Hey, everyone. I'd just like to post some of my experiences with this motherboard. I see a lot of people replying to A8N-SLI threads with negative comments and things ala "this is the worst mobo ever" or "I've never had so much trouble with a motherboard in my life", etc. These are just some of my conclusions on this motherboard, and hey, maybe it will help you, too!
Power Supplies
The A8N-SLI is obviously very picky about power supplies. Before you lay the smackdown on the board, make sure you get a propper PSU. I'm currently using an Athena power 500watt power supply with 22amps on the +12V (which has worked very well for me; I'll give my whole system specs later on). There is a very good thread around here that specifies what power supplies are best.
Memory
The A8N-SLI is also semi-picky on the memory. Even though the Asus list of "approved" memory vendors is lengthy, there still remain many modules that would probably not work with the motherboard. With this said, I'd also like to address the overclocking issue. I have a Corsair TWINX512-4000PT kit (the cool silver one). I successfully overclocked it on a pre-1004 BIOS to 250 MHz (on 1T timings, yes 1T, with a multiplier of 9.0x, and HT of 4x, and 1:1 ratio or 400MHz); with the 1004 beta BIOS, I got the memory up to 260MHz (multiplier of 9.5x, and HT of 4x, obviously on 1T, and 1:1 ratio or 400MHz).
CPU
The most that I overclocked my 90nm 3200+ AMD 64 on the A8N-SLI Deluxe was 2.6GHz. This was done on 2T memory timings, but hey: you give some, you lose some. Anything above that, and it wouldn't boot into Windows (sometimes randomly reboot). That was with the pre-1004 BIOS. I haven't tried to simply max out my CPU with 1004 just yet, but keep it locked.
VGA + SLI
Even though I don't run in SLI at the moment, there is an issue with the EZ-Selector card. Make sure that you can fit it in properly. A number of times my computer would give me a VGA error simply because the SLI EZ-Selector card was a bit off (the pins were not touching, I suppose).
SATA
There are problems with Maxtor's, and I'm sure nVidia and Asus know about that. Also please note that pre-SP2 Windows XP does not recognize 200GB hard drives (I had about 80gb missing when I originally installed Windows). After you update Windows, though, you get the full space.
Windows and nForce4
There are issues with the nForce4 Chipset drivers and WindowsXP (Service Pack 2). I reinstalled Windows about 6 or 7 times this past week, simply because my Windows would not boot after installing the Chipset Drivers from Asus' CD. This is a problem (it might just be me, but I doubt it). If I don't install the nForce PCI Memory controller, everything seems to work fine. Please reply to this. I'm just wondering if other peope are having the same problem.
My Specs
AMD 64 3200+ 90nm
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
Corsair TWINX512-4000PT (rated at 3 - 4 - 4 - 10, running at 3 - 3 - 3 - 8)
PCI-Express BFG 6600 GT OCX (only one)
Kingwin AWC-1 Water cooling system (28° - 30° Centigrade idle, 35° when stress testing)
200GB Western Digital SATA
Phillips CD-RW 52X
Screenshots
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/cpuz1.JPG
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/cpuz2.JPG
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/sandra1.JPG
Interesting Facts
I was able to tighten my memory timings to 3 - 3 - 3 - 5, but I can't achieve that with the 1004 BIOS.
I was able to get about 7800 bandwidth in SiSoft Sandra with a pre-1004 BIOS, but, unfortunately I forgot what the method to my maddness was. I think it was a clever combination between the HT Multiplier, the memory latencies, and the FSB, but I can't replicate the results (running at 260MHz memory just gives me about a 200-400MB/s boost. I will probably take some screenshots of that soon.
I run with the memory timings at either 1.90v or 1.95v.
Overall
I love the A8N-SLI Deluxe. Not only does it look good, but it's very stable. Plus, I like it because it gives you alot of overclocking ability. Personally, I beleive that it will give the new LanParty a run for it's money, especially with BIOSes coming out very rapidly. Asus delivered a top of the line board, in my opinion. It maybe be nit-picky, but it's worth every penny.
Power Supplies
The A8N-SLI is obviously very picky about power supplies. Before you lay the smackdown on the board, make sure you get a propper PSU. I'm currently using an Athena power 500watt power supply with 22amps on the +12V (which has worked very well for me; I'll give my whole system specs later on). There is a very good thread around here that specifies what power supplies are best.
Memory
The A8N-SLI is also semi-picky on the memory. Even though the Asus list of "approved" memory vendors is lengthy, there still remain many modules that would probably not work with the motherboard. With this said, I'd also like to address the overclocking issue. I have a Corsair TWINX512-4000PT kit (the cool silver one). I successfully overclocked it on a pre-1004 BIOS to 250 MHz (on 1T timings, yes 1T, with a multiplier of 9.0x, and HT of 4x, and 1:1 ratio or 400MHz); with the 1004 beta BIOS, I got the memory up to 260MHz (multiplier of 9.5x, and HT of 4x, obviously on 1T, and 1:1 ratio or 400MHz).
CPU
The most that I overclocked my 90nm 3200+ AMD 64 on the A8N-SLI Deluxe was 2.6GHz. This was done on 2T memory timings, but hey: you give some, you lose some. Anything above that, and it wouldn't boot into Windows (sometimes randomly reboot). That was with the pre-1004 BIOS. I haven't tried to simply max out my CPU with 1004 just yet, but keep it locked.
VGA + SLI
Even though I don't run in SLI at the moment, there is an issue with the EZ-Selector card. Make sure that you can fit it in properly. A number of times my computer would give me a VGA error simply because the SLI EZ-Selector card was a bit off (the pins were not touching, I suppose).
SATA
There are problems with Maxtor's, and I'm sure nVidia and Asus know about that. Also please note that pre-SP2 Windows XP does not recognize 200GB hard drives (I had about 80gb missing when I originally installed Windows). After you update Windows, though, you get the full space.
Windows and nForce4
There are issues with the nForce4 Chipset drivers and WindowsXP (Service Pack 2). I reinstalled Windows about 6 or 7 times this past week, simply because my Windows would not boot after installing the Chipset Drivers from Asus' CD. This is a problem (it might just be me, but I doubt it). If I don't install the nForce PCI Memory controller, everything seems to work fine. Please reply to this. I'm just wondering if other peope are having the same problem.
My Specs
AMD 64 3200+ 90nm
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
Corsair TWINX512-4000PT (rated at 3 - 4 - 4 - 10, running at 3 - 3 - 3 - 8)
PCI-Express BFG 6600 GT OCX (only one)
Kingwin AWC-1 Water cooling system (28° - 30° Centigrade idle, 35° when stress testing)
200GB Western Digital SATA
Phillips CD-RW 52X
Screenshots
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/cpuz1.JPG
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/cpuz2.JPG
http://www.teamstuds.com/upload/sandra1.JPG
Interesting Facts
I was able to tighten my memory timings to 3 - 3 - 3 - 5, but I can't achieve that with the 1004 BIOS.
I was able to get about 7800 bandwidth in SiSoft Sandra with a pre-1004 BIOS, but, unfortunately I forgot what the method to my maddness was. I think it was a clever combination between the HT Multiplier, the memory latencies, and the FSB, but I can't replicate the results (running at 260MHz memory just gives me about a 200-400MB/s boost. I will probably take some screenshots of that soon.
I run with the memory timings at either 1.90v or 1.95v.
Overall
I love the A8N-SLI Deluxe. Not only does it look good, but it's very stable. Plus, I like it because it gives you alot of overclocking ability. Personally, I beleive that it will give the new LanParty a run for it's money, especially with BIOSes coming out very rapidly. Asus delivered a top of the line board, in my opinion. It maybe be nit-picky, but it's worth every penny.