• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

UPDATED !!! Help need on MOBO decision PLEASE !!! UPDATED

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: shoRunner
why are you getting the sli board without an sli card?
Click to expand...

Sho, IF I buy the ASUS A8N-SLI board (knowing I do not intend to use the SLI) it is ONLY because the Asus A8N-E board does not have any onboard firewire and I am hesitant to purchase a board lacking this feature even though I could use an add-on PCI/Firewire card if needed. The A8N-SLI boards (standard and Deluxe) both have onboard firewire.

I guess I could have made this post shorter by just saying that the cost difference between the Asus A8N-E (non firewire, non SLI) board and the Asus A8N-SLI (firewire, SLI) board is equal to the $20 it would cost me to by a cheap PCI/Firewire add-on card so why not just pay the extra $20 for the SLI Asus and have it as an option if I morph into the gamer from he** ??? LOL 😉
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Chaintech is a good budget NF4 ultra board from what I understand.
Click to expand...

Horrible choice. The Epox EP-9NPA+ Ultra motherboard has a much better layout, better overall design and better documentation for almost an equal price. Plus the Chaintech lacks any firewire support which you want as stated in your OP.

Yes I see you ruled the EP-9NPA+ Ultra out, but it is widely considered a great board. Very quick, great features. It won't be a big issue.

Since you probably won't get the EP-9NPA+ Ultra, MSI K8N Neo4 Ultra is most likely your next best bet, it is plenty fast and has all the goodies you would want. If you're a over clocker, consider the DFI lanparty ut ultra also. But stay away from SLI, its a total waste of money that doesn't justify the cost. The best bet is to get a Radeon X800XL at the moment if you want something that doesn't cost too much and is blazingly fast.

Keep in mind that you could modify the board to an SLI setup in the future should your needs of a SLI arise.
 
Originally posted by: ribbon13
That ram is fine.

Chaintech is alright. Make sure to update the BIOS as soon as you get it though.

Asus has slipped down a little, but most of the issues with the A8N-SLI are PEBKACs

If you can get away with a single HDTV tuner and a Soundcard, I'd still ay DFI.

The MSI non-ultra looks nice as well.
Click to expand...

Ribbon:

Even though some people have been recommending the Chaintech I just can't see myself buying a Chaintech product with confidence. I'm sorry to hear Asus has slipped in quality ! :disgust:

As far as DFI is concerned, if I could get away with just having 2 PCI slots you think that the DFI LANPARTY UT Ultra-D board is a good option apparently. I thought their boards were geared towards the overclockers and gaming enthusiasts? I've also heard their boards are RAM picky. Do they just make a darn good board, period???

The price looks good to me on the non-Ultra MSI, I will say that !!! :thumbsup:

Thanks for responding to my thread.

Greg

 
Originally posted by: Rike
...I can't speak for other people, but Asus has not let me down yet. Just remember that for every negitive post about someone's bad experience, dozens of others have no problems at all. My SLI board was no more difficult to set up than any other build I've had and the two Asus 939 mobos should be the same for set up.

The the RAM you have will be fine with the Asus board; it's the same stuff I have. My only disappointment with that RAM is that I was hoping it would OC better.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for responding RIKE; I think I'm getting closer to a decision and I'm leaning towards the ASUS, the Gigabyte or MAYBE the MSI Ultra board.

I guess I'm not any closer to a decision after all, lol.

I'm glad you like the Patriot RAM but sorry it doesn't fulfill your oc'ing needs. Since I don't do oc'ing it should hopefully work well for me.

Thanks again for your input,

Greg

 
Originally posted by: Away
Go with the budget MSI. I have dealt with several of there non-platinum boards and they all work great. They usually just sacrifice minor things like firewire. Other than that, they perform equally.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input Away. I've had a lot of people say "go with the MSI" so they must be really popular boards here at Anandtech.


 
Originally posted by: raildogg
...Since you probably won't get the EP-9NPA+ Ultra, MSI K8N Neo4 Ultra is most likely your next best bet, it is plenty fast and has all the goodies you would want. If you're a over clocker, consider the DFI lanparty ut ultra also. But stay away from SLI, its a total waste of money that doesn't justify the cost. The best bet is to get a Radeon X800XL at the moment if you want something that doesn't cost too much and is blazingly fast.

Keep in mind that you could modify the board to an SLI setup in the future should your needs of a SLI arise.
Click to expand...

Thanks raildogg:

I read that the nforce4 ultra chip could be "modded" to run SLI with the two PCI-E X16 slots on the DFI LANPARTY UD-Ultra D but that nVidia was planning on foiling that by making a change in the non-sli chip. I also read that only a select set of nvidia drivers will work with the modded non-sli chips! I read that over here in this February 2005 article here at AnandTech !!!

Thanks for you thoughts!!!

 
Fisher999, when you do finally choose a mobo, you should seriously consider buying a pretested setup from Monarch Computer

They have good prices and service and having the pretested setup will greatly reduce your chances of having a DOA mobo, no matter which brand you choose.
 
Originally posted by: Rike
Fisher999, when you do finally choose a mobo, you should seriously consider buying a pretested setup from Monarch Computer

They have good prices and service and having the pretested setup will greatly reduce your chances of having a DOA mobo, no matter which brand you choose.
Click to expand...


Now THERES an EXCELLENT idea Rike :thumbsup: I will defineately check out the pre-built systems at Monarch.

Thanks !!! 😀
 
Originally posted by: Fisher999
Originally posted by: Rike
Fisher999, when you do finally choose a mobo, you should seriously consider buying a pretested setup from Monarch Computer

They have good prices and service and having the pretested setup will greatly reduce your chances of having a DOA mobo, no matter which brand you choose.
Click to expand...


Now THERES an EXCELLENT idea Rike :thumbsup: I will defineately check out the pre-built systems at Monarch.

Thanks !!! 😀
Click to expand...
Not prebuilt, just pretested. You buy a mobo, processor, and heatsink (if your proc is not a PIB). Monarch then stress tests it for 24 hours with working RAM and vid card. They then take out the RAM and the vid card and ship you your mobo, proc, and heatsink assembled. Then all you need to do is slap it in your case and you're good to go. The likely hood of something going wrong with your mobo after 24 hours of stress testing are very, very, low. I've used this service before and it's quiet seamless.
 
You won't go wrong with the A8N-SLI -- had it running stably for almost 5 months, FSB mildly OCd to 233MHz, with nary an issue.

Most of the alleged problems with ASUS turns out to be caused by new users errors and their panicking afterward.
 
their is no denying Asus' quality and support. Abit is the second best. If youve got the cash, go with the Asus A8N SLI Deluxe. Its solid
 
Originally posted by: Promethply
You won't go wrong with the A8N-SLI -- had it running stably for almost 5 months, FSB mildly OCd to 233MHz, with nary an issue.

Most of the alleged problems with ASUS turns out to be caused by new users errors and their panicking afterward.
Click to expand...

Promethply:

Thank you and i'm glad you're having a good experience with your Asus board. I've always had good luck with ASUS in the past.

Greg
 
Originally posted by: newmenu
their is no denying Asus' quality and support. Abit is the second best. If youve got the cash, go with the Asus A8N SLI Deluxe. Its solid
Click to expand...

newmenu:

Thanks for your input !

Greg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top