You are replacing PCI with PCI-e too quickly

[Agent]

This is bugging the hell out of me
Ive just gone to buy a 775 board. Considering all the boards ive used in my main system for the last few years are Abits, yours are the first ones I looked at. Now, you are not alone in doing this, I am not singling you out.
Looking at the AW9D, it has ONE PCI slot. ONE !
Abit always pride itself on selling enthusiast based boards. They overclock well, have good support, and are just generally nice to work with. But who in their right mind decided to fit it with ONE PCI slot ?
Enthusiasts will not use the onboard sound. We will be using an X-fi or some other soundcard. Marketing on how good the onboard solution is will not phase us – it wont be used in the majority of cases. So straight away, that’s the PCI slot gone.
What makes it even worse, is that I want to add dual TV-cards in their for a media centre. With only PCI-e 1x slots left, that’s not going to be happening.

There is no doubt that PCI-e is the future, but its not here yet. Even new cards, such as physics add-in’s are still using normal PCI. Finding a PCI-e 1x card for *anything* is an issue in itself. Network cards are pretty much the only thing ive seen in them, and they are hard to get.

Until the market has PCI-e alternatives for the most commonly used peripherals, such as sound cards and TV cards, please give us more PCI slots !

[BUFF]

I agree or I would have bought an AW9D-MAX months ago.
However, there is a silver lining
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/97...max/index.html

[ABIT Sean]

I know what you saying and it does make sense, but we have to push forward with current maket. The main reason why there is only one PCI slot was increase the space between the graphics cards. As todays cards get bigger, more powerful and hotter to run.

We have just released a new motherboard that might work better for you, it should be avaliable to buy in a few weeks. AND IT HAS 2 PCI slots.

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/mothe...775&DEFTITLE=Y

[BUFF]

it should be avaliable to buy in a few weeks. AND IT HAS 2 PCI slots.

Hmm, can you be more precise?
The rumours that I have seen were talking about January?

[ABIT Sean]

Should be avaliable by the middle of December so add it to your christmas wish list, its already on mine.

[Agent]

I know what you saying and it does make sense, but we have to push forward with current maket. The main reason why there is only one PCI slot was increase the space between the graphics cards. As todays cards get bigger, more powerful and hotter to run.

We have just released a new motherboard that might work better for you, it should be avaliable to buy in a few weeks. AND IT HAS 2 PCI slots.

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/mothe...775&DEFTITLE=Y

I think ill wait for that - got an RRP (£, not $ please )
I would argue that the "current market" is PCI, and not PCI-e simply by looking at what you can buy. PCI-e will be great, but its a while off

[daveham]

I was looking for a PCI-E network card a few weeks ago due to my board only having two pci slots (one obscured by gfx card) and you seem to pay 5 times the amount for one!

[Steve]

I was looking for a PCI-E network card a few weeks ago due to my board only having two pci slots (one obscured by gfx card) and you seem to pay 5 times the amount for one!

Takes effort to redesign hardware with a new signalling system

[nichomach]

What makes it even worse, is that I want to add dual TV-cards in their for a media centre. With only PCI-e 1x slots left, that’s not going to be happening.

Is THIS any help? PCI-E 1x dual DVB-T tuner? Alternatively, THIS hybrid DVB-T/analogue?

[DratUK]

Should be avaliable by the middle of December so add it to your christmas wish list, its already on mine.

And mine. At long last a decently priced 680i mobo. £139 I have seen advertised at a certain company. Very clean looking board the chip passive heat sink solution looks far less cluttered than the Asus solution. Well done Abit.

[jackvdbuk]

looks good, i think ill have ot wait before going into to purchase this board witha review, as i have had eyes set on the p5b d at tho mo, however if reasonably priced then ill defo jump onto the abit bandwagon!

btw could soem 1 tell me (noob question) do ATi cards work properly? as in no performance differnces from say on a p965?

[ExceededGoku]

All graphics cards are compatible with all motherboards, you may find some performance enhancements on the better chipsets. And even some tuning towards certain manufacturers.

[Agent]

Is THIS any help? PCI-E 1x dual DVB-T tuner? Alternatively, THIS hybrid DVB-T/analogue?

Oh cheers
If only the driver support was a bit better

And mine. At long last a decently priced 680i mobo. £139 I have seen advertised at a certain company. Very clean looking board the chip passive heat sink solution looks far less cluttered than the Asus solution. Well done Abit.

Link ?

[gilgamesh]

This is bugging the hell out of me
Ive just gone to buy a 775 board. Considering all the boards ive used in my main system for the last few years are Abits, yours are the first ones I looked at. Now, you are not alone in doing this, I am not singling you out.
Looking at the AW9D, it has ONE PCI slot. ONE !
Abit always pride itself on selling enthusiast based boards. They overclock well, have good support, and are just generally nice to work with. But who in their right mind decided to fit it with ONE PCI slot ?
Enthusiasts will not use the onboard sound. We will be using an X-fi or some other soundcard. Marketing on how good the onboard solution is will not phase us – it wont be used in the majority of cases. So straight away, that’s the PCI slot gone.
What makes it even worse, is that I want to add dual TV-cards in their for a media centre. With only PCI-e 1x slots left, that’s not going to be happening.

There is no doubt that PCI-e is the future, but its not here yet. Even new cards, such as physics add-in’s are still using normal PCI. Finding a PCI-e 1x card for *anything* is an issue in itself. Network cards are pretty much the only thing ive seen in them, and they are hard to get.

Until the market has PCI-e alternatives for the most commonly used peripherals, such as sound cards and TV cards, please give us more PCI slots !

Hmmm I wonder..

Actually I see what you mean about your situation, however I still feel that the AW9DMAX is great for most users. I dont use sli and besides its a crossfire board only. Having said that WHY did abit include an SLI bridge with this board......... do they know something that we dont?

I use this board not for sli but for OVERCLOCKING, so I feel that its a great board for my needs.

Regards

Gilgamesh

[Supershanks]

.DratUK : £139 I have seen advertised at a certain company

Where all i've seen are £200~250 inc vat EVGA & Asus boards reckon abit will be in same ballpark. (would be nice to be proved wrong, but not holding my breath )

[Hasnath]

i think he meant £139+vat from tekheads unless i'm mistaken

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=606628