Need a mobo for an ATI X1900XT

[spyd3rgt]

I'm building a new system and have pretty much decided on the X1900XT gpu. Now, I'm just having a hard time deciding on a mobo to go with it. The Asus A8N32-SLI is nice, but seems like a waste since I'm running ATI graphics. The A8R32-MVP seems comparable, but I'm hearing that there are stability issues? I would like to run Crossfire some time down the road. Are there any other good ATI mobo suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[atybimf]

The best Crossfire mobo imo is the DFI Lanparty UT CFX3200-DR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136009

 

[Heidfirst]

All the RD580 mobos currently have issues going by various forums.
These are almost certainly BIOS related though & so should be worked out over time (also more likey to affect overclockers).

 

[spyd3rgt]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
All the RD580 mobos currently have issues going by various forums.
These are almost certainly BIOS related though & so should be worked out over time (also more likey to affect overclockers).

I take it the A8R32-MVP is a RD580 mobo? Maybe it should be noted that I have no plans to do any overclocking, so maybe the A8R32 would work out for me?

 

[atybimf]

Originally posted by: spyd3rgt

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
All the RD580 mobos currently have issues going by various forums.
These are almost certainly BIOS related though & so should be worked out over time (also more likey to affect overclockers).

I take it the A8R32-MVP is a RD580 mobo? Maybe it should be noted that I have no plans to do any overclocking, so maybe the A8R32 would work out for me?

Sorry, I guess I just assumed you were an overclocker. Since you're not, throw out my DFI suggestion.

 

[Aries64]

Originally posted by: spyd3rgt

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
All the RD580 mobos currently have issues going by various forums.
These are almost certainly BIOS related though & so should be worked out over time (also more likey to affect overclockers).

I take it the A8R32-MVP is a RD580 mobo? Maybe it should be noted that I have no plans to do any overclocking, so maybe the A8R32 would work out for me?

Yes, the (ASUS) A8R32-MVP Deluxe (what a lame name!) is RD580-based. I don't OC either, which is one reason I buy high-end parts. I am guaranteed the speed I deem appropriate. I am more interested in stability. The A8R32-MVP is great for this. There are, however still lots of BIOS tweaks for memory, HT options, Drive Strength, ect that you can set for optimal performance without being an overclocker.

The board also has a nice layout, with plenty of space between the two PCI-E graphics slots for the dual-slot X1900-Series cards. The only real bummer is that you lose use of the only 1X PCI-E slot as soon as you install a PCI-E graphics card in the Primary (blue) slot. On the earlier RD480-based ASUS A8R-MVP you only lost the 1X PCI-E slot when running Crossfire, as the 1X PCI-E slot is located between the two PCI-E graphics slots.

But the good news is that since the A8R32-MVP has the Primary (blue) PCI-E graphics located on the top, if you are running a single graphics card there is lots of room between the graphics card and the first 32-bit PCI card in your system.

Over the years I've used motherboards from Micronics, American Megatrends, ASUS, and MSI. The build-quality on the A8R32-MVP appears to very high.

If you look at my sig at the bottom of my post you will see my full system specs which include the A8R32-MVP and a VisionTek X1900XTX. My system runs great. Just to be on the safe side I would update to the latest BIOS revision (currently 0311 as I type this) as it is well-documented that the shipping BIOS (0201) has lag problems with certain games such as BF2.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: spyd3rgt
I take it the A8R32-MVP is a RD580 mobo? Maybe it should be noted that I have no plans to do any overclocking, so maybe the A8R32 would work out for me?

yup.
There's a guy on OcUK who has both the Asus & Abit & seems to give the nod to the Abit over the Asus but only by a very little.
I would look at features that you need & price.

 

[spyd3rgt]

Originally posted by: Aries64

Originally posted by: spyd3rgt

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
All the RD580 mobos currently have issues going by various forums.
These are almost certainly BIOS related though & so should be worked out over time (also more likey to affect overclockers).

I take it the A8R32-MVP is a RD580 mobo? Maybe it should be noted that I have no plans to do any overclocking, so maybe the A8R32 would work out for me?

Yes, the (ASUS) A8R32-MVP Deluxe (what a lame name!) is RD580-based. I don't OC either, which is one reason I buy high-end parts. I am guaranteed the speed I deem appropriate. I am more interested in stability. The A8R32-MVP is great for this. There are, however still lots of BIOS tweaks for memory, HT options, Drive Strength, ect that you can set for optimal performance without being an overclocker.

The board also has a nice layout, with plenty of space between the two PCI-E graphics slots for the dual-slot X1900-Series cards. The only real bummer is that you lose use of the only 1X PCI-E slot as soon as you install a PCI-E graphics card in the Primary (blue) slot. On the earlier RD480-based ASUS A8R-MVP you only lost the 1X PCI-E slot when running Crossfire, as the 1X PCI-E slot is located between the two PCI-E graphics slots.

But the good news is that since the A8R32-MVP has the Primary (blue) PCI-E graphics located on the top, if you are running a single graphics card there is lots of room between the graphics card and the first 32-bit PCI card in your system.

Over the years I've used motherboards from Micronics, American Megatrends, ASUS, and MSI. The build-quality on the A8R32-MVP appears to very high.

If you look at my sig at the bottom of my post you will see my full system specs which include the A8R32-MVP and a VisionTek X1900XTX. My system runs great. Just to be on the safe side I would update to the latest BIOS revision (currently 0311 as I type this) as it is well-documented that the shipping BIOS (0201) has lag problems with certain games such as BF2.

Thanks for the response. Your views on stability are exactly how I feel. I just want a nice, fast, stable set up, hehe. Losing the 1x PCI-E slot sucks, but I'm not sure what one might even use that slot for...