MicroStar International K7T Pro2a Review

Overall Rating

Claimed to be the best from where I got it. Works very well with most software. Advanced chipset Ata 100 compatable. Onboard sound. 2 usb ports and 2 internal usb ports. Internal status indicator. CNR slot. Allows Software overclock by slight adjust and even has this feature in the Bios menu.

Some strange problems with Win98 and some other applications. The onboard sound isn't the best (AC97). Some hardware incompatablity issues. Too many bios updates available to feel comfortable. Alot of question about it actually being one of the very best. No ISA slots.

This Socket A Atx KT133 based motherboard is quite well at gaming, Graphics, data handling and internal device manipulation. But it seems to have strange problems with external interfaces and perifials. I have had trouble getting SCSI devices to work without question and even have some trouble with LPT ports at times. But I am not sure if this is a problem with the motherboard or with Win98. Just like the problem with APM and waking it back up. Sometimes, when you wake it up out of suspend mode it will hang and cause the system to become unstable. It seems to have alot of difficulty with internet browsing and other internet based aplications as well. Like slow starting browsers and email applications and when it begins to dial it has a bit of a momentary system hang where the mouse and everything else will briefly freeze. Overall the board is a very nice board and it works quite well with some unpredictable bugs that come by and bite you at times.
I haven't tried networking with this motherboard yet, but I am sure to soon; that may work very well. One problem I have had with this one is with my Monster sound card- It causes the thing to crash all the time. I will find the solution to this sooner or later but I feel that this shouldn't be a problem at all. And the 1st board I got of this make and model was a dud. The AGP slot didn't work- believe it or not- I'm serious- question me all you want- it just didn't work.
I like the board and I have assembled 3 systems with this exact board so far and am about to do another. I have had no substantial complaints about the board, but I am anticipating it. The board is suggested for overclockers and power-users, not really for the standard system.

Members' Comments onHuer.'s Review

• Longbow. on 3rd Dec 2001

  I agree with this review, I have built a few pc's with these motherboards. Including my own..I don't know about the monster sound conflict ..might be a driver problem ..but the KT7pro2a for sure has some strange reactions to external devices sometimes, USB webcams , USB Printers, ok..well any usb device connection can be a bit of an adventure..Having said that it's a fast motherboard ..but not for end-users, and a little too scary to use for business systems or networking.