Motherboard - Anyone Heard of ECS/PC Chips GOAL3+ MicroATX??

kmfdmk · 06-13-2008, 05:08 AM

ECS GOAL3+ Micro ATX Motherboard over @ NewEgg w/ Sempron 3000 combo for $50 bucks. $40 after MIR.

Looks like it's really just a re-badged PC Chips GOAL3+

Just wondering if anyone else here has heard of it or used it? I just bought one to install in my Supra and couldn't find any reviews at all on the 'net (well at least via google).

DarquePervert · 06-14-2008, 07:57 AM

I will never use another PCChips motherboard.
They are budget boards, and I've had problems every time I've built a system based on a PCChips board.

In my eyes, they are complete garbage.
I see in your sig that you use an ECS board now. I feel the exact same way about ECS boards, too. I've had the same problems with ECS boards, as well.

With motherboards, "cheapest" is not the way to go.

kmfdmk · 06-14-2008, 08:51 PM

Oh I very well know that these are budget boards, and that you do get what you pay for. I'm actually replacing an ECS KN1 Extreme with an ASUS A8V-X on Monday. I have a degree in computer programming and used to fix computers for a living. However getting a Sempron 3000 AND a Micro-ATX motherboard for $40 bucks isn't really all that bad. Even if I have to replace it with another Socket 754 motherboard.

I've used a few ECS products in the past with excellent results, however my most recent experience with ECS hasn't been that great. I'll play it by ear.

neohack · 06-14-2008, 09:12 PM

I have been using a PC Chips for quite some time AG31. It's working just fine.

-zip- · 06-16-2008, 10:29 AM

PC Chip boards are craptastic.

Woofnstuff · 06-16-2008, 04:55 PM

yeah spend the extra $10 and get a better brand board

ive had such a bad run with pc chips stuff too, to be honest im amazed they are still around

dvsdimsum · 06-20-2008, 04:57 PM

I'd not recommend any ECS board. These are frequently available at my local Fry's Electronics for dirt cheap. Like you said, you get what you pay for. While user reviews might reflect more bias from frustration than bad quality, these boards are notorious for driver issues (aka, you're lucky if you get it to work, and you are really lucky if you get it to keep working).

Especially since this is going into a car, and maintenance/access is not as frequent/easy as a normal PC sitting in a room, I'd suggest getting a better board. If you like giving yourself a (unecessary) challenge on a budget, this will likely do both.

galvitron · 06-21-2008, 03:04 AM

Here's a much better board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130170

Just put the best CPU you can afford with it. Intel has a list of campatible CPUs for every chipset on their website. Search for CPUs compatible with the G945.