A7N8X Deluxe vs NF7-S v2.0

[Jonny M]

Always been a fan of Asus, so Abit is a bit of an unknown for me. I'm not really too bothered by the overclocking (although I have a TbredB XP1700 so overclocking would be something I am going to do), but would rather go with the Asus and miss out a couple of Mhz overclock than have hassles with the Abit.

However, the results of this poll will convince me which one to go for .

Or get one of those new VIA boards?

[wilsonian]

I work for the returns department of a large PC company (no names) and have seen quite a few of these come back with faults such as unstable, radom crashes etc. i know the NF7-S can over clock fair better...

just make sure you get a version 2

[Bleek]

The NF7-S v2.0 would be my next purchase, loads of bang for your money (like a cheap whore really).

[Austin]

Both are absolutely TOP NOTCH. The ABit NF7-S v2.0 is probably the more popular (I have one) but it certainly isn't perfect by any means and I actually prefer my old Gigabyte 7VAX KT400 in MANY ways. Anyway the upsides should be obvious (esp nice is SATA and PATA converter) so here's the downsides of NF7-S v2.0 ...

* LOUD and poor quality NB cooler, def replace with a Zalman passive solution.

* Power connectors (inc P4 style) are on the wrong side of the mobo producing a LOT more clutter and reducing airflow.

* The floppy connector is at the top of the mobo so cables clash.

* The IDE connectors are a bit low for most cases and the RAM is VERY close so cables often get in the way and also clash with the floppy cable.

* Could have done with a 3rd fan header, not so good with the location of the non-CPU connector.

* No gaming port, I used an 8 button gamepad for DOS stuff and for emulations and it's an anooying omittance esp since you aren't going to want a soundcard in there (for a gaming port) with nVidia's full audio compliment.

* When you o/c you lose the XP rating, so your XP1700+ will only show "AthlonXP 2133ghz" rather than AthlonXP2700+ for example.

* The mobo is FULL size (if not 105%) and I can't help but feel they could have made it fractionally smaller, esp problematic for some cases which lack a removable mobo tray or where the 5.25" bays can collide with the RAM/IDE etc.

* You need a diff BIOS to the NF7-S v1.x which wasn't made clear on ALL the Abit sites for a long time (US site was best).

Okay some of the points are VERY picky but then this is rev2.0 and right at the top of the SktA heap from a top manu ... I expect better!

[Axion]

i really have to agree... the layout could be far far better... the nb fan isnt a huge concern for me... but the ide/floppy connectors along with the power connecters are just poorly though out!

buy a gaming port --> usb convertor.... everything should be usb anyway... since gaming port, serial, parralel are all inferior and cumbersome... plus annoying... usb2 all round!

[Austin]

Please don't take it as running the NF7-S v2.0 down, I'm just trying to say it isn't perfect and I did expect better. Still it understands the 5th FID bit so can use multiplier above 12.5x, is 100% rock solid stable, has all the o/c'ing goodness you could need with some intelligence too (eg 3 failed POSTs and it falls back for 1 boot), has awesome sound, LAN etc plus SATA is a nice bonus.

Axion for some reason I didn't think about a USB-gameport convertor but I doubt I'd use it enough to warrant the asking price AND begrudge shelling out cash when it should really come with the mobo, afterall it wasn't even a mid-range offering. USB and esp 2.0 is an excellent update from the old days of serial/parallel but it's a sin how much the leads cost. I'm sure the NF7-S v2.0 layout is like that for good reasons, stability, good power supply etc but it is annoying esp when other manu's can make do without!

[Zak33]

Asus...but only because I have made 3 systems with the vanilla version (NON Deluxe) and all where fine and dandy.

PLUS (dunno if Abit has this) Asus has an online BIOS flasher......its a piece of cake...

I hate (no..I am TERRIFIED of) BIOS flashing....I have done this one 3 times now, with success each time, and NO HASSLE.

[Byatt]

Originally posted by Zak33
Asus...but only because I have made 3 systems with the vanilla version (NON Deluxe) and all where fine and dandy.

PLUS (dunno if Abit has this) Asus has an online BIOS flasher......its a piece of cake...

I hate (no..I am TERRIFIED of) BIOS flashing....I have done this one 3 times now, with success each time, and NO HASSLE.

Abit has one too, although I forget it's name...

[Axion]

awdflash is abits flasher... one click bios flashing from within windows... great!

oh and austin i still think the nf7-s is the daddy of amd mobos... just could be better

the usb cables arent that expensive... ive seen them as low as £7... but convertors are rip offs...

i want to buy a gamceube ---> usb convertor since i dont have a ps2...

i know skillz makes one but i cant find it in stock anywhere in the uk!

[Trash Man]

Had the chance to swap to the Abit from my Asus for nothing, but could not see the point in the end.

I have no doubt which board will win this poll, but then how many of those people that are raving on about how good the Abit is have used the Asus?

[Korky]

I have used it, and i still find the abit better.

[Austin]

Korky you'd be in a very good position then to tell us the pros and cons of the Asus and why the Abit seems better ... or is it more of a personal preference / feeling?