DFI LanParty UT Ultra-D vs. ABIT AN8 Ultra v2.0

[spooons]

I have been out of the hardware game for almost 3 years *GASP* and so much has changed.

For the new system I want to build I have narrowed my MB down to the DFI LanParty UT Ultra-D and ABIT AN8 Ultra v2.0.

What are your comments on these? Which do YOU preffer? Why?

Ive been reading a lot of forums posts and have a lot of information, but now I want some thoughts directly related in a comparison of the two. Or hey, if you know of a board that is an 'equal' (price/features range) to these two, but you may preffer better, let me know!

 

[Fresh Daemon]

I like the DFI. More overclockable, more options than any other, can be very easily modded to SLI, etc. Picky about RAM and needs a beefy PSU, though.

Also consider the EPoX 9NPA+. Also very overclockable, not as many options as the DFI but not as picky either.

 

[spooons]

I read something about the ram oddities and beefy PSU.

What types of memory are PERFECT for this box? Say I wanted anywhere from 1GB to 2GB. Ill go reading through the *OFFICIAL* thread some more.

Also, thank you for mentioning that EPoX. My current board is an epox, running my pathetic XP 2200.

So now my choices include the epox (after looking it over). I am still leaning towards the DFI, even with its quirks, just becuase it looks cool and has a large user base that reccomends it.

Also, i should mention I have decided on the Athlon 64 3500+ (which i _WILL_ overclock... another reason Im leaning towards the DFI).

 

[ElTorrente]

Get the DFI- you won't regret it.

I am on one now- switched from an ASUS a8n-sli premium- and couldn't be happier.

They told me to watch out for Corsair RAM with my DFI, but I didn't believe all the hype- and am running my 2gb Corsair very fast with great timings- no issues at all.

Every aspect of this board is high quality. All the little capaciters and components are just.. beefy. 🙂 This board is fast, stable, and has tons of support available out there on the internet.

I ran PCMark05 last night, and got the 5th fastest time ever recorded for an X2 on Futuremark's website - so this thing performs nicely. 🙂

 

[Fresh Daemon]

The good thing about the DFI board is that probably over 75% of computer enthusiasts (at least, those with the latest hardware) seem to have one. So there's plenty of support in online forums, plus DFI's own forum, which is great.

For RAM, just get OCZ. It works, it's well-priced, and it comes in all ranges and speeds from value RAM to low-latency and massive-FSB. Definitely avoid Corsair. If you do want to get another brand of RAM - say you can get a great deal somewhere - ask on DFI-Street first and see if anyone else has tried it and what they got out of it.

I recommend an Enermax PSU. You can get them very cheaply if you shop around, get one with plenty of amps and that's 24-pin native. They are really good PSU's. OCZ, PCP&C, Seasonic etc. are other very good choices, but tend to be more expensive.

Every aspect of this board is high quality. All the little capaciters and components are just.. beefy.

Yup. They put heatsinks on all the MOSFETs for you from the factory. All the capacitors are made in Japan (no leaky Taiwanese models here). They give you loads of extra bits in the box. It's nice. Buy it. I did.

 

[spooons]

This would be my pick for memory then, running Dual Channel (whats a few dollars for ~10% increase? Plus, it sounds cool when you tell people you have dual channel memory 😛 )

OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR400 (PC3200)

I know i can get that cheaper if I dont get pltinum, but eh, sometimes you have a preference.

 

[Fresh Daemon]

OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR400 (PC3200)

I know i can get that cheaper if I dont get pltinum, but eh, sometimes you have a preference.

Read Zebo's memory guide. Then ask yourself if that money put towards Platinum RAM for an extra 2-3% performance can't be better spent on a video card, or a hard drive, or 2GB of RAM instead of 1GB (pretty much necessary for BF2, FEAR, and a lot of MMORPG's), and so on.

If you have money to burn, go for it. But my advice is that on any kind of budget limit, money spent on premium RAM is better spent elsewhere.

 

[spooons]

And after looking at it, i decided that it WAS a waste and have decided to get a different, cheaper, model.

 

[Fresh Daemon]

Good job! Let us know how the build goes.

 

[Muscles]

Anyone know if Mushkin works on the DFI board? This ram specifically:
mushkin eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 466 (PC 3700) Dual Channel Kit

 

[ChiPCGuy]

RAM: I always use OCZ Plat Rev. 2 PC3200. Even on budget builds. I have had too much trouble with everything else.

PSU: Two brands--Enermax or OCZ. Nuff said. On the OCZ side, the PowerStream is the one you want. On the Enermax side, one of the higher end dual rail ATX 12v v.2 Active PFC models are VERY nice (the Noisetaker AX series).

As for your mobo, I suggest the EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra for your overclocking needs. Although I hear DFI makes good boards, my understanding is that they are uber-picky and definitely not for those without a LOT of build experience under their belts. I never use DFI, though. Last time I test them, I could never get a DFI board to pass the level of stress testing I will put a PC through. I want SERVER STYLE stability. DFI has never made it to that bar.