PC beginners: Don't buy VIA hardware!

megamaced · 23-11-2005, 09:11 PM

I feel like ranting about the terrible hardware that VIA technology drags off its shelves!

Rule 1: Never buy a motherboard with a VIA chipset
Guaranteed to cause incompatibilty problems with other hardware/software. Guaranteed to cause latency issues. Guaranteed to be crap

Rule 2: Never buy a VIA processor
Can you believe they make processors! They have always lagged behind Intel and AMD

Rule 3: Never buy an expansion card with a VIA chipset (especially a USB 2.0 PCI card)
The drivers are terrible, the software is incompatible, causes all sorts of problems. Drives you mad

Rant over..

Addis · 23-11-2005, 08:24 PM

Might be a rant but its no reason to misinform people of a problem that only you may have faced.

Btw via CPUs aren't meant to compete with AMD and Intel, they work well with their tiny motherboards and can be passively cooled.

ninja fetus · 23-11-2005, 08:39 PM

so this is the old "I'm grumpy, I got sand in my 'gina" thread?

Via has a good reputation and I've had pleasant experiences with their chipsets and other pci expansion cards with Via's chip in it. I've never had an incompatibility issue and if you had one it's your own fault for not checking up on any product that you bought.

Anti-Trend · 23-11-2005, 08:45 PM

Rebuttal: My main desktop and my wife's desktop both have VIA chipsets, KT600's to be exact. I have never had a single stability problem, not once. The performance is excellent, they overclock well, and I never have to jump through any hoops. In fact, VIA's chipsets are so good AMD stopped making mainstream chipsets of their own a long time ago (AMD's words, not mine). Plus, VIA has excellent Linux support. Since I only run Linux, VIA is always my first choice. And as for VIA's CPUs, I'd like to see you run Quake3 for 24 hours straight without a heatsync on an Athlon or P4. I'm not using any VIA CPUs currently, but I think they'd be ideal for thin form-factor and embedded systems, which is really what they are designed for. I wouldn't mind having one of those babies in my firewall.

-AT

Fred · 23-11-2005, 09:03 PM

Well, I can't comment on the proccessors, however: I have only ever ran PC's with VIA chipsets and I have yet to experience incompatibility issues. In fact, everything I have plugged in not only works fine with eachother, but works fine with linux as well. Same thing with USB. Never had a single problem. So it sounds to me like a personal problem.

Big B · 23-11-2005, 09:58 PM

Hmm...I've run quite a few Via-based motherboards without trouble. I know the 686B southbridge ran into some trouble with some of Creative's SoundBlaster Live! cards, but Crapative was at least partially to blame for not following PCI specifications on the SB Live! design (let's ignore their bloatware).

Via's main issue right now, is with the DIY/Enthusiast segment where they've been eclipsed by the better-equipped nForce 3/4 chipsets, but they seem to be gearing up for a comback with the K8T890.

Other than stating you think VIA sucks, you've given no proof---besides you're pissed off at them.

sabashuali · 24-11-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbenge

I feel like ranting about the terrible hardware that VIA technology drags off its shelves!

Then do it in the War Zone.....

I only ever had two mobos which I have used, both ASRock and both use the VIA chipset.
Never had any problems, compatability or otherwise. From the rest of the replies I would say you are ranting up the wrong chipset.
How many motherboards using VIA chipsets have you tried?
Is this rant based on one experience or have you had a long line of VIA hardware which failed you? I am absolutely serious,

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb

Other than stating you think VIA sucks, you've given no proof---besides you're pissed off at them

Have you ever been in touch with VIA? If you think that the PC building community out there should know how bad VIA are, don't you think VIA should know as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbenge

Rant over..

Well done!

StimpE · 24-11-2005, 12:52 AM

I've used Via chipsets and have had nothing but good experiences from them. Go get a punching bag from your local retailer and hit it hard for lets say...20 minutes. Feel better now?

Big B · 24-11-2005, 02:53 AM

Moved to The War Zone, as suggested. It actually fits better here anyway.

I can name several motherboards with a VIA chipset in them that have worked quite well and in long-term use based on personal, long-term experience:

Asus A7V (KT133)
AOpen AK47 (KT266)
MSI K7T (KT266A)
Tyan Trinity 133 (ApolloPro 133A)
SuperMicro P3TDDE (ApolloPro 266T)
Gigabyte GA7VAXP Ultra (KT400)
Soyo KT600 Dragon + (KT600)

And let's not for get that my DFI NF4 Ultra-D has the Firewire powered by a VIA chipset...

No, I have no inkling of experience with a VIA-based product.

pelvis_3 · 24-11-2005, 05:35 AM

I totally agree with every one's comments here.
I myself have never had any problems with VIA either!
jonbenge - Maybe you should care to elaborate on your reasons for hating VIA?
Don't forget, VIA were the market leader in AMD compatible chipset sales before the nForce 2!

Waffle · 24-11-2005, 12:00 PM

haha I love it when they get owned and don't reply again

I'm using a VIA Chipset on one of my rigs, no problems whatsoever.

Not even a very good rant to be honest..there's no justification or anything.

megamaced · 24-11-2005, 12:50 PM

Looks like i've struck a nerve with a few of you! Calm down, it's only an opinion!

Let me explain..

Take yourself back to the early 90s. You have a socket 7 system and a choice of an Intel P1, an AMD k6 and a VIA Cyrix MII (or whatever it was called). Via chips under-performed and therefore, they lost market share, hence why they only cover a 'specialised market' these days. I'm sure VIA chips of today are great, but given the choice, i'd take an AMD or Intel any day

As for expansion cards, VIA DO have a bad reputation. Take their USB 2.0 PCI cards for example, they have all sorts of problems (www.usbman.com for more info). They are especially incompatible with VIA motherboard chipsets. It is fair to say that VIA are new to USB upgrade cards, but thats not really an excuse. I challenge anyone to tell me different.

Addis · 24-11-2005, 03:36 PM

Via CPUs are not meant to challenge AMD or Intel CPUs in normal usage. They may have fell behind, but they're still going and they have uses, which is the important thing.

An excuse for what? The only thing that they are obligated to do is refund your money if it doesn't work.

Thing is ranting about Via because their CPUs have different uses than mainstream ones and you had a problem with a USB card doesn't mean that Via is now completely rubbish and shouldn't be bothered with.

megamaced · 24-11-2005, 08:07 PM

Here is proof that VIA hardware is terrible:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/01..._chipsets_hit/

megamaced · 24-11-2005, 08:14 PM

Here are a few quotes i've picked up from other boards:

"I've bought two VIA-based boards, and both have had significant problems. For me, the association of the VIA trademark with a board is not-so-subtle hint that it should be passed on."

"I keep reading reports of incompatibilities, instabilities, BSOD's and other issues.
Every other day there is a beta patch being released to fix problems with soundcards, corrupted HD data, videocards and so on. Anybody else think that mainboards built with Via chipsets (north and/or south bridges) are a total waste?"

I rest my case...

23-11-2005, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
megamaced Geek Geek Geek! Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 24 Male Posts: 3,466 Times Helpful: 352 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	PC beginners: Don't buy VIA hardware! I feel like ranting about the terrible hardware that VIA technology drags off its shelves! Rule 1: Never buy a motherboard with a VIA chipset Guaranteed to cause incompatibilty problems with other hardware/software. Guaranteed to cause latency issues. Guaranteed to be crap Rule 2: Never buy a VIA processor Can you believe they make processors! They have always lagged behind Intel and AMD Rule 3: Never buy an expansion card with a VIA chipset (especially a USB 2.0 PCI card) The drivers are terrible, the software is incompatible, causes all sorts of problems. Drives you mad Rant over..

23-11-2005, 08:24 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
Addis The King Join Date: Jan 2004 Age: 18 Male Posts: 5,255 Times Helpful: 403 My Mood: Drunk Status: Offline My Computer	Might be a rant but its no reason to misinform people of a problem that only you may have faced. Btw via CPUs aren't meant to compete with AMD and Intel, they work well with their tiny motherboards and can be passively cooled. __________________ Never trust a program you don't have the source code for. My website \| Powerful Desktop Linux \| Linux for human beings \| Linux for power users \| Linux for ricers

23-11-2005, 08:45 PM	#4 (permalink) Top
Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek Join Date: Oct 2003 Age: 27 Male Posts: 4,879 Times Helpful: 535 Status: Offline My Computer	Rebuttal: My main desktop and my wife's desktop both have VIA chipsets, KT600's to be exact. I have never had a single stability problem, not once. The performance is excellent, they overclock well, and I never have to jump through any hoops. In fact, VIA's chipsets are so good AMD stopped making mainstream chipsets of their own a long time ago (AMD's words, not mine). Plus, VIA has excellent Linux support. Since I only run Linux, VIA is always my first choice. And as for VIA's CPUs, I'd like to see you run Quake3 for 24 hours straight without a heatsync on an Athlon or P4. I'm not using any VIA CPUs currently, but I think they'd be ideal for thin form-factor and embedded systems, which is really what they are designed for. I wouldn't mind having one of those babies in my firewall. -AT __________________ See My Desktop \| Try Linux \| Install Linux \| Visit My Server \| Support Hardware Forums \| Easily rip DVDs in Linux \| Remember Everything

23-11-2005, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,636 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	Hmm...I've run quite a few Via-based motherboards without trouble. I know the 686B southbridge ran into some trouble with some of Creative's SoundBlaster Live! cards, but Crapative was at least partially to blame for not following PCI specifications on the SB Live! design (let's ignore their bloatware). Via's main issue right now, is with the DIY/Enthusiast segment where they've been eclipsed by the better-equipped nForce 3/4 chipsets, but they seem to be gearing up for a comback with the K8T890. Other than stating you think VIA sucks, you've given no proof---besides you're pissed off at them. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

24-11-2005, 12:52 AM	#8 (permalink) Top
StimpE lol, Internet! Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 19 Male Posts: 683 Times Helpful: 38 Status: Offline My Computer	I've used Via chipsets and have had nothing but good experiences from them. Go get a punching bag from your local retailer and hit it hard for lets say...20 minutes. Feel better now? __________________

23-11-2005, 08:39 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
ninja fetus I'm a thugged out gangsta Join Date: Mar 2004 Age: 18 Male Posts: 3,525 Times Helpful: 70 Status: Offline My Computer	so this is the old "I'm grumpy, I got sand in my 'gina" thread? Via has a good reputation and I've had pleasant experiences with their chipsets and other pci expansion cards with Via's chip in it. I've never had an incompatibility issue and if you had one it's your own fault for not checking up on any product that you bought.

23-11-2005, 09:03 PM	#5 (permalink) Top
Fred Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Age: 23 Male Posts: 659 Times Helpful: 37 Status: Offline My Computer	Well, I can't comment on the proccessors, however: I have only ever ran PC's with VIA chipsets and I have yet to experience incompatibility issues. In fact, everything I have plugged in not only works fine with eachother, but works fine with linux as well. Same thing with USB. Never had a single problem. So it sounds to me like a personal problem.

24-11-2005, 02:53 AM	#9 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,636 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	Moved to The War Zone, as suggested. It actually fits better here anyway. I can name several motherboards with a VIA chipset in them that have worked quite well and in long-term use based on personal, long-term experience: Asus A7V (KT133) AOpen AK47 (KT266) MSI K7T (KT266A) Tyan Trinity 133 (ApolloPro 133A) SuperMicro P3TDDE (ApolloPro 266T) Gigabyte GA7VAXP Ultra (KT400) Soyo KT600 Dragon + (KT600) And let's not for get that my DFI NF4 Ultra-D has the Firewire powered by a VIA chipset... No, I have no inkling of experience with a VIA-based product. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

24-11-2005, 05:35 AM	#10 (permalink) Top
pelvis_3 HWF Member For Life Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 22 Male Posts: 2,336 Times Helpful: 265 My Mood: Happy Status: Offline My Computer	I totally agree with every one's comments here. I myself have never had any problems with VIA either! jonbenge - Maybe you should care to elaborate on your reasons for hating VIA? Don't forget, VIA were the market leader in AMD compatible chipset sales before the nForce 2! __________________ Adopt an unanswered thread. \| Who's Online \| vB Code Some people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them! Support bacteria, it's the only culture some people have!

24-11-2005, 12:00 PM	#11 (permalink) Top
Waffle Alpha Geek Join Date: Apr 2004 Age: 20 Male Posts: 2,270 Times Helpful: 51 My Mood: Angelic Status: Offline My Computer	haha I love it when they get owned and don't reply again I'm using a VIA Chipset on one of my rigs, no problems whatsoever. Not even a very good rant to be honest..there's no justification or anything.

24-11-2005, 12:50 PM	#12 (permalink) Top
megamaced Geek Geek Geek! Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 24 Male Posts: 3,466 Times Helpful: 352 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	Looks like i've struck a nerve with a few of you! Calm down, it's only an opinion! Let me explain.. Take yourself back to the early 90s. You have a socket 7 system and a choice of an Intel P1, an AMD k6 and a VIA Cyrix MII (or whatever it was called). Via chips under-performed and therefore, they lost market share, hence why they only cover a 'specialised market' these days. I'm sure VIA chips of today are great, but given the choice, i'd take an AMD or Intel any day As for expansion cards, VIA DO have a bad reputation. Take their USB 2.0 PCI cards for example, they have all sorts of problems (www.usbman.com for more info). They are especially incompatible with VIA motherboard chipsets. It is fair to say that VIA are new to USB upgrade cards, but thats not really an excuse. I challenge anyone to tell me different. __________________ "A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows". ~Linus Torvalds

24-11-2005, 03:36 PM	#13 (permalink) Top
Addis The King Join Date: Jan 2004 Age: 18 Male Posts: 5,255 Times Helpful: 403 My Mood: Drunk Status: Offline My Computer	Via CPUs are not meant to challenge AMD or Intel CPUs in normal usage. They may have fell behind, but they're still going and they have uses, which is the important thing. An excuse for what? The only thing that they are obligated to do is refund your money if it doesn't work. Thing is ranting about Via because their CPUs have different uses than mainstream ones and you had a problem with a USB card doesn't mean that Via is now completely rubbish and shouldn't be bothered with. __________________ Never trust a program you don't have the source code for. My website \| Powerful Desktop Linux \| Linux for human beings \| Linux for power users \| Linux for ricers

24-11-2005, 08:07 PM	#14 (permalink) Top
megamaced Geek Geek Geek! Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 24 Male Posts: 3,466 Times Helpful: 352 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	Here is proof that VIA hardware is terrible: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/01..._chipsets_hit/ __________________ "A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows". ~Linus Torvalds

24-11-2005, 08:14 PM	#15 (permalink) Top
megamaced Geek Geek Geek! Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 24 Male Posts: 3,466 Times Helpful: 352 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	Here are a few quotes i've picked up from other boards: "I've bought two VIA-based boards, and both have had significant problems. For me, the association of the VIA trademark with a board is not-so-subtle hint that it should be passed on." "I keep reading reports of incompatibilities, instabilities, BSOD's and other issues. Every other day there is a beta patch being released to fix problems with soundcards, corrupted HD data, videocards and so on. Anybody else think that mainboards built with Via chipsets (north and/or south bridges) are a total waste?" I rest my case... __________________ "A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows". ~Linus Torvalds

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