Asus A7N8X Deluxe (nForce2) NOT recommended !!

[Copenhagen]

Unfortunately there is no BIOS available for this board, which unlocks the multipliers on Thoroughbred B's (XP2400+, XP2600+, XP2700+ and XP2800+). Due to this fact, I advice potential buyers which plan to use the motherboard together with a Thoroughbred B, to choose another motherboard.



<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[Black_Cat]

Don't you have to connect the L1 bridges to change the multiplier?

To start press any key. Where's the "any" key? --Homer Simpson.

 

[Copenhagen]

Don't you have to connect the L1 bridges to change the multiplier?

Other mainboards allows you to change the multiplier WITHOUT connecting bridges. The advantage is obvious, you don't run the risk of damaging the chip and you don't void your warranty.


<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[Rob423]

If you don't plan on Over Clocking, then who gives a sh!t buddy..

This board is HIGHLIY reccomended! by me and by half of this community!

This Community is like a Second Family!!

 

[Copenhagen]

If you don't plan on Over Clocking, then who gives a sh!t buddy..

OK, I'll re-phrase:

If you plan to overclock your Thoroughbred B, without messing around with the L-bridges, then the Asus A7N8X is <b>NOT</b> RECOMMENDED !!!

Also if you plan to run your CPU at STOCK frequency but with a higher FSB and lower multiplier, this board is <b>NOT</b> recommended !!

<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[Crashman]

Er, can't you just raise the bus speed?

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

 

[Copenhagen]

Er, can't you just raise the bus speed?

Yes, but to really tweak this board, you need to be able to MAX the FSB by lowering the multiplier and run the memory in synchronous dual-channel mode.

<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[paulj]

I don't think overclocking is covered by the warranty. If AMD sees damage consistent with overclocking they will not warranty the product regardless of what you did with the bridges.

So overclockers are on their own dime.

<font color=red>The solution may be obvious, but I can't see it for the smoke coming off my processor.</font color=red>

 

[Copenhagen]

I don't think overclocking is covered by the warranty.

Sure, but if there's no visual signs of abuse, it's hard to determine the exact cause of death. But one thing is sure, if you have fiddled with the L-bridges, the warranty will not cover.

<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[Rob423]

this is still a rock solid performing board...

it's highly reccomended.. its jam packed with great features, and the chipset is very stable


This Community is like a Second Family!!

 

[Copenhagen]

this is still a rock solid performing board...

it's highly reccomended.. its jam packed with great features, and the chipset is very stable

It's not too bad, I admit, but the unlocking feature that other motherboards implements is still missing, and in my opinion it's worth a lot more than some of the other, so called, "overclocking features" of the board. Asus should really do something about this, other manufacturers doesn't seem to have problems implementing it.

<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[paulj]

So Tom's Hardware must have been incorrect or ignorant when they say:

"In addition, the three candidates offer overclocking options. Chaintech offers Vcore at up to 2.150 V (great for cryo-cooling), while it is missing an option to alter the multiplier. The same applies to the Leadtek board, which only comes with rudimentary options. Asus goes the straight way, and includes all the options you may want. "

This comes from this <A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/mainboard/20021111/nforce2-16.html" target="_new">article</A>. That is not meant to be sarcastic. This article is slightly misleading to not mention this and give you the impression that the Asus board gives you everything.

<font color=red>The solution may be obvious, but I can't see it for the smoke coming off my processor.</font color=red>

 

[Rob423]

nice post paulj

the board has everything i want!

This Community is like a Second Family!!

 

[Black_Cat]

If you're that much into overclocking then connect the L1 bridges! Or better yet, get a P4.

To start press any key. Where's the "any" key? --Homer Simpson.

 

[Rob423]

can't say it anybetter!

This Community is like a Second Family!!

 

[khha4113]

Unfortunately there is no BIOS available for this board, which unlocks the multipliers on Thoroughbred B's (XP2400+, XP2600+, XP2700+ and XP2800+).

So <b><A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.html?i=1759&p=9" target="_new"><font color=blue>AnandTech</A></b></font color=blue> is incorrect when saying this?
<b>This was made possible by a great feature the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe affords (as do all nForce2 motherboards), and that's the ability to adjust the CPU multiplier in the BIOS without having to do physical modification to the CPU. Therefore, all you have to do is install your multiplier-locked Athlon XP CPU into your nForce2 motherboard and voila; you can adjust all the available multipliers to your heart's content. However, make sure you purchase the right type of Athlon XP; only Thoroughbred-B processors have this capability on nForce2 motherboards. You cannot change the multiplier of a locked Palomino or Thoroughbred-A processor in any of the six nForce2 motherboards being reviewed today.</b>

Good or Bad have no meaning at all, depends on what your point of view is.

 

[eden]

No he wants multiplier tweaking, to achieve high FSB speeds. P4s don't unlock.

--
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=faq&notfound=1&code=1" target="_new">The THGC Photo Album, send your pics and see others'!</A>

 

[LtBlue14]

yeah but for overclocking in general he probably should have chosen a P4 platform
plus look at his sig "Clockspeed will make the difference...in the end"
perhaps he should have chosen P4!

i don't like the original title of this thread

--------------

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=faq&notfound=1&code=1" target="_new">mubla otohp eht ni ecaf ruoy teg</A>

 

[fiask0]

Before i go on my rant, Im not sure which version of thoroughbred core I have.. but I have an 1800+ Tbred. Now.. the board detects it as a 2000+ with all the proper bus speeds and multipliers. If this board doesn't overclock tbred's.. why is it overclocking mine.. *an honest question, not a sarcastic response*

 

[Copenhagen]

This comes from this article. That is not meant to be sarcastic. This article is slightly misleading to not mention this and give you the impression that the Asus board gives you everything.

I know, I read that article BEFORE making my buy, now it seems that either I've been mislead by Patrick Schmid or Asus was clever enough to give the reviewer a "special" version too boost sales. Either way, I'm very dissatisfied.


<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[Copenhagen]

If you're that much into overclocking then connect the L1 bridges! Or better yet, get a P4.

No, I just want ALL the features that was "promised" in the THG review. Without this essential feature, it's not possible to push the envelope of my XP2400+ / nForce2 combo without fiddling with the bridges.

On the P4 issue, if an improved BIOS doesn't show up, I will consider my first AMD purchase a big mistake. It's just a lot easier to tweak a P4 and you don't really need to change the multiplier to get the most out of the board.

<i>/Copenhagen - Clockspeed will make the difference... in the end</i>

 

[eden]

Yes however a P4 would be more than deadly if it had multiplier unlocking no?
And that is exactly what you're trying to get off the AMD one. I have linked many times to you all how DDR400+200MHZ FSB DDR for Athlons can be a very powerful combo, and added to nForce 2, it is an even more powerful combo.
I hope you can be patient, and either call Asus and demand a refund for the blatant lie or keep researching until you give up, return the board and get one from another company. Just don't give up until you really have exhausted all possibilities.

--
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=faq&notfound=1&code=1" target="_new">The THGC Photo Album, send your pics and see others'!</A>

 

[zabomb4163]

old news. Tom doesn't know beans about anything and half the benchmarks are photoshopped. the "Unlocked P4" for example was
BS it had a willamette serial number.

or the 3.06 beating a 2800XP in 3dmark. one might think that if he faked that benchmark he would try and not not it blow up in his face.

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20021114/p4_306ht-12.html
note the score of the
3.06 in 3dmark- 15620
and athlon 2800XP - 15279

now a few weeks later.
http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20021218/vgacharts-05.html
3.06- 15373
2600XP- 15497

look at the score of the 2600 in the first article 13766
the 2600XP is 9% slower than the 2800+ but if you add 9% to the score the 2600 got in the later review the AMD beats intel by a huge margin.

-lesson learned. there will still be those who dispute this

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115648&highlight=Toms+hardware

ihttp://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/ some serious help <

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Before blaming THG, blame yourself.

THG used AXP 2700+ (333 MHz FSB) in VGA charts. And you are reffering the benchmark results of AXP 2600+ (266 MHz FSB). In P4 3.06 GHz review, THG used PC1066 RDRAM. But in VGA charts, THG used i845PE chipset and PC2700 DDR.

Let us know what is the Best Chipset of 2002 in your eye.<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=26410#26410" target="_new"> Click </A>

 

[zabomb4163]

geez dude you really don't think do you. how did the 2700+ miraculously get faster than the 2800+ previously reviewed by Tom compared to the chip made by Tom's master i mean Intel. Why didn't he upgrade his charts if he wants to have the most accurate benchmarks. see the light dude. he freaking lies about half the stuff on the site to please intel. like that hyperthreading video. its sad. check out the link in my signature.

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115648&highlight=Toms+hardware

ihttp://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/ some serious help <