What are the differences between EPoX 8RDA and 8RDA+?

[MarkHark]

Is it just that little integrated LAN connector or there are other important differences that make up for the ~20 dollar price premimum of the 8RDA+? The 8RDA can be had for 80+ dollars, while the 8RDA+ is priced at about 105.

Do both of them clock similarly? What about those nice features like AGP/PCI clock lock, auto multiplier unlocking on all Tbreds, etc. that make the 8RDA+ a must among overclockers?

oh, and btw, what do you think of the 8RGA, with integrated Geforce MX graphics? I know the AGP bandwidht severely limits the graphics performance, but would it be a least a viable alternative to my old voodoo 3000/ Riva TNT2 cards? I suppose that pretty north bridge heatsink to get really hot, since EPoX chose not to add active cooling...

 

[bozo1]

Onboard LAN and 6-channel audio.

 

[Nemesis77]

Originally posted by: MarkHark
oh, and btw, what do you think of the 8RGA, with integrated Geforce MX graphics? I know the AGP bandwidht severely limits the graphics performance

the integrated GFX doesn't use AGP.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: bozo1
Onboard LAN and 6-channel audio.

Sort of, but it's not quite that simple. The 8RDA+ comes with the MCP-T Southbridge that inlcudes the Nvidia APU, two native firewire ports, and support for dual LAN (even though the 8RDA+ only has one LAN port). The 8RDA+ has the cheaper MCP southbridge that does not have the Nvidia APU sound, no firewire, and no LAN. The sound on the board is from a 2 channel Realtek chip.

Other than those feature differences, the bios and board performance are virtually identical. IMO, the extra $20 for two firewire ports, the Nvidia sound, and the LAN port is more then worth it. BTW, make sure to check out Mwave...they have the 8RDA+ for under $100.

🙂

 

[tbates757]

Insane3D mwave might have the Epox listed for under $100, but don't forget to tac on an $8-$14 shipping/handling charge @ mwave to ship a mobo :-(

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: tbates757
Insane3D mwave might have the Epox listed for under $100, but don't forget to tac on an $8-$14 shipping/handling charge @ mwave to ship a mobo :-(

I know, but I think ground is lower than $8. I got one shipped here to the east coast from Mwave on the west coast, and it was only like $6 for UPS ground IIRC. $105-$110 is an excellent price for a board like that IMO.

 

[MarkHark]

Insane3D, I appreciate very much your answer. I didn't know the 8RDA used a different south bridge. I thought it only lacked the connectors, not the actual integrated circuits. The use of a cheaper south bridge may actually account for the price difference - and I agree, the extra 20 dollars are very much worth it. For all I have read, MCP-T rules. Are you sure MCP-T's sound feature is fully implemented on the 8RDA+? I thought it too depended on an AC97 Realtek chip...

 

[Insane3D]

I thought it too depended on an AC97 Realtek chip...

The Realtek CODEC is just used to control the input and output to the APU. Basically, the Nvidia APU can't output sound directly, it needs a CODEC to interface with it and convert the digital output to an analog signal and amplify it. It also handles all the ports and such. I have three 8RDA+'s, and the sound is fantastic. The Asus A7N8X Deluxe also uses the Nvidia sound fully, and it uses the same Realtek 650 chip to interface the APU. However, the Asus is "Soundstorm Certified" while the Epox is not, which confuses a lot of people. The "Soundstorm" term is used very loosely, and it's basically a set of requirements a board must meet to proclaim "Soundstorm" sound. The Epox meets the requirements fully with the exception of one...it has no digital SPDIF output port. For this one reason, they can't proclaim it as having "Soundstorm". However, you can purchase a add on header that will give you optical digital out and thus make the board fully "Soundstorm Certified". In fact, if Epox included this with the retail package, it would be certified.

Another point regarding the soundfrom a pro-audio standpoint. If you are an audiophile that needs the absolute cleanest analog signal, the Realtek chip is not the ideal CODEC to use, but for a gaming and DVD's the Realtek chip is excellent. If you were by chance doing some pro-audio work and needed a cleaner output to record, you could simply order the Optical I/O header and use a digital connection. If you have the audio output to the optical SPDIF port, you will bypass the Realtek CODEC completely since you are dealing with a digital signal.

🙂

 

[Bonesdad]

This board is Barton ready too (isn't it?).

Seriously considering this board too, glad to hear about the MWave price, tho i sure hate to stray from Newegg...

You might look over this link too. Let us know what u decide! Good luck.