About to Order.....

[darrensen]

Right, im about to place my order for my CPU and MOBO.

I've decided on the CPU but still not 100% on the mobo

DFI LanParty UT NF4 SLI-D

OR

Asus A8N-SLi nForce4 SLi

I will be overclocking at some point and i am aware that the DFI is better at this, but also at some point i will be using SLi and the DFI mobo has very little room between the 2 cards. Where as the Asus has 2 PCI slots between the PCI-E, creating more beathing space for the Graphics Cards.

I will be using a 3700 San Diego cpu and i know some people have had issues with the DFI, but a bios update fixes the problem and also i have heard that you need to install the OS with only 1 stick of ram. I havnt heard of any issues with the Asus.

I will be using this machine for gaming and gernal work use.

Lets hear your thoughts............

Darren

[Nox]

I went for the DFI.

think you loose access to the x4 pcie slot on the asus if you go sli mode?

Nox

[darrensen]

it came top in custom pc........the DFI came 2nd only just.

Did you have any trouble with the DFI and what cpu are you using?

[nvening]

You have to only use 1 stick of ram when installing?
Also how are you going to get a new bios flashed if it will not read the cpu?

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Also how are you going to get a new bios flashed if it will not read the cpu?

Mine was fine with 2 sticks of ram, 2 failed installs then it installed fine and i flashed it via winflash in XP.

[nvening]

two failed installs, why? Something to do with the ram CPU or just general teething problems?

[darrensen]

So will it read the cpu from out of the box......to winflash i thought you needed the OS loaded?

[Clstrphbc_donut]

two failed installs, why? Something to do with the ram CPU or just general teething problems?

Probably the CPU considering the bios wasnt the right one to run a SD in?

So will it read the cpu from out of the box......

Kinda of, not 100% stable. Maybe i was just lucky to get the install done the 3rd time.

to winflash i thought you needed the OS loaded?

Thats what i did, got it into XP then flashed it. I did this as i couldnt find a floppy drive and couldnt be bothered going out to buy one.

[darrensen]

doesnt the DFI mobo come with its own bios update software?

[StormPC]

I prefer the MSI if you are running a San Diego. Works fine even if you don't have the latest BIOS.

This one here...

[nvening]

Obviously you got the system to post with the SD then.
Will a new DFI ultra-d board (from cpucity) have a San Diego compatable bios in it?

[Smokey21]

id go dfi. best board ever, well after nf3 250gb.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Obviously you got the system to post with the SD then.
Will a new DFI ultra-d board (from cpucity) have a San Diego compatable bios in it?

IIRC the ultra D, SLI-D, and SLI-DR all use the same BIOS. So it SHOULD, not saying it definitely will. But i also got my chip and board from there, so theres a high possibility it will act the same as mine did, post, but not be stable.

[StormPC]

Obviously you got the system to post with the SD then.
Will a new DFI ultra-d board (from cpucity) have a San Diego compatable bios in it?

If your board ships with 2.18 or newer it will post, but you should upgrade to the latest BIOS if the BIOS it shipped with isn't working the way you like.

Probably it'll ship with 3.10 at least, so it should be fine.

[darrensen]

Ok cheers for all your help lads.....i will place my order for the DFI

Case closed.....