2 AMD motherboard comparisons/opinions

[EGGO]

While gathering parts for my new computer, I was looking at the GIGABYTE "GA-K8NSNXP-939" nForce3 Ultra; but it seems that many are telling me to wait for the MSI K8N Neo2. Simple questions, should I go for this mobo or go with the K8NS and if you think you can, may you please answer why?

I don't plan on OCing, and using 2 gigs of ram.

 

[Odeen]

The MSI has 4 nForce3-controller SATA ports and on-chip ethernet (plus a second ethernet port controlled by the Realtek 8110, which you should disable)

The Gigabyte puts a lot of extra crap on the PCI bus (such as two of the SATA ports, and possibly networking). Plus it has Firewire800, which you don't need.

 

[awolkoff]

Odeen, thanks for your many helpful responses throughout this forum.

To me the harder question is balancing the excellent feature set of the MSI board against its reported reliability issues. That dillema has certainly kept me from clicking "purchase" so far...

ASW

 

[LSoares1]

Speaking of the MSI K8N Neo2, does anyone here think the Zalman 7000Cu fan will fit this thing? It looks like the ram banks might be a little to close.
Just something I was thinking about.

 

[EGGO]

Originally posted by: awolkoff
Odeen, thanks for your many helpful responses throughout this forum.

To me the harder question is balancing the excellent feature set of the MSI board against its reported reliability issues. That dillema has certainly kept me from clicking "purchase" so far...

ASW

Same. Just hearing that company's name already makes people doesn't hesitate to hit the back button.

 

[DarkAmeba]

I have used MSI for many systems, and have never had any problems with them. I'm also not sure how you can say the MSI has reliability problems when it's not out yet?? I've been trying to wait for the MSI, but it keeps getting pushed back. I'm about ready to buy the gigabyte.

 

[deceptic]

hey DarkAmeba,
I've been in the same boat as you waiting for the MSI board to come out. I was about to buy the gigabyte yesterday but figured I'd waited this long I might as well give it a few more days... Anyway, I got an e-mail from MSI today saying that they expect the board to hit online store in the next few days. Hope this news helps. Here's the e-mail they sent:

Dear MSI customers,

We apologize for the long wait of our K8N Neo2 platinum motherboard. This motherboard has been highly anticipated by computer users like you. Our production team members are working around the clock to make sure we receive the first shipment of the motherboards for the N. American market by the end of this week. Users should be able to buy the motherboard within a few days from major etailers, such as mwave.com, newgg.com, zipzoomfly.com...

We would like to thank you for your patience and your support is very much appreciated. It always has been, and continues to be MSI's goal to provide top quality product and support to its valued customers.


Sincerely,
MSI Computer Corp.

 

[awolkoff]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
I'm also not sure how you can say the MSI has reliability problems when it's not out yet??

I realize this particular board is not out yet. Too, I have never owned an MSI motherboard and have no personal experience--good or bad--with them. At the same time, there is no shortage of threads on this and other boards bemoaning quality issues related to MSI motherboards. While I have no personal adverse experience with the boards, the quantity of such posts certainly begs the question of whether I want to spend big bucks on THIS board in light of overall quality concerns.

The good news is that you have had no problems. The bad news is that others have. Remember Dirty Harry's famous line--"Is it worth it?" For me-no.

ASW

 

[DarkAmeba]

Originally posted by: deceptic
hey DarkAmeba,
I've been in the same boat as you waiting for the MSI board to come out. I was about to buy the gigabyte yesterday but figured I'd waited this long I might as well give it a few more days... Anyway, I got an e-mail from MSI today saying that they expect the board to hit online store in the next few days. Hope this news helps. Here's the e-mail they sent.

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. Guess I can wait a bit longer.

Originally posted by: awolkoffI realize this particular board is not out yet. Too, I have never owned an MSI motherboard and have no personal experience--good or bad--with them. At the same time, there is no shortage of threads on this and other boards bemoaning quality issues related to MSI motherboards. While I have no personal adverse experience with the boards, the quantity of such posts certainly begs the question of whether I want to spend big bucks on THIS board in light of overall quality concerns.

The good news is that you have had no problems. The bad news is that others have. Remember Dirty Harry's famous line--"Is it worth it?" For me-no.

ASW

Yeah.. I think Motherboards are similar to hard drives in the sense that the results vary from person to person. I started using MSI after using only Asus for years when I got a bad batch of Asus mobo's. I got 5 boards that could not recognize any IDE hdd. Sent those boards back and ordered 5 MSI's, and i've recieved no complaints since. Since then i've probally used 10 more MSI drives in various computers, and have had no problems.

I recognize the fact that I just got a bad batch of Asus mobos, and because of that Asus is still one of my favorite brands and I would buy one of their boards without hesitation.

I guess my point is that any manufacturer has trouble spots and occasional problems with their products. While its important to take them into consideration, it seems to me there has been a bit much MSI bashing as of late.
/rant

PS: I build and sell systems as a side job. Don't go thinking i'm some nut who buys 10 computers a year

 

[Chronoshock]

Crap just checked the sites and zipzoomfly has it for 30 bucks less than monarch...already ordered monarch and I wonder if I should cancel...