Nforce2 Ultra 400 Motherboard Roundup

Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
edited July 2003 in Science & Tech
<a href="http://www17.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030721/index.html&quot; target=_blank>Toms Hardware</a> : Nforce2 Ultra 400 - 10 Motherbaord Roundup (2003-07-21)

"The graphics specialist nVIDIA still offers the fastest platform for the Athlon XP. With an FSB clock rate of up to 200 MHz, the latest version, which goes by the name of nForce2 Ultra 400, can serve even the fastest Athlon XP 3200+. We ran a total of ten motherboards through our tests. The Shuttle XPC Mini-PC was also there at the starting line."

Motheboards reviewed: <ul>
<li> Abit NF7-S
<li> AOpen AK79D-400Max
<li> Asus A7N8X 2.0 Deluxe
<li> DFI LanParty NFII Ultra
<li> Epox EP-8RDA3+
<li> Gigabyte GA-7NNXP
<li> Leadtek K7NCR18D Pro 2
<li> MSI K7N2 Delta
<li> Shuttle Spacewalker AN35N-Ultra
<li> Shuttle Spacewalker XPC-SN45G
</ul>
<a href="http://www17.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030721/nforce2_ultra_400-32.html&quot; target=_blank><b>Motherboard Features List Page</b></a>

Comments

  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited July 2003
    Conclusion: DFI and Gigabyte Are the All-Around Winners <i>(you've got to be kidding...)</i>

    <a href="http://www17.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030721/nforce2_ultra_400-31.html&quot; target=_blank>(from the conclusion page)</a>

    Abit, Asus, Epox und AOpen are in the middle of the field of runners, although this description in itself almost does an injustice to all four boards. AOpen supports the user in searching for errors, with Dr. Voice. Asus does even better, because the speech output of Speech Post Reporter is of significantly better quality via the onboard sound system. On the other hand, there is once more little difference between Q-Fan from Asus and SilentTek from AOpen. Epox's debug system, based on a digital display, is significantly less convenient, but Epox supplies IDE round cables plus SATA power adapters. Nobody else thought of that, apart from DFI and Gigabyte.

    It is very difficult to distinguish any interesting or relevant differences in terms of performance; in this case the differences are too small and insignificant. It is just a matter of what added value the manufacturers can offer.

    Gigabyte scores some extra points because the GA-7NNXP is the only board to offer both an IDE RAID controller and a serial ATA controller. On top of that there is Gigabit Ethernet and a second 100-Mbit port for the familiar DSL connector, DualBIOS - what else could you want?

    While it's true that DFI does not offer Gigabit LAN, it does offer IDE RAID with the RAID mode 1.5 (a hot topic of discussion today), and a high-quality carrying strap for the computer, in case you need to carry it about now and again. The IDE round cables also really make things a lot easier. All in all, the LANParty NFII Ultra makes such a good impression that, along with the Gigabyte GA-7NNXP, it takes victory in the test.
  • TheLostSwedeTheLostSwede Trondheim, Norway Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    THG said
    Nobody else thought of that, apart from DFI and Gigabyte.


    :scratch:

    20% is a lot more than Nobody. Actually more, 2 out of 9.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited July 2003
    well see its Tom's, so that have to slant it like all AMD manufacturers are complete retards.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    Way to suck as usual Herr Pabst.
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited July 2003
    Like Tom's has had a decent review/article since the p3 1.13GHz debacle.

    I quit going there on a frequenct basis a long time ago as I don't like to give them any page hits that would possibly help them generate more money.
  • WuGgaRoOWuGgaRoO Not in the shower Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    *sigh* im going to wait until amdb does sumthing similiar
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    After multiple great experiences with Abit Mobos, I bought a Gigabyte 7VRXP based on TH's recommendations. What a disappointment! It wasn't fast and had massive compatability problems.
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited July 2003
    Firends don't let Friends buy Gigabyte!

    Stick to the brands you know and trust. Most tops brands are within 5% (performancewise) of each other anyway. It's not noticable.....
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited July 2003
    I've never had a problem with a Gigabyte. They aren't overclocker-friendly most of the time, but they are normally rock solid. Perhaps you got a lemon.

    Never go on THG's recommendation, though.
    Preacher said
    After multiple great experiences with Abit Mobos, I bought a Gigabyte 7VRXP based on TH's recommendations. What a disappointment! It wasn't fast and had massive compatability problems.



    To someone that isn't going to overclock I would recommend Gigabyte as I have never had any problems with them. I know you are a big proponent of Epox, but the 3 Epox motherboards I had go south on me within a 1-week period were replaced by Gigabyte boards. Those systems have been kicking strong for years now! I really like Gigabyte.
    Omega65 said
    Firends don't let Friends buy Gigabyte!

    Stick to the brands you know and trust. Most tops brands are within 5% (performancewise) of each other anyway. It's not noticable.....
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited July 2003
    Considering Epox make about 1 million mobos a month, you either got a bad batch or have a bad vendor. There are horror stories about every mobo brand.

    Personally I wouldn't recommend Gigabyte for anything or to anyone. But like I said stick to the brand you know and trust.

    And my two Epox KT400 kick out 75pts/day (each) running FAH v3.25 24/7 for 6months now (The Abit KD7 does also...)
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