work for a long time.

[loconess]

my experience with ECS has been bad (all from fry's)

returned all that i ever tried (4 or 5 times)
well one worked fine, but didn't trust it.

just wait untill they have combo with better board.
ask the employees, they will tell you that they s*ck.
of course they will also tell you to buy it, it's cheap.

[glockjs]

from what i gather from this thread ECS is a hit or mis type of deal. thats why im goin into the store, they'll let you upgrade for the difference still giving you the discount for the combo. if it's not too much i'll upgrade, if it is...welp, looks like i'll be giving some feedback to this thread

[Faustus]

I have an ECS board in my 2nd system. I wouldn't use on in a primary system. I've seen them die more then any other board around my job.

[Solarflair]

Dont use ECS! Flaystus is right. Unless you dont plan on upgrading anything to the board. Physically it damages VERY easy. Their support sucks! Warentee worse, youre entitled to warentee 1 yr only if you bought it from one of THEIR supported retailers. They totally screwed me over.

[glockjs]

well update. i stopped by fry's today and they were have a 1 day sale. semp 2600+ECS KT600 for $80. couldnt pass it up. well long story short install went smooth 15 min windows install. computer is up and running an seems to be stable.

[Faustus]

Nice, hope it stays that way.

[mujahid7ia]

Maybe you should stress test it.. although that may be what ends up killing the board