Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (
More info?)
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 11:21:10 -0500, nospam@needed.com (Paul) wrote:
>In article <ZdLOd.11819$wK.3968@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>, Robert
>James <""r.james\"@NO$mindspring$SPAM.com"> wrote:
>
>> I have noticed that some retailers are selling 2 versions of the
>> A8N-SLI. The non-deluxe version is cheeper by a fair amount (like $50
>> USD), yet I can't tell any difference between the two reading the specs.
>> Can someone please help me understand this?
>
>The Deluxe adds:
>
> SIL3114 Four channel SATA RAID.
snip
I'm interested in installing a couple of Plextor SATA OPTICAL drives
in my new A8N computer. Will the extra SATA controller give me any
advantage in my quest, or is the Silicon Image controller limited to
hard drives? How about the built-in NF4 SATA controller -- can it
handle optical drives?
The Plextor SATA Compatibility List
(http://www.plextor.com/english/support/media_712SA.htm)
is not of much help because no NF4 mobo is listed, and there are
variations in results with SI controllers used on other boards. It
looks like SI3112 and SI3114 controllers give good results on some
motherboards and not on others.
(The subject is kind of moot because, as of this date, the A8N SLI
Deluxe seems to cost a few pence less than the A8N SLI, so I see no
reason not to buy the Deluxe, but I'd still like to have the answer to
the above questions if anyone knows.)
Ron