Asus A8V Deluxe vs. MSI K8N Neo2

[Gigantopithecus]

I can't answer the question you just posed, but I can vouch for the ASUS board.

I just went through the same dilemma as you are now, and ended up going with ASUS simply because I've never had any problems whatsoever with anything by ASUS, and have limited experience with MSI.

Honestly, I think it's a push. Go with the cheaper one.

 

[istari101]

I agree with Gigan that Asus has always been a rock of stability. In my experience they have never dissapointed in performance either, and I personally wouldn't buy anything but Asus in the mobo department.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: MadDog31
Well, I'm partially leaning towards MSI again after further research. Any idea why it seems to be winning all of the benchmarks on several different sites (including the reviews on here)? If anyone else is passing thru and reading this, feel free to add some input.

Ian

It uses an nVidia chipset, and not a Via chipset.

 

[FNC Jon]

FOr the MSI-ANTEC issue

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: FNC Jon
I liek the MSI board, I have it my self, there was just one issue with it. If you have an antec powersupply your introuble for both of them unless you sen dit back for an updated version as thier capistor in the truepower versions has a glitch in it. My mis is great stable and awsome for overclocking. Only problem i had was with the antec power supply so i am sending it back as we speak. BUt the asus has the same problem so you cannot use that as a disciion maker.

Hey, what specifically is the "MSI-Antec" issue? I have the K8N Neo2 Plat, and an Antec True 550. I haven't seen any problem there.

ive been doign research goign on other forums here is the link to another foruim ive been on

http://forum.msi.com.tw/thread.php?postid=500614

sorry its kind of long but some MSI duds and I did alot of research and foudn this issue and linked ot other forums and so on. ENjoy man

 

[FNC Jon]

opps dup;icate

 

[FNC Jon]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
I just noticed, AnandTech recomends an "Antec SLK3700-BQE with 350W" with the K8N Neo2 Platinum. So I'm wondering if the incompatibility is just inexperience.

its only an issue with the true serries, the "Antec SLK3700-BQE with 350W" is not a true series to my knowlege

 

[NilknarfLP]

I'm not sure if this is true, but I've heard of problems regarding some ATI video cards and VIA mobos. Seems that the VPU recovery problem happens on the VIA mobos and not nforce mobos. Again, I'm unsure, so if someone could shed some more light on this it'd be nice, because I'm also wondering this. I have an ATI card and a VIA mobos and am suffering the same VPU recovery problem.

 

[FNC Jon]

Originally posted by: NilknarfLP
I'm not sure if this is true, but I've heard of problems regarding some ATI video cards and VIA mobos. Seems that the VPU recovery problem happens on the VIA mobos and not nforce mobos. Again, I'm unsure, so if someone could shed some more light on this it'd be nice, because I'm also wondering this. I have an ATI card and a VIA mobos and am suffering the same VPU recovery problem.

My rig2 is ati and via, no problems with that, and i have not read anything about it. YUou may just have a defective vid card. HAve you tried it in ayone elses machine or re-install the drivers???

 

[Amaroque]

Thanks for looking into that...

One of the main problems with the TrueXXX series is in the +5vsb. On the Abit board, it would cause a continious reboot loop. On the Asus (A7N8X) it would give you problems when entering the cmos setup (freezing), and now with the MSI boards as well.

I've got a True480 going back to Antec now.

So It seems to be tied to the 5v rail. My Antec True550 sits between 5.00 and 5.05 under load.
It would also seem that Antec has it fixed, and that's why I have not had a problem.

The point being, if you are considering this combination of hardware, make sure you have a newer PSU if it's an Antec.

 

[Waylay00]

Originally posted by: NoGodForMe
The MSI can OC more than the Asus, but some kiddies have problems with the board, or F it up (human error) and then send the board back as broken. That's why you hear bad things about the MSI board, when in fact, it's human error. When set up correctly, the MSI is a great OCer.

I have the A8V and it's rock solid, no problems, but I can only OC to 232mz, and can't go higher than that.

In your case, you are not OCing, so I'd say go with the Asus. It even has a way to easily OC where you just pick the percentage you want to go (3%, 5%, 7% or 10%) and the board automatically adjusts everything for you. I've found the best setting for me is 10% over. If you are cooling on air, then you could try 3% over and watch your temps to make sure your CPU doesn't go above 65C at load. You do that with the Asus Probe Monitor program that comes on the driver CD.

If you wanna read all about my setup, go here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/MyBabyTera.htm
It's kind long because I did a bunch of benchmarks, so just scroll past that part and look at the pictures.

OCing the CPU is fun and all that, but in terms of playing HL2, it only gives a few extra frames. Buying a high end video card counts more.

Well how would you go about setting it up "correctly" Are you talking about BIOS settings, hardware settings, or what? Cause I'm about to get this board and was wondering what I needed to do to get it running as best as possible.

 

[MadDog31]

Interesting points, glad to see I'm not the only one in this dilemma.

Ian

 

[FNC Jon]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
Thanks for looking into that...

One of the main problems with the TrueXXX series is in the +5vsb. On the Abit board, it would cause a continious reboot loop. On the Asus (A7N8X) it would give you problems when entering the cmos setup (freezing), and now with the MSI boards as well.

I've got a True480 going back to Antec now.

So It seems to be tied to the 5v rail. My Antec True550 sits between 5.00 and 5.05 under load.
It would also seem that Antec has it fixed, and that's why I have not had a problem.

The point being, if you are considering this combination of hardware, make sure you have a newer PSU if it's an Antec.

no prob man, if you have the kowledge you shoudl share it. SO thats what i am trying to do.

 

[MadDog31]

*bump for the day*

 

[azilaga]

I've owned both.

The A8V I received as a Christmas present from my wife. Rock solid from the start. I know you're not going to overclock, but with stock mobo settings with an OCZ 3700EB, I got my 3000+ A64 all the way up to 300FSB, rock stable. Didn't get to tweak memory settings though. I had to return it because of a bad ethernet controller. I got the K8N Neo2 b/c my local shop was out of the A8V.

I'm not disappointed with the K8N Neo2 either. Had to do more tweaking with it, upgraded the BIOS, to get to the same stability. Also got it running at 300FSB now, pretty solid. I like the features and accessories on this board better....dual ethernet ports, built-in firewall, skinny SATA cables, included rounded ATA and floppy cables.

I think you can't go wrong with either board, but I'd recommend the K8N. Since you won't be oc'ing, it's an overall faster board at stock, according to benchmarks, and the accessories and features top the A8V, IMO.

 

[MadDog31]

I went with the K8N.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Interesting thread.

Was debating between the two myself recently.

 

[zaKKum]

Hi.

I have ASUS A8V Deluxe rev2 mobo, Leadtek A6600GT TDH and i have serious VIA driver issues. It's everytime locking up/rebooting while playing 3D games.

 

[Celesa]

I used follow the ASUS brand motherboard because everyone I bought have been rock solid. The oldest one I have is 9 years old and it is still working!
After numerous review among the nForce 3 boards. I decided to switch to MSI (K8N NEO2 PLA). So what do I think of it? PROBLEMS

I was building a new PC, so I bought a lot of different parts not just the motherboard.
Everything works fine until I started to play 3D games and uses IE. The problem with 3d games are random freezes during game (10 seconds) and on non-graphic intense game like Halflife it crashes the computer (bluescreen) after 5-10 minutes play.
The other problem is with IE, whenever you use your middle mouse to scroll a website (quickly from top to buttom) it will crashes the computer!!!

My first initial thought was my graphic card, being it is new (ASUS V9999 ULTRA DELUXE (6800 ULTRA)), it might be faulty. Or can it be the driver? Never thought of the motherboard.
The second thought is windows! (I reinstalled windows xp and the problem still exists so it can't be this).

Until yesterday my PC has no graphic output (Monitors information say it is working but no signal from Graphic card)!! I thought it must be the graphic card so I tested it on another PC and it works fine!!! All the game and IE crashes has disappear! I also tested the monitor and it works too!
Now that I realize it is the AGP slot on my motherboard that is causing all the problems!
I just faxed to where I bought it for RMA.

I am never gonna buy a MSI again! NEVER!

 

[FNC Jon]

WHat version is your Bios, are you overclocking it? What is your ram and your settings, what is your HTT at and multiplier, what is the blue screen of death error number? I had this before and it was the IDE cable that came with MSI, i put my old one back on and volia it worked. With the error number you can track down what the error is.

You may not need ot rma it.

 

[Celesa]

Hi

I haven't overlock it, all settings is default. I updated it to the latest bois
I am not using the IDE cable that come with MSI. I am using a Coolermaster version that I bought.
If it is the IDE cable, it shouldn't affect the display setting I guess? (No output - I mean no graphic at all, cant even see the boot screen)

 

[FNC Jon]

Does it post, do you hear a beep?

 

[Celesa]

Hi FNC JON

Thanks!!

I fixed the problem, it turned out to be the memory banks, Slot 1 and 3 somehow doesn't work?????
After I switch the memory to Slot 2 and 4 it works fine.

Glad that it is working now, but how come slot 1 and 3 don't work?

 

[AnotherGuy]

Originally posted by: MadDog31
I went with the K8N.

LOL good luck!
If ur lucky u will be owner of a great board... if u aint... then ur fcked!

I still keep my opinion... MSI is the "BEST and the WORST" motherboard of all!

 

[tickyour]

Originally posted by: MadDog31
I went with the K8N.

And? Satisfied? i'm in exaclty the SAME dillema as you were.

However, I do plan to OC, but I am looking for stability also. Since my horrible experience with the Epox 8rda+, which was a great performer, but had a "evil" character.

 

[Duvie]

The MSI Neo2 has its quirks but most all have been solved with bioses or from a person researching a bit and understanding the bios options...

I did my research, read the threads about SATA ports 1-2 not being locked, read the rports about undervolting, read the reports about boards being shipped with older bioses that did not OC well, etc...fact is a flashed it, plugged the right plugs, set the right settings and I was overclocking the first noght to 280-290 HTT stable....

Hands down the best sckt 939 mobo for ocing...The DFI is the NF4 board of choice...