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Asus A8V-Deluxe (rev 2.0) or MSI K8N Neo 2 Platinum

X

XxKrNxStyLeZxX

Member
I'm building a system with AMD 64 3000+ 939pin. These two motherboards are the same price, but I'm not sure which one to choose. I'm leaning towards the Asus because it has a passive cooled Northbridge (i'm building a quiet computer) and I heard MSI has many common issues. I've heard the MSI has more features, but I'm not sure if I actually need them. I would go with MSI if I could somehow make the fan inaudible...

Any suggestions?

Also, when are nforce4 boards coming out? I've been waiting since october...I can't wait any longer cause I have to build the comp during winter break. Would the difference be big?

Thanks
 
I'd get the Asus. Reason #1: it can limp along with a Winchester-core CPU if you use just one memory module in slot DIMM_B1, so that you're not in a Catch-22 situation if your mobo doesn't come with a BIOS revision that's new enough to support a 90nm-core 3000+ properly.
 
Asus=Stability + good performance MSI=if ya get a good one lol than you have GREAT peformance, but chances seem slim after all the posts on MSI. I have the A8V and absolutely love it! I love silence as well. If you want advice on Silence> www.silentpcreview.com
I have some good advice on Silence as well so feel free to ask if your interested 🙂 N-Force 4 reviews compare quite equally to the VIA K8T800 pro This is all my opinion ofcourse
 
mechBgon: I'll have dual memory (2 x 512mb Crucial PC3200). And I'm kinda confused on the second sentence ...

JBDan: Yeah i look over the SPCR alot. I'm thinking of getting Silverstone TJ06, Seasonic Super Tornado 350, Zalamn 7000B-cu, Arctic Cooling NV5. Please advise if there is anything quieter for similar price. I'm spending alot of extra $$$ just to have a silent PC and if this setup isnt quiet...

So, anyways. The MSI isn't that much better of a performer? In that case, I should probably go with the asus...
 
The Socket939 3000+ is a 90nm core, code-named Winchester. People sometimes order up a motherboard whose BIOS is too old to run a Winchester. To update the BIOS to run their CPU, they need a CPU that will run with the old BIOS so they can do the update. So they're stuck. But the Asus can run in "crippled mode" using the method I mentioned, so that its BIOS can be updated to get you unstuck without having to go buy a 130nm CPU or something.
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
The Socket939 3000+ is a 90nm core, code-named Winchester. People sometimes order up a motherboard whose BIOS is too old to run a Winchester. To update the BIOS to run their CPU, they need a CPU that will run with the old BIOS so they can do the update. So they're stuck. But the Asus can run in "crippled mode" using the method I mentioned, so that its BIOS can be updated to get you unstuck without having to go buy a 130nm CPU or something.
Click to expand...

My A8v shipped 10/31/04 had 1007 bios and booted just fine with my 3500+ Winchester 🙂 I have heard horror stories on the MSI's and 90nm's though. As far as your case/cooler/gfxcooler/PSU you cannot get much quieter, but I choose SilenX 120mm 14 dba fans for my Tsunami case. My HSF (Swiftech mx6400) has a SilenX 80mm 14 dba fan and my PCPower&Cooling PSU has a modded SilenX 80mm 14dba fan as well. My system is absolutely inaudible from 1 meter! My overclocks are not that great ( 3500+ 90nm @ 2.52 eVga 6800GT @ 428/1140 ) but you cannot hear the dang pc I love it! G-Luck 🙂
 
Originally posted by: XxKrNxStyLeZxX
mechBgon: I'll have dual memory (2 x 512mb Crucial PC3200). And I'm kinda confused on the second sentence ...

JBDan: Yeah i look over the SPCR alot. I'm thinking of getting Silverstone TJ06, Seasonic Super Tornado 350, Zalamn 7000B-cu, Arctic Cooling NV5. Please advise if there is anything quieter for similar price. I'm spending alot of extra $$$ just to have a silent PC and if this setup isnt quiet...

So, anyways. The MSI isn't that much better of a performer? In that case, I should probably go with the asus...
Click to expand...

The nv5 is the BOMB for silence+cooling! The Zalman is VERY quiet BUT www.SilenX.com has quieter solutions. If your a hard oc'er than stick with the Zalman. TJ06 =good reviews though I have never seen or heard this case. PSU> seasonics are very quiet dont know much on their quality build though. You are doin your homework well 😉
 
Well i was going to go with the XP-90 with the Nexus 120 Silent fan, but people said the zalman was very quiet and $40 cheaper. Also, I heard the Nexus was quieter than the silenx and people don't seem to liek silenX (they copied the idea from someone else or something, havent read into it). I won't be overclocking much, if at all (maybe to 3200+ speed if i oc).

I just found this.
http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/p...code_list.asp?code=014

It seems that you can put a passive cooler on the MSI, so it will be silent...But you have to bend the end to make it fit with the AC Nv5.

Now I'm really confused because I can get the silence with the MSI too...hmm
 
Originally posted by: XxKrNxStyLeZxX
Well i was going to go with the XP-90 with the Nexus 120 Silent fan, but people said the zalman was very quiet and $40 cheaper. Also, I heard the Nexus was quieter than the silenx and people don't seem to liek silenX (they copied the idea from someone else or something, havent read into it). I won't be overclocking much, if at all (maybe to 3200+ speed if i oc).

I just found this.
http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/p...code_list.asp?code=014

It seems that you can put a passive cooler on the MSI, so it will be silent...But you have to bend the end to make it fit with the AC Nv5.

Now I'm really confused because I can get the silence with the MSI too...hmm
Click to expand...

Interesting on the SilenX. I dont care if they copied anyone lol. All they did was put resistors on their fans to slow the rpm's down but they work and they work da_n good. The nexus is rated the same dba as Silenx. If your not oc'ing then SilenX is as quiet as they come. I have owned them for a while now and for the $ you will be hard pressed to get quieter. Its your pc though get what you think is best 😉 Its not about what ya hear its what ya WANT
 
do you have a link to the SilenX hsf for 939pin? It doesn't have one on their website...

Is the MSI a much better performer? It seems that most people vote for the MSI because the Nforce3 is significantly better than the K8T800...
 
Srry as far as the MSI the big question is IF you get a good board lol. They are few and far between from what I read, but I dont own one so I cannot say for sure. I do know the MSI, IF you get a good one, is a better oc'er. 🙂
 
have people running the asus been able to get fsb's of over 250? -- my abit a8v is having issues that i'm trying to resolve......
 
Took me a while to find a stable oc but I'm running 280 x 9 = 2520 MHz / mem at DDR 458 2.5-3-3-10 /FSB @ 2240 (2 x 1120)
 
Well, the common counter-arguement is since MSI's Neo2 mobo is probably the most popular 939 out there, it will therefore will have the most incidents of faulty boards, stupid people that can't work it, and other problems. Remember, the people who don't post here are the one's without any problems, all you see in forums are the whiners. Every review i have seen has praised the MSI Neo2.
I think its a little of both. Asus is known for quality and stability. MSI has a performance lead here, but also has had incidents is quality. Many people have been happy with it, and any distributor (newegg) is almost garunteed to give you the new BIOS. I chose the MSI, its on its way.
 
Get an MSI K8N Neo 2 + A64 3000+ CPU combo from www.monarchcomputer.com . Make sure it is a combo, don't buy the parts separately. With their mobo/cpu combos, they put the cpu in for you, boot it up with their own equipment, make sure it works properly, and flash to the current BIOS. You can also choose a 3 year mobo/cpu warranty for just $20 extra. I've heard how great MonarchComputer tech support is also. Not to mention that you get a free copy of Farcry, Naptser for 4 months, and Half Life 2. Sounds sweet to me 😉. BTW that's where I'm getting my cpu and mobo.
 
DAAAAAAAAAMN! That is a great deal. I just ordered seperate components for about the same price. At least i already got FarCry/HL2 with the BestBuy 6800 OC deal. Best part is that they test it. Is shipping free?
 
Originally posted by: Waylay00
Get an MSI K8N Neo 2 + A64 3000+ CPU combo from www.monarchcomputer.com . Make sure it is a combo, don't buy the parts separately. With their mobo/cpu combos, they put the cpu in for you, boot it up with their own equipment, make sure it works properly, and flash to the current BIOS. You can also choose a 3 year mobo/cpu warranty for just $20 extra. I've heard how great MonarchComputer tech support is also. Not to mention that you get a free copy of Farcry, Naptser for 4 months, and Half Life 2. Sounds sweet to me 😉. BTW that's where I'm getting my cpu and mobo.
Click to expand...

yeah thats what i was going to do. They have Asus A8V also, thats why I was confused.

BUt one thing about the combo is that they're pre-testing it and putting on the retail heatsink. I'd prefer to put on my Zalman 7000B-cu on the new cpu, but I guess it's not too big of a problem. Just have to clean the cpu and put on the new HSF.

NOW i'm seriously thinking about getting the MSI, but the northbridge fan still bothers me. I heard its very loud...
 
After reading through your posts on this thread I get the feeling that silence is more important to you than overclocking. If you're going to build a quiet system then I suggest you choose a board with passive cooling on the chipset. Any VIA-based motherboard has passive cooling. Why purchase a motherboard with a noisy fan that you are going to want to replace with a heatsink anyway? Just get a motherboard that uses a heatsink instead of a fan up front and save yourself the hassle.

If you remove the fan from the chipset and replace it with a hacked up heatsink then your cooling ability might not be up to par and that will probably interfere with overclocking anyway, which nullifies the primary benefit of the MSI board. Not to mention it will void the warranty on the motherboard. Save youself the hassle and go with the Asus A8V for a better platform to build a quiet PC.
 
I ruled out the MSI first thing and it was between the A8V from ASUS and the AV8 from Abit. I chose the Abit. I actually bought two of them and I love the things.

The features were only slightly different that the Asus board, nothing important enough to sway me. I've never had a problem with Abit out of almost 15 motherboards and the best part was I paid 100 buck each shipped.
 
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