New 939 build Motherboard - ASUS or ABIT?

[EtheAv8r]

I am about to build a new AMD Socket 939 system and have a final choice of motherboard to make - I had settled on the ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe as I want a fast, quiet, stable and reliable system - but I am findings a number of forum references to it being unreliable - a number of DOA reports, lots of failures after a few months, and also of VERY 'picky' over RAM it will and will not work with, so that I am edging back towards the ABIT AN8-32X.

I plan to do a little OCing - but not extreme say 10% maybe 15% max - I want day-in day-out stability and reliability. I am completely open on the graphics card at the moment (ATI or nVidia) and won't probably go SLI - but I like the spec of the board in terms of layout, voltage stability, heat sinks instead of fans on North/South bridge for quiet operation, claims that this board will enable lower case temps and is very fast in standard configuration.

I need to know if this like the iPOD Nano issue (small number of problems, vociferous complainers, silent satisfied users) - or are there a REAL issue with ASUS quality, reliability and (RAM) flexibility such that I should not buy ASUS???

An honest answer would be appreciated - I am enthusiast in-so-much as I build my own systems (ABIT so far...), but not that I fiddle constantly, I want to buy, build and use reliably and for a good time (3 years + minimum). Flight Sims & Digital Photography will be main 'heavy' use.

Case will be Antec p180, PSU Seasonic S12-600

Many thanks in anticipation of your input

[atmadden]

I was always an Abit fan never tried Asus but had a bit of a nightmare with an NF7-s board I had the first revision and it was awful just wouldn't run dual channel stable. I am using a MSI K8N sli platinum and haven't had any problems with it great performance and stability. Currently have an opteron 165 at 2.84ghz rock solid stable over 1 ghz over stock.

[RavenNight]

I've been really impressed with my Asus board, its been very reliable, I've recommended them to lots of people and used them in several other computers without a single fault.

[EtheAv8r]

atmadden - interesting - I am currently running on an ABIT NF7-S2 and it is generally very stable - had problems with data corruption copying from one sata HD to another, and a few reboots ripping CDs, but generally I am pleased with it. It goes to one of my daughters so I get to build me a replacement!

[Hans Voralberg]

NF7-S first revision was quite buggy, the second and third is good and made it the socket 462 king

[BUFF]

" I want day-in day-out stability and reliability. I am completely open on the graphics card at the moment (ATI or nVidia) and won't probably go SLI"
so why spend £140 on an SLIX16 board when an Ultra ~£70 will do?

<broken record>
btw my AN8 has been excellent.
</broken record>

[Agent]

Yup, AN8 is a solid board. Built pretty much all my S939 systems around it.

[DanceswithUnix]

I think I have heard horror stories about every single motherboard maker.

Personally, if I want stability I go for Asus. Abit seem OK though (have used 2 of their motherboards + 2 of their graphics cards and just wish they would use better or fewer fans on the damned things) so I suspect you will be delighted with either purchase.

[kasavien]

i have the asus standard edition A8N32-SLI standard at the moment in my new system and it is very stable, my question would be would you use the extra features on the deluxe? as far as graphics cards go get the card that matches the chipset - nvidia chipset, nvidia card etc. that way you always have the choice to stick in another card if you ever feel the need in a year or two.

Hope this helps

Andy

[kalniel]

I would also prefer to go with ASUS out of the two, but I'd try and make sure to get a board with the passive cooling.

[Lee H]

Another vote for Asus here.

I was waiting for an Abit SLI motherboard when I built my system, but they did not arrive and the cash was burning a huge hole in my wallet ( it was a Friday - it would have been PC bits or get the champagne flowing when out clubbing ) so I bit the bullet and bought the Asus A8N-SLI motherboard.

I've been extremely pleased with its stability. Yes there was a few issues when I first loaded MCE2005 and I had a range of BSOD's but these were fixed with more mature drivers from the nvidia website, specfically designed for MCE2005.

As for OC'ing - the asus motherboard software has an "overclock" function, and I used to use this at 5 or 10% until I had time to go and fiddle with the HHT and memory speeds

[shaithis]

The only issue with the Asus I have is that the non-Deluxe/Premium models don't seem to reach a very high FSB if you are overclocking.

Mine reaches 245 (and is amazingly stable there) but at 250 it crashes like crazy.

[dangel]

I'm happy with mine - it has a very good multi phase power system which means better overclocking/stability in my eyes. The layout sucks a bit tho.

[EtheAv8r]

Buff - the reason I am willing to shell out for a &#163;140 board rather than a &#163;70 is that I want the Passive heatpipe cooling on the chipset to replace the noisy fan, and I want the extra stability of the multiphase power distribution system - plus it gives headroom to expand my horisons in the future. Plus at my age - even with a wife, 3 teenage daughters, and various hobbies to support, - I can afford it, so might as well go for it!

I am also planning to use:
RAM - Corsair XMS-3500LL PRO 2x1Gb TWINX or possibly TWINX2048-4000PT
PSU - Seasonic S12-600 PSU.
HSF - Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro
Case - Antec P180

Still open to final CPU choice (4400+ dual core perhaps).... Maybe Opteron???

[dangel]

if you're going for ram with good headroom, you may as well save a few bucks and go for a cheaper x2 and overclock the nuts off it. Also the x2's pre-4400 are a bit cooler too due to lower power consumption.

[TooNice]

atmadden - interesting - I am currently running on an ABIT NF7-S2 and it is generally very stable - had problems with data corruption copying from one sata HD to another[...]

Wait, you mean that I am not the only one experiencing this?

-- for Abit on this one... It was a major minus for me, since I copied my entire HD to a newer one, sold the old one, only to find that some of the files didn't copy properly. Grrr...

The board on my first PC (PII) was an Asus board (super stable - I guess the BX chipset had something to do with it). I went for Abit for Socket A. Now I am going Asus again (939). Almost went DFI but I decided to go for the tried and tested. Maybe once DFI introduce heatpipes to their line of motherboard