Asus A8n32 series of M/Bs...

[bob4432]

why is everybody recommending them now as the best thing since sliced bread? what happend to the epox love? the msi love? dfi love?

just curious as to when the switch to these asus m/bs was made....

 

[n7]

Since this.

However, i don't think they can be recommended for a value or even midrange setup.

 

[bob4432]

i guess i should have said for amd machines....

 

[Skott]

Actually the MSI version is a pretty good alternative. Its layout of the PCI slots is better than the ASUS but the ASUS edges it out in performance by a small amount. Until there is another mobo that clearly trumps the ASUS A8N32 mobo in all areas its the mobo to have and beat. It is kinda pricey though for some folks.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: bob4432
i guess i should have said for amd machines....

Oops...i linked to the wrong one.

 

[potato28]

The DFI eXpert is a 16x isn't it?

 

[bob4432]

is the dual 16x pci-e stuff really necessary? i mean if we don't even use agp 8x to full saturation, then we obviously don't use 8x pci-e, so what good is 16x pci-e?

 

[SnoMunke]

I have the A8N32-SLI...and hate it. Give me back my Epox or MSI board...

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: potato28
The DFI eXpert is a 16x isn't it?

I dont think so.

 

[Arcanedeath]

Sadly the Expert is still only 8x in both slots

 

[bob4432]

what is the advantage in real life, not on paper of dual 16x? are there any benches that actually show a difference between sli/crossfire in 8x vs 16x? and what cards needs this type of bandwidth? 7800gtx 512? x1900xt?

 

[Wall7486]

Originally posted by: Skott

Originally posted by: potato28
The DFI eXpert is a 16x isn't it?

I dont think so.

No it isn't. But, I think anandtech benchmarked the Xpert to the A8N32 and the Xpert wasn't so far apart in terms of FPS. I think until SLi can fully utlize the full x16, the DFI boards will still be very competitive.

The A8N32 is just an eye candy. The heatpipes and the x16 marketting. They did improve the overclocking features. Neverthless it is a board to get if you can drop 220 on a M/B, go for it.

 

[imported_taku]

to me duall pci slots means i can run four dvi lcd monitors off of two xfx 6600 video cards at 1024x1280 in portait mode.



MSI K8NGM2-FID
2000 pro . sp4
xfx 6600GT
antecrx 640b sp400
amd 939+3700 single layer
Emprex dual layer cd dvd r/w
floppy
2x120 ide maxtor
corsair 2x512
3 dell 1905 FP protait mode


P4C800 deluxe p4 chip
2000 pro . sp4
everthing else about the same
except 4 dell 1905FP
pny 5500 dual port analog agp
and another one PCI dual port

A8n-vm csm . rma to ASUS and been there a long long time.
if it ever returns i will stick it in my dust bin of spare parts in the garage.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: bob4432
what is the advantage in real life, not on paper of dual 16x? are there any benches that actually show a difference between sli/crossfire in 8x vs 16x? and what cards needs this type of bandwidth? 7800gtx 512? x1900xt?

Nothing even approaches that bandwidth, the same goes for x8 interface. Perhaps a NIC, or a SCSI card or something might begin to clog an x8 interface.

So in short, there is no real advantage. The only advantages that you may see in graphs are due to seperate Northbridge Southbridge (Needed a SB in order to add the other 16 lanes of PCI-E).

-Kevin

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: bob4432
what is the advantage in real life, not on paper of dual 16x? are there any benches that actually show a difference between sli/crossfire in 8x vs 16x? and what cards needs this type of bandwidth? 7800gtx 512? x1900xt?

Nothing even approaches that bandwidth, the same goes for x8 interface. Perhaps a NIC, or a SCSI card or something might begin to clog an x8 interface.

So in short, there is no real advantage. The only advantages that you may see in graphs are due to seperate Northbridge Southbridge (Needed a SB in order to add the other 16 lanes of PCI-E).

-Kevin

thank you for the information. i just can't understand why so many people have been recommending them. i could see some large 15k scsi raid setups utilizing the bandwidth (the would definately be going with a true server board though, not this asus board), but when agp 8x is not fully utilized i don't know why everybody thinks these 16x pci-e slots are a big deal for gpus at this point in time....

guess it is just more marketing, like all the fatality stuff....and it appears to be working on some...

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: n7
Since this.

However, i don't think they can be recommended for a value or even midrange setup.

That link is for Intel Based systems. The A8N-XXX Line of motherboards from ASUS that the opening poster is asking about is for AMD Athlon 64 systems.