ASUS A7N8X nForce2 Review!!

[Mem]

Over@OCworkbench .

 

[Lizardman]

Thanks for posting. I have been waiting for a review just like every one else.

 

[mechBgon]

ooOOOoooo! Multiplier changing without unlocking (on a 2400+, at least). Gotta like that! And six audio jacks!

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Some key points of the review are:

it shows that the memory performance only increase by around 1.5% comparing dual DDR333 vs dual DDR400

Overall, the board based on the nForce2 chipset is something that kept to it's promise of Dual channel DDR400 support and it has done it. Although we don't find that it brought major performance gains when operating in this mode, we do noticed that DDR400 performance is already here on the nForce2 board



One particular thing I don't like about reviews is when they review ALL board that perform relatively the same. And Anandtech does it, as well. For example, they use ALL DDR33 boards when comparing this board. Why not use a few P4 boards in there, as well? It's useless when you are comparing DDR333 Athlon boards that perform all within 1% of one another. There's no difference between a 2067 and 2072 Sandra Memory Benchmark. I've seen this over and over in many review and it gets old.

 

[PUNKtotalled]

I don't think that this board is able to handle a PAL8045. It is a huge ;-) concern for me!
Anyone knows if the Alpha fits on it?

The ABIT NF7-8X won't accept it cos there is no holes around the socket.

Seems like I will keep my VIA board.

 

[CyNics]

it has agp locking feature..but what about PCI locking?

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: CyNics
it has agp locking feature..but what about PCI locking?

Good point. Too we cant get any reviews of it with the XP 2700+ with the 333FSB. I think its wiser to wait for all of the KT400A and Nforce2 Motherboards to come out Does anyone else agree with me? Or do you think this is the motherboard to buy?

 

[RanDum72]

Instead of using an ACR card to implement the nforce2's complete audio outputs (SPDIF out, analog surround speaker outputs) like they did with their nforce1 boards, they decided to cram everything at the back. At least it saves a PCI slot.

As for the PCI lock, it should have it, if based on the their older nforce1 boards. Their older nforce1 boards have locks for PCI at 33 ( I think it also locks the AGP at a fixed 66). Their new nforce2 boards are unique because it has AGP locks at different frequencies.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Hamburgerpimp
Some key points of the review are:

it shows that the memory performance only increase by around 1.5% comparing dual DDR333 vs dual DDR400

Overall, the board based on the nForce2 chipset is something that kept to it's promise of Dual channel DDR400 support and it has done it. Although we don't find that it brought major performance gains when operating in this mode, we do noticed that DDR400 performance is already here on the nForce2 board



One particular thing I don't like about reviews is when they review ALL board that perform relatively the same. And Anandtech does it, as well. For example, they use ALL DDR33 boards when comparing this board. Why not use a few P4 boards in there, as well? It's useless when you are comparing DDR333 Athlon boards that perform all within 1% of one another. There's no difference between a 2067 and 2072 Sandra Memory Benchmark. I've seen this over and over in many review and it gets old.

Did you see the SPEC performance in AnandTech's "nForce 2, part 2" article? That sure got my attention, definitlely not all small differences.

I know what you mean, though... it happens with video-card reviews too. They put all the GF4's and Radeon 9xxx's together for a test, but what I really want to know is where MY ol' video card lands, so I know what the improvement would be relative to what I have now.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Hamburgerpimp
Some key points of the review are:

it shows that the memory performance only increase by around 1.5% comparing dual DDR333 vs dual DDR400

Overall, the board based on the nForce2 chipset is something that kept to it's promise of Dual channel DDR400 support and it has done it. Although we don't find that it brought major performance gains when operating in this mode, we do noticed that DDR400 performance is already here on the nForce2 board



One particular thing I don't like about reviews is when they review ALL board that perform relatively the same. And Anandtech does it, as well. For example, they use ALL DDR33 boards when comparing this board. Why not use a few P4 boards in there, as well? It's useless when you are comparing DDR333 Athlon boards that perform all within 1% of one another. There's no difference between a 2067 and 2072 Sandra Memory Benchmark. I've seen this over and over in many review and it gets old.

Did you see the SPEC performance in AnandTech's "nForce 2, part 2" article? That sure got my attention, definitlely not all small differences.

I know what you mean, though... it happens with video-card reviews too. They put all the GF4's and Radeon 9xxx's together for a test, but what I really want to know is where MY ol' video card lands, so I know what the improvement would be relative to what I have now.

Duplicate our tests yourself.

 

[mechBgon]

My dear sir, send over the test system and the games (none of which I own) and I'll throw my video card in there and get started right away!

I know, I know... there's no end to how many old video cards you'd have to test in order to make everyone happy, but if it's possible to go back and throw in at least one previous-gen card such as a GeForce 3 Ti200 or something, that could help people get perspective. That, and/or a screenshot showing the eye candy that shows up on the hot new cards (but not on the old ones), which we don't know we're missing.

Just some random 2-cents worth there, don't mind me.

 

[Mem]

The Asus A7N8X maunal is supposed to be available for download but it`s not working yet.


ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/nforce2/a7n8x/e1086_a7n8x.pdf .

UPDATE: The above link is working now

 

[Insane3D]

Bah..Asus! Give me my 8RDA+!

Nice find Mem.

 

[RanDum72]

Whats with these Epox boys ruining Asus' party? I swear I'll neff on any 8RDA+ thread:|

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: RanDum72
Whats with these Epox boys ruining Asus' party? I swear I'll neff on any 8RDA+ thread:|

 

[tuan121]

Cant wait for the asus nforce2 but i dont think it would fit the ax7. only draw back in my option.

 

[Adul]

me wants

 

[gmenfan]

Does anyone know when nForce2 boards will be available to purchase? Just curious.

 

[kb1972]

I see two entries on pricewatch (cheapest is $122 + S&H). ETA is Nov 13!

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: gmenfan
Does anyone know when nForce2 boards will be available to purchase? Just curious.

LOL!

 

[gmenfan]

Originally posted by: kgraeme

Originally posted by: gmenfan
Does anyone know when nForce2 boards will be available to purchase? Just curious.

LOL!

Why is this so funny? Is it a dumb question?

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: gmenfan

Originally posted by: kgraeme

Originally posted by: gmenfan
Does anyone know when nForce2 boards will be available to purchase? Just curious.

LOL!

Why is this so funny? Is it a dumb question?

It's just one of the most commonly asked questions around here, and there's no good answer. I used to think I knew. I had firm ship dates from one of the major board manufacturers. That was supposed to be Week 40 (Oct 1 or so). Then it was mid-October, then mid-November, now they are saying volume shipments hopefully in December.

Meanwhile, Intel has been putting out quite a nice selection of chipsets in case you want to build something today.

 

[Insane3D]

Meanwhile, Intel has been putting out quite a nice selection of chipsets in case you want to build something today.

While this is true, they are pissing the manufacturers off a tad by releasing so many "new" chipsets that are all still based on the same technology (i845). Do you think they were happy when they went from the i845D to the i845E/i845G and then to the current (for now) i845PE/i845GE in a matter of months? They all basically do the same thing, only thing that really changed was official DDR certification, and HT support.

 

[gmenfan]

Gotcha, I must be blind, I did a search on nForce2 and went through serveral topics but didn't see any release dates. I dont want to build a P4 rig. I have a Athlon XP with DDR333 memory and all the other good stuff. I just want to upgrade my MB. I am not happy with my Epox 8K3A. Random reboots, sound card issues, ect. A nForce2 board my have similar issues but I want to get away from VIA and Epox. Hasn't been much fun for me.

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Meanwhile, Intel has been putting out quite a nice selection of chipsets in case you want to build something today.

While this is true, they are pissing the manufacturers off a tad by releasing so many "new" chipsets that are all still based on the same technology (i845). Do you think they were happy when they went from the i845D to the i845E/i845G and then to the current (for now) i845PE/i845GE in a matter of months? They all basically do the same thing, only thing that really changed was official DDR certification, and HT support.

And VIA's been any different lately?