Abit NF7, Asus A7N8X, or EpoX 8RDA+ - which one do you have?

[cabains]

one more vote for epox 8rda+

 

[sambao21]

you can also get it at gameve.com, they've got the 1.2, so does anyone know if abit is going to, if not already, fix the problem with bios corruption? i've heard epox already took care of it with a bios flash on the 8rda, but i think i like the more voltage to the chipset. do you guys use any cooling on the northbridge or southbridge?

 

[Shimmishim]

I'm with the EPoX even though i can't hit 200 mhz

i am going to do the vdd mod as soon as i get the smd grabbers

i already have my POT set to 700 ohms so i should be able to get the vdd up to 1.8 ish (no soldering required)

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: sambao21
you can also get it at gameve.com, they've got the 1.2, so does anyone know if abit is going to, if not already, fix the problem with bios corruption?

TheInquirer mentions that nforce2 boards need a required jumper to recover from bios corruption. Revision 1.2 of the NF7 (-S) does indeed have that jumper.(Info) Plus you can get a combo deal at excaliberPC that includes a BIOS recovery kit.

 

[bgeh]

i'm going to get the Abit NF7-S for its VDD option so that i don't need to mod my mobo

 

[ferrarifreak93]

I wonder if the NF7 version has the extra jumpers that the NF7-S does. Anyone know ?

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: ferrarifreak93
I wonder if the NF7 version has the extra jumpers that the NF7-S does. Anyone know ?

I'm pretty sure nf7 (non S) version 1.2 does. As they're basically both the same board except for some added features provided by (-S). It's also sold at ExcaliberPC.

 

[sygyzy]

I have the Asus A7N8 X Deluxe and the Epox 8RDA+, how's that?

 

[Richdog]

Apparently the best overclocker is Abit's new revision 1.2 of the NF7-S board...

 

[Dan]

I've got the A7N8X Deluxe. Right now I've got it set up with 2 x 512MB of Samsung PC2700 DDR and a 2100+ chip. (I've got a 2500+ on order from newegg.)

 

[Hozza007]

Let's find out the easy way what the prefered board is VOTE HERE, see you all on the darkside lol

 

[EdipisReks]

i would get the nf-7, but i need the mounting holes around the socket to use the slk-900 that i plan on getting. 8RDA+ for me.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: ferrarifreak93

Originally posted by: SeekingTao
The Abit is not the cheapest of the 3, the Epox is. Pricewise it goes like this:

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe
Abit NF7-S
Epox 8RDA+

The Abit is the cheaptest at Newegg --- Abit (105), Asus (121), EpoX (112).

Abit NF7-S = $125
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe = $149
Epox 8RDA = $112

Compare apples to apples... the top of the line board from each manufacturer in this case. Epox is the least expensive.

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: EdipisReks
i would get the nf-7, but i need the mounting holes around the socket to use the slk-900 that i plan on getting.

Rev 1.1 and Rev 1.2 have the mounting holes. Still I believe some more changes need to be made when using SLK-900 with Rev 1.2.

 

[EdipisReks]

hmmmm... i think i'll get the NF7-S, now, since it has the holes. it looks like the ASUS overclocks the best, and i was going to get the digital out for the 8RDA+ (which is $18) anyway which makes the price the same. glad i checked this thread.

 

[KidChaos]

Originally posted by: EdipisReks
hmmmm... i think i'll get the NF7-S, now, since it has the holes. it looks like the ASUS overclocks the best, and i was going to get the digital out for the 8RDA+ (which is $18) anyway which makes the price the same. glad i checked this thread.

Good choice! If ya choose SLK-900 though, you should probably check out the post in the link above:

Abit has narrowed down on size of the holes around socket for bolt thru since rev 1.2 motherboard. Standoffs in early shipment of SLK-900 (Jan/Feb) may not fit in. Those in later shipment (late February) will go thru but a tad tight. We've initiated engineering change to make smaller standoffs (the lower part) and will send some as spare parts to resellers in the next 2~3 weeks just for NF7-S owners.

When you receive your order, make sure the standoffs will go thru the holes then it'll be all right. If not, contact (where heatsink was purchased) for new standoffs.

Abit NF7-S was removed from the motherboard compatibility list due to this hole size problem. We will list it up again when new standoffs are ready.

And of the top three, NF7-S Revision 1.2 overclocks the best.

 

[ferrarifreak93]

Originally posted by: SeekingTaoAbit NF7-S = $125
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe = $149
Epox 8RDA = $112

Compare apples to apples... the top of the line board from each manufacturer in this case. Epox is the least expensive.

Yes, compare apples to apples. The 8RDA+ should be compared to the Abit NF7 and Asus A7N8X because of the features, not because one is top-of-the-line and one isn't - 8RDA+ doesn't have serial ATA like the NF7-S or A7N8X deluxe. Therefore, one should compare the prices of 8RDA+ to the prices of NF7 and A7N8X. At newegg, Abit NF7($105), Asus A7N8X (121), EpoX 8RDA+ (112).

 

[TAL0N]

Originally posted by: ferrarifreak93

Yes, compare apples to apples. The 8RDA+ should be compared to the Abit NF7 and Asus A7N8X because of the features, not because one is top-of-the-line and one isn't - 8RDA+ doesn't have serial ATA like the NF7-S or A7N8X deluxe. Therefore, one should compare the prices of 8RDA+ to the prices of NF7 and A7N8X. At newegg, Abit NF7($105), Asus A7N8X (121), EpoX 8RDA+ (112).

The 8RDA+ uses the MCP-T whereas the NF7 and A7N8X use the MCP, therefore you should be comparing the 8RDA non-plus to those boards.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: TAL0N

Originally posted by: ferrarifreak93

Yes, compare apples to apples. The 8RDA+ should be compared to the Abit NF7 and Asus A7N8X because of the features, not because one is top-of-the-line and one isn't - 8RDA+ doesn't have serial ATA like the NF7-S or A7N8X deluxe. Therefore, one should compare the prices of 8RDA+ to the prices of NF7 and A7N8X. At newegg, Abit NF7($105), Asus A7N8X (121), EpoX 8RDA+ (112).

The 8RDA+ uses the MCP-T whereas the NF7 and A7N8X use the MCP, therefore you should be comparing the 8RDA non-plus to those boards.

Thanks man.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Last time I checked the non + was under $90 and the + was $108 with free shipping at newegg

i should have my new Epox 8RDA + w/ Tbred 1700 w/ HyperX 3000 ram next week....

 

[ferrarifreak93]

what is the difference between MCP and MCP-T?

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: ferrarifreak93
what is the difference between MCP and MCP-T?

MCP Is the one with 2 channel sound, no FireWire (IEE1394), I think it doesn't have LAN either . MCP-T has the 6-channel sound, FireWire, and LAN (10/100 ethernet).

 

[KidChaos]

nForce2 MCP-T (often called MCP2-T to distinguish it from the nforce1 part) is more feature rich than nForce2 MCP (often called MCP2 to distinguish it from the nforce1 part). Instead of focusing on the version of the MCP in order to determine the feature-set of a particular motherboard, check with the manus specs of that motherboard that you may know which features of the MCP/MCP-T/MCP2/MCP2-T have actually been implemented. For example, MCP2-T has the nVidia APU. Chaintech Zenith has MCP2-T but the nVidia APU is disabled in favor of a CMedia chip.

 

[ferrarifreak93]

thanks, I will be going with the 8RDA+ i think

 

[Fingolfin269]

I was in the same boat as you and decided last night that for around $8 more than the Epox I could go to GameVE and get the Abit. I figured it this way : For $8 I picked up s/pdif and sata. While I may not use them now at least I know I have them if I decide to use them. Plus, being able to change around the voltages via the Abit bios is a definite plus.