ASUS STRIKER EXTREME Vs EVGA nForce 680i SLI

[imported_blackbird]

Hi Guys

I am planning for a new build with a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping (2.4GHz 1066MHz) Processor.

The motherboards I am looking at are

• Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI Socket 775 onboard Audio ATX
  EVGA nForce 680i SLI SKT775 7.1channel audio DDR2 ATX Motherboard

The system is going to be mainly used for Gaming. I am also planning to add Corsair 2GB DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL4(4-4-4-12).

I would appreciate if you guys could please give me you thoughts on these 2 motherboards and which would be a better performer.

Thanks
Prav

 

[BoboKatt]

Well I can only give my info based on the eVGA 68i SLI I have. I have no reference on the Asus except maybe what I have read on the eVGA boards from others.

The eVGA I bougth was the FIRST model that was offered. This version was later replaced as it had issues with dealing with and overclocking Quad Core CPU's. I never bothered RMA'ing it (eVGA offered for free to replace those boards). My current e6850 runs like a dream on that board.

I have 4 GIGs of RAM (4 x1024 crucial ballistix PC2-6400 4-4-4-12) and an eVGA 8800GTX.

From day one I've used a Tunic Tower. It was tight to get it in there but honestly there is quite a bit of space. The system runs very cool.

I overclock my current e685 to around 3500 mhz from its original 3000mhz with very little extra juice.

Good onboard sound if that is your route.

Some folks have reported issues with SATA drives or RAID. I have used a combination of IDE and SATA drives but no RAID but I have had NO issues whatsoever.

I love running my DDR2 ram at whatever speed I want instead at being locked onto certain dividers.

The board is well laid out. It's easy to work with (well at least for me) and once you get to know the BIOS, I think it's very simple and clear. In fact probably one of the better ones.

On a side note from what many have said there is no use for you in getting a 680i mobo unless for sure without a doubt you are going SLI. I believe from what I have read and from many others that getting a P35 chipset board would be the better route (those with DDR2). Genenrally they tend to be faster and overclock better than the older 965 or 680i. ALso you do pay a bit more still for the 680i boards.

As for eVGA... I love them. If you get the retail mobo (if you do insist on going for 680i) they give you a life time warranty. I have NEVER had any issues in RMA'ing anything to them. I have also noted that whenever a BIOS update is released, the eVGA site has it up usually earlier than anyone else.

Good luck.

 

[TC91]

if u wanted to save a little money you could go with the evga or the xfx 680i lt motherboard... you bacially lose the 3rd pci-express slot (8x, supposedly for physics cards; but i don't think u would use it anyways) and the 2nd gigabit lan, but overall they are very similar, as u still get 2 full 16x pci-express slots. the ability to unlink memory is also very useful like BoboKatt said.