What is the difference between the NF7, NF7-S and AN7?

[The Sauce]

As per the title.

 

[Davegod]

Quick & lazy answer: (get you started anyway)
NF7-S
NF7
AN7
(click Specifications)

Far as I can see the difference between NF7-S and NF7 is theyre more or less the same board but NF7-S is the more feature-rich or deluxe version. No SATA on NF7, presuambly no RAID, I think the audio chip is a lesser one (probably realtek instead of soundstorm, no optical out)... Far as I can see the difference is bells & whistles, if you already have say an Audigy, no need for SATA or raid and dont value the extra overclocking options (whatever " 5bit FID (Frequency ID) " is) then far as I can see theyre basically the same.

AN7 I gather is an update to the NF7-S. The main difference I see there is this " μGuru". Note I vaguely recall reading some comments about the AN7 not overclocking as excellently as the NF7-S.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Davegod
AN7 I gather is an update to the NF7-S. The main difference I see there is this " ìGuru". Note I vaguely recall reading some comments about the AN7 not overclocking as excellently as the NF7-S.

Most of the reports Ive read suggest that the AN7 is a poorer overclocker in comparison to the NF7-S Revision 2.0.

 

[Odeen]

The AN7 was rumored to have supposed to use the mythical (and now largely defunct) MCP-S southbridge, that had not just chipset-level hardware audio, firewire, twin 10/100 that the MCP-T provided but also had chipset-level SATA.

With just the SIL3112 PCI SATA controller, the AN7 is largely uninteresting compared to the proven NF7-S, aside from a more logical firewire port layout. The NF7-S had two headers on the motherboard, and a two port bracket, which, if you had a case with front firewire, was silly. You either don't connect front firewire, or you have a non-functioning port in the back, and a cable dangling down amongst your expensive components.

The AN7 instead has one port integrated right into the backplate, and has a single header, which can be connected either to the single header rear firewire bracket, or to the front firewire (thus leaving the bracket in the box). More efficient.

 

[crimson117]

AN7 has uGuru and on-the-fly overclocking through windows. It also has room to grow, potentially, since it's newer than NF7-S. Either will be a great board to choose.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I think the audio chip is a lesser one (probably realtek instead of soundstorm, no optical out

Both the NF7 and NF7-S use Realtek DAC codecs. The NF7-S uses the MCP-T chip which is the chip needed to be called "SoundStorm". Analog audio quality, they should be the same. The NF7-S does have digital outputs to get the Dolby Digital sound that everyone raves about. However, unless you use the digital output, SoundStorm is basically useless.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: crimson117
AN7 has uGuru and on-the-fly overclocking through windows. It also has room to grow, potentially, since it's newer than NF7-S. Either will be a great board to choose.

With the latest BIOS and the NVidia System Utility you can do on the fly in-windows overclocking on the NF7-S R2 also. I just don't have the guts to try (read: I'm broke and can't afford to buy new stuff right now).

 

[Blain]

Oops

 

[Blain]

How much more similar can you get?

From odds & ends I've read, the "OC Guru" app. can do nasty things to the BIOS over time.
Assuming that someone ONLY OC'd via the system BIOS (no Windows multiplier or FSBRAM adjustments anyway)... Would the AN7 add any stability over the NF7-S?

* FanEQ adjustments - sounds good
* BlackBox - helpful?


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