Which Nforce2 board to choose? (EDIT)

[MarkHark]

In the past weeks we have seen Nforce2 boards consistently outperform VIA and SIS competitors, in performance, included features, and sometimes even in price (just take a look at latest Anandtech's guide). I can presently see no reason why one should choose a KT400 mobo, instead. There's quite some expectation that KT400A release could turn the tides, but that's a point yet to see.
We have today a handful of different Nforce2 mobos, from several manufacturers, including ASUS, Epox, Abit, Chaintech, even FIC and Leadtek have something to show by now. There may be others I don't remember now.

So which board seems to be best? ASUS A7N8X and Abit NF7S have similar prices and features. Epox 8RDA+ is just a bit cheaper, and considered by some a very good FSB overclocker. Leadtek is selling even cheaper. I'm not sure of FIC's current prices, but their board has been talked of in superlatives. Chaintech 7NJS is by far the most expensive in the group. Are those nice features worth the 60+ extra dollars? And what about stability and compatibility?

Well, it's up to you guys to convince me that one of these boards is really THE ONE to go with 2 256-MB sticks of Corsair XMS-3200CL2.

 

[majewski9]

Nforce2 + Athlon XP 2100 probaly my next upgrade!

 

[sandorski]

You forgot MSI.

 

[MarkHark]

Yes, you're right, I forgot to mention MSI. The fact is I haven't read much talk about THEIR Nforce2 board. There is another thread going on about Nforce 2 stability, and Epox 8RDA+ seems to be highly praised.

Hey guys, anyone over there has tried FIC's new Nforce 2 board yet?

 

[MarkHark]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=958572[/L]

This is the thread I referred to in the last post

 

[mechBgon]

Linked

Are those nice features worth the 60+ extra dollars? And what about stability and compatibility?

$60 extra? If an EPoX 8RDA+ were $60 extra, that would mean the KT400 boards are below $50.

 

[MarkHark]

Sorry, you got it wrong! I said that Chaintech Zenith 7NJS is 60+ dollars over Epox 8RDA+, not the opposite (see latest price guide at Anandtech's home page)

 

[human2k]

Epox 8RDA+ featuring soundstorm $108 @ tcwo.com with free s/h............there shouldn't be any questions about which board, it should about when yours is arriving.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: MarkHark
Sorry, you got it wrong! I said that Chaintech Zenith 7NJS is 60+ dollars over Epox 8RDA+, not the opposite (see latest price guide at Anandtech's home page)

Ohhh, ok, I get it now. Did you notice that Chaintech doesn't even use the onboard nVidia audio on that board for some reason? Kinda strange, and a strike against it IMHO. Strike 1½ is that they are selling them, but you can't download a manual from them (yet)

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: human2k
Epox 8RDA+ featuring soundstorm $108 @ tcwo.com with free s/h............there shouldn't be any questions about which board, it should about when yours is arriving.

Or Mwave.com for $104.50 plus s/h, until TCWO gets more in stock (which I hear thirdhand might be Friday).

 

[stinger25]

The ASUS A7N8X deluxe is the perfect motherboard for just $150 on newegg.com :Q

 

[Tab]

Asus's nForce 2 A7N8X was a bad mobo IMHO. Tons of BIOS problems, the Epox 8RDA+ will pwn you!

P.S The KT400A's should be coming out soon

 

[MarkHark]

yesterday I saw a comparison between MSI, EPOX8RDA+ and FIC AU-11. Seems that FIC and EPOX actually use the exact same board layout, and also identical BIOSes, and somebody already flashed EPOX's BIOS on FIC's board (?? I read something on Amdmb's Forums ??), but anyway AU-11 only got about 184 FSB, while 8RDA+ went through 214 MHz.

 

[Lalakai]

I'm in the same boat, in considering which mb for a new upgrade, so this thread is helpful. But can someone explain the difference between the ASUS A7N8X and the A7V8X??? Relating to those boards, are they still have having alot of conflicts or did they get the bugs ironed out???

 

[MarkHark]

A7V8X is the KT400 chipset model, while A7N8X has the new Nforce 2 chipset. Basically it means faster memory access and better integrated features.

As to the bugs... go take a look at the mobo section on this forum. I think for Nforce 2 it's still too early to say anything.

 

[rb56]

Originally posted by: human2k
Epox 8RDA+ featuring soundstorm $108 @ tcwo.com with free s/h............there shouldn't be any questions about which board, it should about when yours is arriving.

Mine will be here Monday! (from Newegg)


rb56

 

[TrollMan]

The only info I can find on the Epox 8RDA suggests that it only supports PC3200 RAM, is this true?

I am looking to change motherboard for an nForce 2 with MCP2-T audio (which I found excellent on my current board, the A7N266-E) - the only problem is my RAM is DDR PC2100 (512MB). Which is the best to get supporting this? The MSI K7N2G-L looks interesting but it isn't clear whether it uses NVidia's sound core or a third-party one, and I haven't found many reviews of it yet...

I may be getting hold of another 512MB, is it worth me getting 2700 or 3200 which will be limited to the speed of my 2100 stick but leave me better prepared for the future, or will this just not work?

(Processor is Athlon XP 1900+)

 

[touchmyichi]

Ok whoever said the A7N8X sucks, sucks. I love this board and its running very nicely. I would consider the FIC nforce 2 board. It only costs 100 bucks and is identical to that of an Epox 8RDA+, in fact u can even flash and epox bios on it lol. So that would be a prime choice.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: TrollMan
The only info I can find on the Epox 8RDA suggests that it only supports PC3200 RAM, is this true?

I am looking to change motherboard for an nForce 2 with MCP2-T audio (which I found excellent on my current board, the A7N266-E) - the only problem is my RAM is DDR PC2100 (512MB). Which is the best to get supporting this? The MSI K7N2G-L looks interesting but it isn't clear whether it uses NVidia's sound core or a third-party one, and I haven't found many reviews of it yet...

I may be getting hold of another 512MB, is it worth me getting 2700 or 3200 which will be limited to the speed of my 2100 stick but leave me better prepared for the future, or will this just not work?

(Processor is Athlon XP 1900+)

The nForce2 boards will run your PC2100 memory fine, no problem there. You can mix and match too. The performance will be best if the RAM runs in sync with the CPU for low latency, generally, even if this means the memory runs a lot slower than it's capable of.

 

[TrollMan]

Thanks

Quick question - when I first got the A7N266-E I had problems with using RAM in both channels if they weren't identical... if I mix and match should I keep them on the two separate channels or both on the primary?

Does anyone have any opinions on the MSI boards? Not just cos they're a nice pretty shade of red...

 

[mechBgon]

You might try both ways on the mix/match scenario and see if there's any difference in benchmarks. If you have modules on both memory controllers, they'll both run, and probably just use the combined slowest specs of the two different modules unless you manually specify otherwise.

Even if dual-channel isn't operating, it's still going to be pretty close in performance on most apps I've seen tested, with the exception of the SPECview ones, where dual-channel seems to go wild. Or if you had onboard video then the extra bandwidth of dual-channel would help with 3D performance.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: TrollMan
Thanks

Quick question - when I first got the A7N266-E I had problems with using RAM in both channels if they weren't identical... if I mix and match should I keep them on the two separate channels or both on the primary?

Does anyone have any opinions on the MSI boards? Not just cos they're a nice pretty shade of red...

I was considering getting an MSI b/c of the color - the Asus is just friggin ugly in its beige color which means it is a horrible motherboard

To get dualchannel to work isn't it necessary to have the EXACT same sticks of ram? If you don't want dualchannel just stick the sticks in 1 and 2



One more thing, Specview? what is that and I could see a link of the benchies to see how much a difference dual channel made?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: magomago

Originally posted by: TrollMan
Thanks

Quick question - when I first got the A7N266-E I had problems with using RAM in both channels if they weren't identical... if I mix and match should I keep them on the two separate channels or both on the primary?

Does anyone have any opinions on the MSI boards? Not just cos they're a nice pretty shade of red...

I was considering getting an MSI b/c of the color - the Asus is just friggin ugly in its beige color which means it is a horrible motherboard

To get dualchannel to work isn't it necessary to have the EXACT same sticks of ram? If you don't want dualchannel just stick the sticks in 1 and 2



One more thing, Specview? what is that and I could see a link of the benchies to see how much a difference dual channel made?

You bet. Check out the blue numbers in the chart here It's got to do with high-end visualization/CAD-type stuff. That preview also goes into some depth about what all that extra bandwidth can be useful for and why.

I don't think the sticks have to be precisely the same but that would be ideal. Unlike Intel's dual-channel implementation on Granite Bay, which makes one 128-bit path out of two modules, nForce2 basically load-balances between the two 64-bit memory controllers, from what I've read. This is why you don't give up dual-DDR when adding a third module.

 

[HecDTec]

Whatever you do don't buy an Abit NF7-S. Just got mine and after 2 weeks of getting all my software installed I find a "hum" coming from the microphone when trying to IM with someone. Seems I was told in a canned email message reply to go to the forum site for better support. I find that lots of people having the same problem then found one from Abit support acknowledging the problem. They asked for us to RMA back the board and they will fix it and send it back for free. Tried to RMA and thier RMA link can't find the web page. They will send an advance RMA if you plop down $150US + $7shipping. How nice of them to badly QC thier shipping product and then charge you to replace & ship it. So "there" you got my opinion about one manufacturer. :disgust:

Good Luck!

 

[Shockwave]

I love my Asus A7N8X. Absolutely solid. Those BIOS issues are easily solved. Flash to 1002 Final (On Asus's website). Shutdown. Disconnect ALL power (Including battery) GO smoke a cigarette. Come back, put all power back on, boot to windows. Your done.