ASUS - need of some specs

U

ursinus

New Member
Hi there,

could some please define some differences between these mother-/mainboards:

ASUS A8V-E
ASUS A8N5X
ASUS A8N-SLI
ASUS A8N-SLI PREMIUM

And then I would like to ask - as some time has passed from my last contact with the computer markets - what kind of Graphic Card is recommended for a user who doesn't need it that much for "the first person games" (sometimes perhaps) but mostly for other, less demanding needs.

With Best Regards,
ursinus
 
the only thing that i think is different is that the Premium board is the first sli board where the speeds are at 16x in sli.

and for a good card that can play fps, it really depends on how much. i wuld say a midrange card culd be a 6800gs or gt. or even a 7800gt.
 
Thanks Bob,

but could you please inform me a bit about the concept of sli and the 16x speed of it. As my last computer is (from today was) Pentium II.

How this combination sounds as a starting point:

Motherboard: ASUS A8V-E or A8N-SLI
Processor: AMD 3700
Memory: 1 Gb DDR (Differences between PC3200/PC4300 and DDR/DDR2 and VDATA/TWINMOS/ADATA)
HD: 160 Gb (SEAGATE/MAXTOR)
Monitor: 19"
Graphic Card: ?
Sound card: ?

Budget: 800/900 euros (I don't know how are the prices in US)

Thanks,
ursinus
 
SLI is dual video cards. Now usually, when you run two GFX cards in SLI, they only operate a 8x, half what the do on their own.

With 16x SLI, both cards are running at full speeds.
 
ursinus said:
Memory: 1 Gb DDR (Differences between PC3200/PC4300 and DDR/DDR2 and VDATA/TWINMOS/ADATA)
Click to expand...

If you are going the AMD route you have to stick with DDR, as DDR2 is not supported by AMD yet. PC4300 will run faster than PC3200, but make sure if you get 4300 it's not DDR2. Between those companies it doesn't matter.
 
ursinus said:
could some please define some differences between these mother-/mainboards:
Click to expand...

ASUS A8V-E
Uses a VIA chipset rather than the nForce4. Only 2 SATA I ports, and it seems to be becoming harder to find. No SLI

ASUS A8N5X
Uses the standard nForce4 chipset, so 4 SATA I ports, but no SATA II support. No SLI

ASUS A8N-SLI
nForce4 SLI chipset, SATA II support, SLI (obviously)

ASUS A8N-SLI PREMIUM
Still the nForce4 SLI chipset, so SATA II and SLI remain. Passive cooling on the northbridge, so quieter and less likely to fail (there have been issues with the northbridge coolers on the A8N-SLI and A8N-SLI Deluxe). I believe that the SLI setting is now BIOS controller rather than using a PCB switch. Dual RAID and also Dual Gigabit Ethernet as well.

the only thing that i think is different is that the Premium board is the first sli board where the speeds are at 16x in sli.
Click to expand...
That's the A8N32-SLI (more expensive again), the A8N-SLI Premium still reverts to x8 in SLI. Not that you'd notice the difference unless you were using SLI'd 7800GTXs.

And then I would like to ask - as some time has passed from my last contact with the computer markets - what kind of Graphic Card is recommended for a user who doesn't need it that much for "the first person games" (sometimes perhaps) but mostly for other, less demanding needs.
Click to expand...

The 6600GT is a good choice, and will allow you to keep up with less intensive games in the future. If that's a bit expensive, take a look at the vanilla 6600. If you still want something cheaper, the 9600Pro is a good option, but would really struggle on FPSs. If a 6800GS would fit into your budget, it will allow for great gaming.

Differences between PC3200/PC4300
Click to expand...
PC3200 is fine unless you're looking for serious overclocking, 4300 will just be reduced to 3200 speeds anyway (albeit maybe with better timings). As mentioned, don't get DDR2 on an AMD.

800-900 Euros = 950-1070 USD. What's the computer for, if not for intensive gaming?

Monitor: 19"
Click to expand...
CRT or LCD? Or don't you mind?
 
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I would like to thank you all! I've to say that I had some difficulties understanding at the first reading... but after repeating few times I finally got the point, I guess. I would like to remind that I come from era when Super VGA was cool!!!

Anyway thanks to your advises I've to come to this conclusion:

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-E (*)
Processor: AMD 3700
Memory: 1 Gb DDR (PC3200/DDR/TWINMOS)
HD: 160 Gb (SEAGATE BARRACUDA)
Monitor: 19" LCD SAMSUNG
Graphic Card: NVIDIA GFORCE 6600GT (**)
Sound card: (***)

Comments please? Few questions (indicated with *)

* Ok, I've to say that I understood only partly the story of SLI (SATA ect.)... What the is SATA? And btw, I ment to ask specs about ASUS A8N-E (not A8V-E)

** I noticed that they are offering 6600GT with 256Mb and 128 Mb. Obviously there is a difference but what is the effect in a real world? And how about ATI? Are you all guys for NVIDIA? And why if so?

*** Nowadays sound cards are always integrated? Also in ASUS A8N-E, right?

I think I'm getting there... I hope.
ursinus
 
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First off, you'd notice a huge difference if you got an nForce 4 motherboard. There are a lot more features and you'd be able to go into SLI once your single 6600GT wasn't doing the job. If it's not in your budget then that's fine, but something to consider.

The 256mb version of the 6600GT won't yield huge performance increases over a 128mb version. If it's only a couple dollars, then go for the 256mb version.

Using an nForce4 SLI chipset will allow you to use SATAII, which allows for faster transfer rates from your hard drive. SLI will allow you to run two graphics cards at the same times and boost performance significantly.

Most every boaqrd will have integrated sound that will do jsut fine for casual gaming. THe board you chose has integrated sound.
 
At this price i'd be inclined to consider the Asus A8R-MVP.

First off, you'd notice a huge difference if you got an nForce 4 motherboard
Click to expand...
The A8N-E is nForce 4 Ultra. I think you're looking at the A8V-E

The 256mb version of the 6600GT won't yield huge performance increases over a 128mb version. If it's only a couple dollars, then go for the 256mb version.
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Agreed. If you're going to be paying a premium for 256MB, you can find better cards for just a few dollars more. It really just depends on the price.

you'd be able to go into SLI once your single 6600GT wasn't doing the job. If it's not in your budget then that's fine, but something to consider.
Click to expand...
I'd be inclined to save the money, and put it into a better graphics card now, like a 6800GS.
 
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