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Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)
I'm finally thinking about upgrading (my AMD750 is finally getting flaky) so
I've just started looking at Toms Hardware, AnandTech, etc. to see what the
current technology is. Looks like I should get a 939 MB (I want to stick
with AMD) and the A8N-SLI Deluxe looks fairly nice. I doubt any of my old
components would be of much use other than a recently acquired CD/DVD
burner, so the rest of what I buy will be new too (2 Gig ram, new PSU, etc)
So, here are my questions:
1. I really don't have any need for SLI (dual cards for a single 3-D
output). What I would like is to move to being able to have multiple
monitors because I think that would make my work easier. Does this MB allow
me to have a main card for 3-D games and whatnot, and another cheap card to
power just my office applications in 2-D? The power card would probably also
be used to render video (DVD playback, etc) as well.
2. Is there a certain board revision I should get, at minimum? If I'm
ordering online (newegg, for example) will they let me specify the minimum
board revision I'm willing to accept?
3. What is the current price/performance sweet spot on CPUs for the 939
socket? I'm not planning on overclocking anything, I want a very stable
machine. Also willing to consider a dual-core CPU if they are priced
accordingly with their performance, but my guess is they are too new and
will be above the sweet spot.
4. I've never needed RAID before, don't think I suddenly need it now. Any
issues with just leaving the HD's running as separate drives?
5. I do have a Soundblaster Platinum from some years back- is the sound
system on the MB comparable, or should I plan to switch the SB Platinum over
to the new system? I'm not an audiophile, but I did kinda like having the
midi ports. I could live without them, but if the SB Platinum is better,
that would be one more reason to switch it over to the new box if it even
fits the slots (I don't remember what it is, offhand, but I think it is
PCI).
6. How easy/hard would it be to set the MB up with multiple boot drives, so
when I need to work on older stuff (I have to develop some stuff on
Win98/Office97 for backward compatability, because that is a boatload easier
than me learning how to late bind my VBA code) how would I set it up so I
could /easily/ select what drive to boot from, WinXP Pro on the main drive
and Win98 on an alternate drive? They have to be physically separate drives
because sometimes I take the Win98 HD to another location. Alternative: keep
my old PC in the corner and use it when I have to, with a lot of hassle
switching out cables and stuff.
I'm sure I'll have more questions as I start assembling the order, but your
answers on these will at least let me know whether I'm making the right MB
choice for my current needs.
Thanks!!
Keith
I'm finally thinking about upgrading (my AMD750 is finally getting flaky) so
I've just started looking at Toms Hardware, AnandTech, etc. to see what the
current technology is. Looks like I should get a 939 MB (I want to stick
with AMD) and the A8N-SLI Deluxe looks fairly nice. I doubt any of my old
components would be of much use other than a recently acquired CD/DVD
burner, so the rest of what I buy will be new too (2 Gig ram, new PSU, etc)
So, here are my questions:
1. I really don't have any need for SLI (dual cards for a single 3-D
output). What I would like is to move to being able to have multiple
monitors because I think that would make my work easier. Does this MB allow
me to have a main card for 3-D games and whatnot, and another cheap card to
power just my office applications in 2-D? The power card would probably also
be used to render video (DVD playback, etc) as well.
2. Is there a certain board revision I should get, at minimum? If I'm
ordering online (newegg, for example) will they let me specify the minimum
board revision I'm willing to accept?
3. What is the current price/performance sweet spot on CPUs for the 939
socket? I'm not planning on overclocking anything, I want a very stable
machine. Also willing to consider a dual-core CPU if they are priced
accordingly with their performance, but my guess is they are too new and
will be above the sweet spot.
4. I've never needed RAID before, don't think I suddenly need it now. Any
issues with just leaving the HD's running as separate drives?
5. I do have a Soundblaster Platinum from some years back- is the sound
system on the MB comparable, or should I plan to switch the SB Platinum over
to the new system? I'm not an audiophile, but I did kinda like having the
midi ports. I could live without them, but if the SB Platinum is better,
that would be one more reason to switch it over to the new box if it even
fits the slots (I don't remember what it is, offhand, but I think it is
PCI).
6. How easy/hard would it be to set the MB up with multiple boot drives, so
when I need to work on older stuff (I have to develop some stuff on
Win98/Office97 for backward compatability, because that is a boatload easier
than me learning how to late bind my VBA code) how would I set it up so I
could /easily/ select what drive to boot from, WinXP Pro on the main drive
and Win98 on an alternate drive? They have to be physically separate drives
because sometimes I take the Win98 HD to another location. Alternative: keep
my old PC in the corner and use it when I have to, with a lot of hassle
switching out cables and stuff.
I'm sure I'll have more questions as I start assembling the order, but your
answers on these will at least let me know whether I'm making the right MB
choice for my current needs.
Thanks!!
Keith