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MSI KT4A-V MSI Part No: MS-7021
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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1
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8277
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09-02-2007
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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None indicated
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10.0
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Description:
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Socket-A (462) Motherboard for AthlonXP, Duron, etc.
See http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...p?model=kt4a-v for full specs sheet.
Appears to be a refurbished version of the KT6A -- http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...model=kt6v-lsr -- if you compare the photos closely (back/forward rapidly in browser) you'll see how nearly identical they are. Even have the same MS-7021 part number.
KT4A-V has onboard, all on rear panel:
* 1 COM
* 1 LPT
* 4 USB in rear panel (2 conn'x heads inside add
. 2 more for total of 8)
* 5.1- or 6-ch sound with Speaker/HP, Line In,
. Mic In, and RCA S/PDIF connector
* 10/100baseT LAN
Has one 4x AGP slot (KT400A) (MSI site claims 8x, but BIOS I have only supports 4x), 5 PCI slots (VT8237 bridge), and the prerequisite standard 2 IDE cable heads (VT82C586A/B/VT82C686/A/B/VT823x/A/C PIPC) , one floppy cable head. Has three 3-conductor fan connections onboard.
Chipset is VIA-based. K8T800 Southbridge.
Apparently is ATA-133.
Sound is VT8233/A/8235/8237-based 5.1-channel AC97 Audio Controller, properly detected by ALSA, and functions properly with current kernel/driver. Their site can't seem to decide if it's 5.1-channel or 6-channel.
LAN is VT6102 [Rhine-II]. Functions properly with current kernel/driver.
Board has sensors based on Winbond W83697HF chip, driven properly by the kernel module "w83627hf". Supports SMART hard drives, so sensors packages can read HDD temps as well.
Has that extra 4-prong ATX extended power tap.
Currently, I am running kernel 2.6.22.5, though I've run as old as 2.4....something with no problems on this board. All hardware appears to be detected properly (I cannot test S/PDIF).
This board permits many overclocking options, including DRAM timing, FSB timing, and even dynamic overclocking. Also allows some voltage controls. Will not boot if settings are not just right, so if you have this board and find it won't boot, try resetting the BIOS with the jumper next to the last PCI slot on the board. BIOS also sports "PC Health Status" screen, displaying voltages and temperatures in realtime. Helpful when overclocking -- keep it on that screen for a while and see if the temps are good at a certain setting without risking HDD files or OS corruption.
Supports no slower than an 1100 MHz processor in the KT4A-V (not sure about KT4A) and as fast as a 3200 MHz processor. Up to two 1GB DDR 400 sticks. I have been running an AMD AthlonXP 1600 (normally 1250 MHz IIRC) in this board at 1600 MHz (AthlonXP 2000 rating) for about two years with no issues. I tried overclocking to different settings recently and started having HDD errors, so I reset clocks back to standard (I believe 1250 MHz is actual XP1600 chip speed). I now have an occasional BadCRC error pop up in my dmesg. Did I fry something?
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Keywords:
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MSI Micro Star MicroStar KT4A KT4A-V Mainboard Motherboard MS-7021 MS7021
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Chipset:
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VIA KT400/KT600; VIA VT82C586/VT82C686/VT82xxxxx
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09-02-2007, 03:01 AM
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#1
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Registered: Dec 2006
Distribution: Debian Meltingpot: Etch base with a touch of Lenny and a hint of Sid
Posts: 100
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Would you recommend the product? yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
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Kernel (uname -r):
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2.6.22.5
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Distribution:
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Debian 3.1/4.0
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[ Log in to get rid of this advertisement]
Excellent board. Has served me well. Purchased off of eBay (as was the memory, CPU). See description: Everything on the board appears to be Linux compatible. Highly recommended, I've had no trouble from it running an AthlonXP 1600+ at AthlonXP 2000+ speeds (roughly 30% or so overclock). If you do overclock, keep an eye on what the sensors are telling you. Allows for individual timing and voltage settings independent of other devices in the board, so it will allow you to make the system completely unbootable. Write down the settings that work, because if you experiment, you WILL wind up resetting the BIOS to get it to boot again. And they mean it when they say it won't support less than an 1100 MHz chip -- I didn't know this when I bought the board, so the 1000 Mhz Thunderbird I had was crap for it.
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