Debating A7N8x or P4PE,Debate Over P4PE for ME

[Sharpedge]

Reading the threads here and at Asus boards I get the impression that the nforce2 is a less problem plagued chipset then the PE. I have been considering the PE but more and more the positive results turn me around and point me in the nforce direction.

Am I missing something or is it a case of 90% of the users are having success and only the 10% that are not are posting?

My intended use is for office apps, gaming (online and at home sometimes extreme with all the goodies turned on),some photo editing.

Processor would be P4 2.4 or XP2400
512 ram Corsair PC 3200 most likely

Thank you for your input.

 

[Vette73]

I would get the nForce2.

Several reasons why but some major ones for me would be, great on-board sound, ethernet nic, and support for the Bartons when they come out.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Both are sweet setups and will provide great performance and features, the P4 has a slight advantage in heat output and the IHS keeps ya from crushin' da core if you pooch the HS/F mounting and the retail HS/F is plenty even for most overclocking but if you're experienced with AMD installs and have a good copper based cooler for the T-Bred there's no real issue. If you have no brand preference maybe you can add a poll and go with the majority vote or just flip a coin

 

[leinadM]

After all the good that I've heard about the nForce2, I'd get that I have one on the way...I hope it gets here soon.

 

[Sharpedge]

Thank you all for your input, appreciate any other thoughts as always.

Dapunisher

I have read your thread about the P4 and your success, which does give me confidence that it would be a good build. But reviewing Thugs about the BE7 does linger some concerns.

As you say the flip of a coin may be the best answer since both are close to giving similar performance.

 

[nRollo]

I've had no problems whatsoever with my Asus P4PE in the time I've had it.
As far as sound goes:
http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/p4pe/page2.asp
"In the 845PE preview, we mentioned how we were huge fans of Analog Devices SoundMAX audio, so we were thrilled to see their 1980 CODEC present on the P4PE. One upcoming game title that weve witnessed taking advantage of Analog Devices SPX technology is Planetside, and we wouldnt be surprised if more game developers have jumped onboard since we last met with Analog Devices last year. SoundMAX audio erases all the preconceptions weve held towards previous audio solutions that were offered in the past on motherboards. Its audio quality definitely rivals that of todays discrete sound cards from the likes of Creative Labs."

nForce2s may have support for upcoming Bartons, but PEs have support for future P4s/hyperthreading, which isn't bad either. PEs have nics also.

Where have you seen that PEs are "problem plagued"?

http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/p4pe/page13.asp
" the 845PE chipset is in our opinion, the best DDR platform currently available for the Pentium 4"

http://www.explosivelabs.com/reviews/asus_p4pe/pg4.shtml
"In all my stability tests this board never wavered."

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzY3LDU=
"The board was extremely solid, performed extremely well and I have no problems with recommending it"

http://www.digital-daily.com/motherboard/asus-p4pe/index05.htm
"high operational stability, excellent performance and superb overclocking options"

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/motherboards/article.php/10703_1478151__10
"very impressive products in terms of performance and stability."

Good luck with your choice, I doubt you can go far wrong either way.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Sharpedge
Thank you all for your input, appreciate any other thoughts as always.

Dapunisher

I have read your thread about the P4 and your success, which does give me confidence that it would be a good build. But reviewing Thugs about the BE7 does linger some concerns.

As you say the flip of a coin may be the best answer since both are close to giving similar performance.

which board won the toss?

 

[Sharpedge]

The winner after the toss (further reviewing actually) was the ASUS P4PE. Now I am trying to decide which of the three flavors. Since firewire may be something I would use in the future i am thinking on going with the P4PE/R/L/F/SATA definitely can use the lan, raid is the only unlikely candidate for my use, unless you can add additional hard drives in non-raid, but i believe i read its just for raid setup. Is that correct?

Thank you all for your assistance in helping me make my choice.

Also will get the P4 2.4b, and CMX512-3200C2 (this is cas 2 )

 

[oldfart]

The winner after the toss (further reviewing actually) was the ASUS P4PE
Also will get the P4 2.4b, and CMX512-3200C2 (this is cas 2 )

Well done.

 

[Sharpedge]

I can now say it is on its way.

Thank you all again.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Good mobo

 

[Sharpedge]

While I await the FEDX guy in a couple of days for my new rig I have begun searching for set up information. I posted over at Asusboards.com and have gotten this so far from a thread there and my own question.

Here is the installation advice that I was given:
1) Latest BIOS - but make sure you reset to defaults or clear the CMOS before doing anything else!
2) BIOS settings
3) Partition HDD
4) Format HDD
5) Install O/S - SP1 slipstream is the cleanest way IMO. I recommend NTFS
6) Install latest Intel INF Utility (verison 4.10.1012) then reboot
7) Install latest Intel Application Accelerator (version 2.3) then reboot
8) Install video/sound/LAN drivers rebooting between each individual driver
9) Install all Critical Windows Updates and reboot
10) Install applications and games

To item number one I was strongly suggested to leave the BIOS alone instead of automatically updating before any use, so I will not do that one. Also before any attemp to overclock, set it up at default setting in the BIOS.

Does the order seem good, except as I have noted?

Are there any BIOS settings even at default that although I have built several systems could trip me up?

Thanks again

 

[SFang]

Guess it is too late for me to say anything right now. But the i845PE motherboards have the infamouse COLD BOOT problems, Check this thread, also a similar thread on Asusboards.com. Hope you are lucky.

 

[Sharpedge]

SFang

I appreciate your concern as it is still lingering in the back of my mind too. But even so the board and the components are on there way. I will let everyone know how it goes for those like me trying decide between these two boards.

Anything in doing the setup that would help please don't hesitate to let me know. With each new build knowledge is learned and I have you my fellow anand tech's to thank.

Sharpedge

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: SFang
Guess it is too late for me to say anything right now. But the i845PE motherboards have the infamouse COLD BOOT problems, Check this thread, also a similar thread on Asusboards.com. Hope you are lucky.

I must be lucky - never have had the slightest hint of a "cold boot" or any other problem with my P4PE/SATA/LAN/1394/Audio mobo. It has performed flawlessly since I finished it last month - it has yet to crash or lock up for any reason.

 

[Sharpedge]

corky-g

That is the same one I have on order, hoping to achieve positive success. Thank you for your encouragement.