I'm putting together a new computer. So far I have only bought a Thermaltake Tsunami case and OCZ Powerstream 520 PSU. I've chosen an AMD dual core X2 4200+ processor. I haven't been able to decide on a motherboard. The Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe is the most expensive of the ones I've looked at. But I'm also considering A8N-SLI, DFI NF4 SLI Infinity, I read the DFI NF4-DAGF have problems? How about the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum? Any other suggestions? I don't necessarily need SLI right now...but I guess if I buy an SLI board, I have the option to add a card whwnever I want. Any other boards anyone can suggest that easily support dual core 4200+? Thanks.
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MOBO choices for New System
- Thread starter 3mar67
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Retsam
2[H]4U
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- Sep 2, 2005
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I use an EPOX 9npa+ultra. Rock solid board. Actually bought 2. I use it with an opty 144 overclocked and an opty 165. Rock solid, no problems. And the cheapest. Theres actually a new one out now, the Epox 9npa3 ultra. Same thing as the 9npa+ultra except has some layout fixes and lacks firewire. $85 for that one or $100 for the older one. Thats another idea. Id either get the asus, dfi or epox. Stay away from msi.
heatlesssun
Extremely [H]
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2005
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- 44,154
I have an A8N32-SLI, and I think its the best mobo I've ever had. [H]ardOcp has a review of it up.
They complained of SATA RAID issues, and I know that others have had them, but my system has been rock solid 24x7 for almost two months now, and I've had no issues.
The biggest problem with this board is the placement of the slots if you are using SLI with dual slot cards. There's only one BARELY open slot, which people are saying is usuable, but putting in a sound card would be a tight squeeze. I'm not an audiophile, so I just went with onboard, and I'm thinking I'm going to put a PhysX card in that PCI slot when they come out.
I'm not a big overclocker, all I've done is push my FSB to 216, but that does turn my 4800+ into a stock FX-60, which is good enough for me.
While others mileage will vary, I just put the board in the case, and it worked. Zero problems, with the exception of one BIOS setting for SLI that needed to be changed. Took a few days to figure it out, but only setting change is really not a big deal, considering not one other issue.
When something works without problems, I'm impressed, and that's why I like the A8N32.
They complained of SATA RAID issues, and I know that others have had them, but my system has been rock solid 24x7 for almost two months now, and I've had no issues.
The biggest problem with this board is the placement of the slots if you are using SLI with dual slot cards. There's only one BARELY open slot, which people are saying is usuable, but putting in a sound card would be a tight squeeze. I'm not an audiophile, so I just went with onboard, and I'm thinking I'm going to put a PhysX card in that PCI slot when they come out.
I'm not a big overclocker, all I've done is push my FSB to 216, but that does turn my 4800+ into a stock FX-60, which is good enough for me.
While others mileage will vary, I just put the board in the case, and it worked. Zero problems, with the exception of one BIOS setting for SLI that needed to be changed. Took a few days to figure it out, but only setting change is really not a big deal, considering not one other issue.
When something works without problems, I'm impressed, and that's why I like the A8N32.
Ya, if your using one VGA card, go with the A8n32-SLi. I have one, its great.
However, if you thinking of going SLi, the A8n32-SLi slot setup is pretty terrible.
You gotta leave one slot under your VGA card when your aircooling.
So the slot setup is:
PCIe 1x/4x
PCIe 16x
PCI <--- gone, for room for air
PCI
PCIe 16x
PCI <--- gone, for room for air
So your left with one PCI slot, so you can either fit in a Soundcard or TV-Tuner,
or anything... And the sad thing is, the left over PCI slot is right ontop of the VGA
board, so that may cause a heating issue...
The other two are pretty useless how they placed it...
They should have placed it like
PCIe 16x
PCIe 1x/4x
PCIe 16x
PCI
PCI
PCI
Atleast that way you get potentially 2 slots atleast.
In addition, A8n32-SLi is a 'stable' board. However in SLi setup, although it boasts its true x16 SLi, the benchmarks show that it actually looses several times to the DFI nf4 DR. Furthermore, Asus always creates 'stable' boards, which always monitor the OCing you do, and tries to automatically change parameters so the board can stay stable. So when OCing, A8n32-SLi tends to give you more trouble. You gotta disable this and that, and takes a bit more time then the DFI board.
Easily put, if you want stability you take ASUS. If you want good potential OCing, take DFI.
However, if you thinking of going SLi, the A8n32-SLi slot setup is pretty terrible.
You gotta leave one slot under your VGA card when your aircooling.
So the slot setup is:
PCIe 1x/4x
PCIe 16x
PCI <--- gone, for room for air
PCI
PCIe 16x
PCI <--- gone, for room for air
So your left with one PCI slot, so you can either fit in a Soundcard or TV-Tuner,
or anything... And the sad thing is, the left over PCI slot is right ontop of the VGA
board, so that may cause a heating issue...
The other two are pretty useless how they placed it...
They should have placed it like
PCIe 16x
PCIe 1x/4x
PCIe 16x
PCI
PCI
PCI
Atleast that way you get potentially 2 slots atleast.
In addition, A8n32-SLi is a 'stable' board. However in SLi setup, although it boasts its true x16 SLi, the benchmarks show that it actually looses several times to the DFI nf4 DR. Furthermore, Asus always creates 'stable' boards, which always monitor the OCing you do, and tries to automatically change parameters so the board can stay stable. So when OCing, A8n32-SLi tends to give you more trouble. You gotta disable this and that, and takes a bit more time then the DFI board.
Easily put, if you want stability you take ASUS. If you want good potential OCing, take DFI.
IMHO the x32 Asus is OVERKILL even the deluxe and premium are more than most people need .. if i were you i'd save the 50-70 bucks and just get the regular basic a8n-sli
steer clear of the dfi infinity .. heard of lots of problems with those...
a8n-sli is on newegg right now for 118.. can't beat that. my guess is you'll never miss the deluxe, premium, or x32 versions.
mal
Edit: is it wrong that we named our new yorkie puppy MOBO?
steer clear of the dfi infinity .. heard of lots of problems with those...
a8n-sli is on newegg right now for 118.. can't beat that. my guess is you'll never miss the deluxe, premium, or x32 versions.
mal
Edit: is it wrong that we named our new yorkie puppy MOBO?
heatlesssun
Extremely [H]
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2005
- Messages
- 44,154
While the spacing is tight on the A8N32 if you're using dual slot GPU's, at least with the 512 GTX, you should be able to put a sound card in. Apparently others have done it and it works, just tight on spacing.
If you are set on dual slot GPU's and a sound card, the A8N32 may not be the best choice, but it can work.
While this motherboard may be overkill, I wanted something that works, and is solid. Worrying about $75 over the cost of a motherboard when you're spending $2.5-4k seems pennywise and ponund foolish.
If you are set on dual slot GPU's and a sound card, the A8N32 may not be the best choice, but it can work.
While this motherboard may be overkill, I wanted something that works, and is solid. Worrying about $75 over the cost of a motherboard when you're spending $2.5-4k seems pennywise and ponund foolish.