nForce2 vs. KM400A

[Cirruslvr]

Ok, so these chipsets are very old, but I need something simple for a Socket A SFF computer.

Basically, is the nForce2 worth $50 more than the km400m? This isn't for a high performance computer and I'll be using an external video card.

It seems the nForce2 advantages are nVidia's sound, the DASP thing and dual channel RAM (which isn't useful w/external video card).

 

[dartworth]

I'd go nF2 just for the sound...

 

[Cirruslvr]

guess there's not much of a difference...

 

[coolred]

The nForce 2 is a better more feature rich and speedy chipset. Its up to you though if its worth the extra cost.

First off, why do you say dual channel ram isn't useful with an external video card? By external I assume you mean an AGP add in card as opposed to the nVidia IGP onboard the chipset. But I am not sure what your saying about the ram. Dual channel ram should not differ if you are using onboard or an add in graphics card.


Is a few percentage points of extra speed worth the extra cost, are the extra features worth the extra cost? Thats for you to decide. What do you plan to use this computer for?

 

[Cirruslvr]

I'll be using this primarily for browsing but I play Unreal Tournament 2004 occasionally.

According to the Anandtech review, the nForce2 doesn't give much of a performance boost with DualDDR versus single when the integrated video card isn't used, except in Specviewperf. Given that that Spec is bandwidth intensive it benefits from the extra bandwidth. And since the reveiw is from over 2 years ago and games are likely to have become more bandwidth intensive maybe it will provide a boost more than almost zero but less than what they got in Specviewperf.

"The nForce2 chipset behaves relatively similarly; if you look in most applications, the benefit from going to 128-bit DDR mode (DualDDR) is under 3% - less than the normal variance in these benchmarks. Unlike the original nForce however, there are some exceptions to the rule with nForce2."

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...oc.aspx?i=1731&p=2

I just don't know much about the KM400A chipset. I didn't find anything on Anandtech about it...

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Cirruslvr
Ok, so these chipsets are very old, but I need something simple for a Socket A SFF computer.

Basically, is the nForce2 worth $50 more than the km400m? This isn't for a high performance computer and I'll be using an external video card.

The Shuttle SN45GV2 has excellent overclocking options and ranges in addition to full Soundstorm functionality. I ran a Barton@2.43ghz in the original SN45G back in a day that was used primarily for HT, and I was very pleased with it. I just couldn't see keeping it for HTPC purposes once I had a modded xbox and DVR.

 

[formulav8]

There are certain things that Dual Channel DDR really helps with. Some benches give up to 16%!! increase in performance with Dual Channel over Single Channel.



Jason

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: formulav8
There are certain things that Dual Channel DDR really helps with. Some benches give up to 16%!! increase in performance with Dual Channel over Single Channel.



Jason

The thing you forget to take into account is that for what he's using it for, it won't help. Simply because it helped in some CAD benchmark doesn't mean he'll be doing it.

Personally, I only look at the benchmarks that apply to the stuff I do. (General, Office, Apps, Games).

Synthetic stuff (3dmark, SuperPi, Sandra, etc) I don't even look at the pages very often.

 

[Cirruslvr]

Thanks for the inputs.

I may just try out a mac mini first before i try the SFF computer. First time i'd be giving Mac a chance...

 

[Zepper]

The KM400 isn't that old... If you can find one with a Via or ADI CODEC the sound will be excellent. The integrated video won't be up to the nF2, but you can easily add-on a video card if needed. I like Via because the drivers are more stable now than with any nF chipset. I've used five different Via Socket-A chipsets (KT-266a, KM-266, KT-600, KM-400 and the latest KT-880) over the last couple of years and all have been rock solid. I really like the sound on the Abit VA-10 (100% Via) - if they retained the 100% Via sound on the Abit VA-20 then it should be equally good and the SATA support is nice for a cramped case.
Also be sure the mobo you choose has the P4-12V (4-pin square) connector as it evens the PSU load considerably and allows for using the lower-powered PSUs typical of the small form factor cases.
.bh.