ASUS A8n-e Premium NForce 4

[geogecko]

I didn't see the picture, I found the same manual you did, off the fujitsu site. From the Dutch manual, I was able to see the table that listed the features of the board, which still happen to be in English.

 

[marky9074]

There is an english manual in there!

 

[geogecko]

Duh, the UK one. Sorry. That would have made things easier. Anyway, it still looks as if it's an older nForce4 board (non-Ultra). It's a bit odd that it's not on ASUS's web site. It could be that it's for system builder's or OEM's only, and it's not sold to the general public. That's the only thing I can think of.

All I can say, is that ASUS has about 3 weeks to come out with this new board, before I go elsewhere. I can't wait forever.

 

[marky9074]

http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce4_family.html

This is a handy link for those like me that have started the thread at the end....

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

It's most likely an OEM board.. that would explain the "-FM" in its name.

I don't get it, ASUS has about 40 (ok, a little less) LGA775 boards and their selection of socket 939/PCI-E is very limited at the moment.

 

[geogecko]

Yeah, you would think as popular as their A8N-SLI board was, they would be jumping at the chance to make more nForce4 boards. Seems strange to me, when everyone else has an SLI, Ultra, and Non-Ultra board out there, or about to be out.

 

[marky9074]

DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D (Socket 939)

Anybody considered this?

 

[geogecko]

Depends on what you want. It's a very nice board, but for people that are looking to use a board in an HTPC, it doesn't provide much in the way for those. The reason I say that, is that it only has 2 regular PCI slots. To my knowledge, no one makes TV tuner/encoder cards that are PCI-E. While this may change, it's not the norm right now. 3 regular PCI slots is probably a minimum anyone would want to have, as this allows you to have a couple regular TV capture cards, and maybe an HDTV capture card. You could argue that you could use a PVR-500, and then 2 slots would be enough. But, then there are those that want the modem in order to get CallerID information displayed on their TV...

The DFI also has an active cooling solution. The only other thing that may be an issue for some, is that there are no parallel or serial ports external to the motherboard (probably a PCI breakout panel, which would be fine).

So, yes it's an option, depending on what you are looking for. Mine will go in an HTPC, so the passive cooling is a big deal, especially when looking at active cooling, and looking at it from the effect of, "how many slots will this Zalman block me from using if I replace the active solution with the passive one?" The SLI version of the ASUS board is probably my #2 option, just because installing the Zalman wouldn't block either 16x PCI-E slot, and the only other ones in question are the 2 1x slots in between the GPU slots. (That way, I get all 3 of my PCI slots.)

 

[marky9074]

Refresh my memory as my head is spinning now. So apart from the Wifi G and Passive Heat sink, what is worth hanging on for the premium? Just get the SLI and stick the Zalman on. Wifi G is available on a PCI card from Asus. SATA2 support is the same on both the Ultra & SLI chipsets.

The price we are seeing at overclockers for the premium will probably be the same as the SLI + Zalman + Wifi G card?

Mark

 

[geogecko]

You pay a premium for the SLI version. I don't think that is a "real" price for the Premium. Yeah, when it first comes out, maybe, but it should be closer to the other offerings at this point, somewhere around US$150. So, you're paying at least $30-50 for something that may not be needed.

I don't really care about the WiFi, as I probably won't even use it, considering my router is located right above the TV in my setup. It's just the fact that it was going to come factory passively cooled, that is nice. Requires less work on my part, and if something goes wrong with the MB, it means I have to first remove the Zalman, reinstall their fan, and then send the board back. Otherwise they may blame the problem on the aftermarket cooler, when it may not be related.

I have no need for the board, for at least 3 weeks, so there is no point in buying it now. I just figure, if the Premium comes out in this time frame, then I'll go for it, otherwise, you are right, might as well just get the SLI version... I have heard that someone is using the exact same board in the case I'm getting, so it may be a better way to go with anyway, as the road will be paved before me!

 

[Mari0Br0s]

What other MB has the nForce4 Ultra chipset ? I've only found the MSI K8N Neo4 Plantium, but I don't known much board company!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Not sure if this has been posted but you can pre-order it in the UK:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/ASUS_Socket_939.html

 

[geogecko]

It was posted, but it's interesting to note that they removed the expected receive date of Feb of 2005...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Looks like it'll be the most expensive of their NF4 boards. Think it will have less issue than the SLI - Deluxe? I just got my SLI- D in the mail yesterday but wonder if I should wait for this or even go DFI NF Ultra.

 

[geogecko]

I'm sure the price will drop when it is out for a week or two. There is no reason it should be more than $160US. I may be going with the SLI Deluxe as well, if this one doesn't come out in time.

I would hope that they have worked most of the bugs out of their nForce4 boards, since they've had the A8N-SLI out for such a while now, but who knows.

 

[vwgeek]

ATACOM reports it as being in stock now! Their website lists it, and I received email confirmation from them that it is in stock ($168.95 USD):

Asus A8N-e at ATACOM

(of course the picture shows the A8V-e) :roll:


EastLuna expects availability on 3/15/2005:

EastLuna coming soon items

 

[Capt Caveman]

Thanks!

Edit:
Is it supposed to have passive or active NB cooler?

Edit2:
The A8N-3 bios is now posted on ASUS support website.

Edit3:
Just got the A8N-SLI Deluxe lastnight in the mail. Do I keep it or be a guinea pig and order the A8N-e for wifi and hopes that it doesn't have the o/c issues as the SLI?

 

[vwgeek]

Well if the EastLuna picture is correct (and it looks like it is), then it's got an active NB cooler.

 

[geogecko]

That is good news about the A8N-E, however, most people here have been looking for the Premium version of this board (A8N-E PREMIUM).

But, if they are saying 3/15, then possibly we will hear more about the Premium (or less), around the beginning of March.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I believe this is the premium b/c it has wifi.

 

[Capt Caveman]

The eastluna pic, shows a PCI-e x4 slot also.

 

[vwgeek]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Just got the A8N-SLI Deluxe lastnight in the mail. Do I keep it or be a guinea pig and order the A8N-e for wifi and hopes that it doesn't have the o/c issues as the SLI?

Be a guinea pig and post your review, so I can know how it performs ...

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'm really tempted. I got the last piece of my build today. But like I said earlier, I'm between the A8N-SLI D, A8n-e (premium? at atacom) or a DFI Ultra. The A8n-e is the most expensive and only has wifi as the differentiator. Ugh!!! Gotta think about this...

 

[LrngToFly]

I believe the Premium has 8 SATA ports where the regular has only 4, correct? This is why I'm interested in the Premium.

It had better cost less than their SLI- this is why I've been waiting on it. I'm not a gamer and there's no way I'm buying 2 video cards (unless I want 4 LCD panels! I am an avid dual monitor user- to have 4 19 inch LCDs would be cool! But man, that would take quite a desk!)

Now if the Rev E Athlon 64 processors (Venice core) w/ SSE3 and better dual channel memory controller would come out, I'll make a purchase....

 

[geogecko]

Yeah, the Premium should have 8 SATA ports, and be 3.0Gb/s compliant.