Whats the best M/B for SLi?

[zhenboy]

Im now building a new SLi rig...

Just wondering whats the best M/B to get the most out of 7800gtx oc SLi setup.

Im thinking about buying an ASUS A8N 32 SLI - D and an operton 146

or an intel 945x/975x chipset board with a dual core/single EMT64 P4HT/P4EE

Any idea guys? What should I go for?

Cheers

[herulach]

If you had any sense then youd get an x1900 and save your money, however, since you obviously want to overclock a dfi board is prob best. However i have to question why you arent doing say 2x7800GT and an x2, which will prob perform better.

[Noni]

SLI and overclocking I would say that a A8N32 is best.

Although, for JUST overclocking, the DFI expert is more suited.

[Dark Horse]

SLI and overclocking I would say that a A8N32 is best.

Although, for JUST overclocking, the DFI expert is more suited.

Just curious as you haven't quantified why? I presume is is the Dual x16 pcie lanes?

There is a good review of that at Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2589&p=10

[Rhyth]

Get a single X1900XT and oc it bro, cooler and you have the potential to add another beast at a later date if you need to crank it up again?

There is a mobo test in this months custom pc you might find useful.

[zhenboy]

so nobody likes the intel setup???

[zhenboy]

ASUS A8N32 and ABIT AN8 32X the only M/Bs support two *ture* 16x pci-e channels in sli mode?

[herulach]

Yes, but that doesnt mean theyre any better. You wont even begin to use that much bandwith.

[kempez]

Gaming = AMD at the mo

Until we really see what Intels new procs can do

I'd go for the New ATI crossfire R580 boards and an X1900XT/XT-X with the chance to add another later

[zhenboy]

'32 PCIE Lanes is pointless! Stop Asking!'

Ok ok... so 16x single/8x sli nf4 boards, DFI is definitely the one to go for then?

[Nox]

ASUS A8N32 and ABIT AN8 32X the only M/Bs support two *ture* 16x pci-e channels in sli mode?

nope, Tyan K8WE for starters. Uses the 'pro' version of the nf4 chipset too, twice.

Nox

[herulach]

'32 PCIE Lanes is pointless! Stop Asking!'

Ok ok... so 16x single/8x sli nf4 boards, DFI is definitely the one to go for then?

That wasnt directed at you personally, it just seems that ive said that same thing about 7 or 8 times in the last couple of weeks.

But yeah, if i had the budget id get a DFI (prob the expert or venus (iirc)), or for a bit less budget, but still great oc/ing EPoX 9NPA+ SLI

[kempez]

Yeah EpoX are good boards for the money

[zhenboy]

Thanks guys...

Im going to do some search on eBay/Scan/Ebuyer/OC now lol

[BUFF]

I know that I come across as an Abit fanboi (despite having more boards from other mfrs they are my favs) but the Abit AN8 32X is going down a storm. Even a no. of converts from the ASUS A8N32 have said that the Abit is better.
If I was prepared to spend ~£130 for an SLI board that is what I would buy.
Alternatively spend £80 on a dual x8SLI & wait until we have the cards/apps/CPUs that can actually derive some benefit from dual x16...

[zhenboy]

Thanks BUFF