**Update** $132 P4-1.6a (shipped) @ Newegg and Mainboard comparision to go with.

[Bob151]

which of these motherboards is this?

http://usa.asus.com/download/manual/mb-man-other.htm

I would like to read about it, is it the P4B266, P4B266-C, P4B266-M, P4B266-SE, etc.......

I haven't found a manufacturer's part number to product reference table.

 

[Vegito]

It say manufacture part # P4B266PAW/USB2.

thats USB 2 !

Cheap one doesn't have USB 2 !

 

[Hanpan]

Just got my order in but the rep said they are already backordered by over 600 and not to expect to get one anytime soon. I may cancel but I wanna see how this pans out..

 

[kevman]

Does anyone know what kind of memory I'm supposed to use with thie mainboard so that I can utilize all three slots?

Also would like it to be overclockable.

 

[BigJ]

To utilize all three slots, I guess you'd have to send the companies an email and find out. Crucial, Muskin, and Corsair should be able to tell you fairly quickly if you call/send them an email, but I dont know about the other manufacturers. Also, I think they're trying to slowly phase out single sided memory, so if the 3 ram slots is a main selling point to you, you might wanna try staying away from it until you get ur hands on some single sided DDR.

 

[kevman]

Also, the ASUS mainboard's model number is not really listed on CDW's site, is there a a way to confirm that this is in fact the P4b266???


EDIT: Just saw the part number, and ordered the mobo. Hopefully this works. Anyoen get it yet to confirm that this is in fact the right motherboard?

 

[kevman]

<< To utilize all three slots, I guess you'd have to send the companies an email and find out. Crucial, Muskin, and Corsair should be able to tell you fairly quickly if you call/send them an email, but I dont know about the other manufacturers. Also, I think they're trying to slowly phase out single sided memory, so if the 3 ram slots is a main selling point to you, you might wanna try staying away from it until you get ur hands on some single sided DDR. >>



If I chose to only use 2 slots it should be a big deal right? I should be able to use any DDR chips but only two, right?

 

[Steve0]

CSR at CDW says they don't sell OEM product, and that this is the retail board. I'm number 71 on the backorder list--I ordered one unit--and he said they were expecting 31 units today (by 3:00, they hadn't arrived yet). He said they would fill as many orders as they can with those 31...which means orders for single units should be filled first. He says there is no ETA info for any more P4B266's coming in. So...the Ferengi effect may work against some ATers here. I've got my fingers crossed.

Steve

 

[BigJ]

<<

<< To utilize all three slots, I guess you'd have to send the companies an email and find out. Crucial, Muskin, and Corsair should be able to tell you fairly quickly if you call/send them an email, but I dont know about the other manufacturers. Also, I think they're trying to slowly phase out single sided memory, so if the 3 ram slots is a main selling point to you, you might wanna try staying away from it until you get ur hands on some single sided DDR. >>



If I chose to only use 2 slots it should be a big deal right? I should be able to use any DDR chips but only two, right? >>



There should be no problem at all. Crucial and Muskin memory have been both tested their memory to work on the mobo (Mushkin even makes note of the possible conflict in using 3 ram slots when u check the compatibility charts). I picked up two Muskin Basic 512mb sticks from their site for $120 shipped each and I'm using them right now at 140mhz Cas 2.5 with Turbo settings, and I'm going to put those in the Asus Mobo from CDW that everyone's been ordering.

 

[LukFilm]

<<

<< To utilize all three slots, I guess you'd have to send the companies an email and find out. Crucial, Muskin, and Corsair should be able to tell you fairly quickly if you call/send them an email, but I dont know about the other manufacturers. Also, I think they're trying to slowly phase out single sided memory, so if the 3 ram slots is a main selling point to you, you might wanna try staying away from it until you get ur hands on some single sided DDR. >>



If I chose to only use 2 slots it should be a big deal right? I should be able to use any DDR chips but only two, right? >>



Right.

 

[dude]

I believe you want to get registered dimms if you're gonna use all three slots. This is for more of a stability issue.

 

[BigJ]

To go over the idea of populating all 3 ddr slots again, here is a direct rip from Firingsquad.com 's review of the Asus PB4266 motherboard :



<< Three DIMM Sockets
While the P4B266 features three DIMM sockets and boasts support for up to 2GB of memory, keep in mind that the 845 chipset only provides full support for up to two banks of memory. Therefore, if an end user wishes to take advantage of all three DIMM sockets present on the P4B266, you'll have to use single-sided memory modules on DIMM sockets two and three. While you can install a double-sided module in DIMM1, DIMMs two and three share the same row, so if you install a double-sided module in DIMM2, DIMM3 cannot be used (and vice versa).
With single-sided memory modules being phased out of production, filling all three sockets will be difficult. Most users will probably opt for expensive 1GB memory modules if they wish to take advantage of the 2GB supported by the P4B266. >>



Also,


<< I believe you want to get registered dimms if you're gonna use all three slots. This is for more of a stability issue. >>



I'm not exactly sure about registered sticks of ram. I always thought the main purpose in using Registered DIMMS is its better for moving large amounts of information (as in servers). I once heard the analogy the registers in Registered memory act similar to power steering in a truck.

 

[mrVW]

--- The RAM Question ---

I just happend to build a system with this motherboard last week, so I can tell you my story.

Don't assume you can use all three DDR slots. Once you open the manual you will find that it supports only 4 "banks" of memory. Each double-sided DIMM counts at 2 banks.

In my case, I purchased 3 Kingston ValueRAM PC2100 512MB modules (retail package, non-ECC). Because they were double-sided, only two are supported, in the first two slots. 1GB max. The system would not even turn on with the third module installed.

I have not found any source for affordable "single sided 512MB DDR PC2100" chips - all the ones Crucial, Kingston, etc. sell in the under $200 price range are DOUBLE SIDED.

As I understand it, most common 256MB modules - same story.

So unless you are CERTAIN you are getting single-sided modules, assume you can only use TWO slots. Given that 512MB modules are selling for $130 - $150 range, and 1GB modules are in the $550 range -- that means for most of us the board has a maximum of 1GB.

ALSO: The descriptions do NOT say registered is supported, stick with unbuffered! ECC is supported (as is non-ECC).

Nice board, I just ordered two more at the $80 price.

Hope this helps.

 

[golfreak]

UPDATE: Let me give you guys the latest scoop on the Asus MB

Some CDW REP called me just now and said they the MB was discontinued and they won't be fullfiling any more orders.
I knew it was coming so I basically asked him am I getting my orders or not.(remembered I ordered mine at 8:00am this morning before the Ferangis came out).
He told me no because they manufacturer discontinued the item.
And he would offer something else for me but not anything else close to $80.
The REP sounded pretty nice so I basically gave me the 411.

I said LOOK, I know whats going on. You guys got overwhelmed by all the orders because you made a pricing mistake.
He said NO, sticking to his story of DISCONTINUED.
I said listen man, Asus just came out with this MB so they are not discontinueing it.
You guys screwed up !!!
I didn't want to argue with him so I said FINE, cancel my order.

I knew if I didn't cancel my order, they can just BACK-ORDERED my stuff forever so I might as well give up.

For those who are willing to fight for it, they might honor it, who knows.
For me, wasn't worth it although I was one of the first to order.

I was hoping a day would pass(and my order fullfiled) before the Ferangis come out but TOO LATE.

Good luck to some of you.

 

[roamerr]

I called CDW out of curiosity after placing my order at 5:30 PM EST. I am 651 on the backorder list. The motherboard was below cost; his comment was "how did you get it below cost"? I was told "do not expect to get it". I guess I will wait and see. Like always -- I should have ordered last night.

You wait; you lose!

 

[mrVW]

This IS a pricing mistake, these boards are NEW TO MARKET and everyone is selling them for $155 - the cost of them is at least $120...

Alternate: Get the Asus P4S333 board from mwave.com for $107.00 - from all the discussion on Google Groups (usenet), the SIS chipset is just as good as the Intel chipset. I don't think you get the USB 2.0, but the memory is more flexible on the P4S333 board...

MWave had bundles that allow you to get a better deal by getting the CPU and board together (RAM if you want too). Their shipping is also very reasonable...

 

[Pliablemoose]

#130 on backorder list

 

[Dug]

They've updated their site to say that this is not available for order online and to please call.

Looks like we'll be getting our walking papers soon.

 

[kevman]

price is no longre in te website. AT effect strikes again....well, i gues s the quicker you are the luckier you are.

 

[Uclagamer_99]

the fact that this thing was on techbargains before anandtech doesn't bode well for any of us

i ordered sunday night when this thing was first posted...and i called the place today and they said shipments didn't come in today and they are expecting them on wednesday...so if any of us get lucky don't expect the mobo till the end of the week

 

[F155mph]

I ordered two earlier today. The CDW rep called and confirm my order. Then a few minute ago he called back and told me they screw up and the price really $161. So I guess I am not getting mine. Good Luck to you all!!!

 

[Uclagamer_99]

hmmm when did you guys order it (the ones who are getting theirs cancelled) orders cancelled

 

[w9design]

I'm confused -- there's quite a bit of conflicting information going around here.

- I was told the board was likely OEM by the CSR I called.
- Steve0 was told that CDW sold only retail product.

- Some have been told that none will be shipped.
- Some have been told that it will take a long time for theirs to be shipped.
- One has been told that the cost is different.
- One has been told that 31 will ship.
- One has been told that it's discontinued.

Well? which is it?

For the record, I ordered at about 11AM EST (8AM EST). I haven't gotten a confirmation call -- or any call at all. Just an e-mail confirmation from CDW and a confirmation from my rep.

 

[kevman]

Anybody know how good the Asus P4B266-C would work with this Chip? It's still at Newegg for $117 which doesn't seem to bad, $157 + $117 = $274 + shipping for the combo. IF you can still overclock on the P4B266-C then I still think this is a decent deal. Anyone?

 

[golfreak]

P4B266-C is like the bare version(without the USB 2.0 and such) of the ones at CDW.
Its pretty much the same board so you'll get the same results.

Look, the bottom line is that they screwed up and all the REPs are coming up with whatever story they can come up with to cover their butts. Ten people will probably get ten different stories.
Chances are you'll not going to get one. Conisdered yourself very lucky if you get one.

Moral of every pricing mistake is to buy some for yourself, wait a week before letting the Ferangis in on the deal