ASUS Or MSI?

[iv4n]

From what I've read in this forum there seems to be a lot of problems experienced with the ASUS SLI Premium mobo....well and that's the one that I was intending to get. However with all these discussion going around I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts.

Thus I'm trying to decide between the ASUS SLI Premium and the MSI K8N SLI Platinum. I don't think I'll want the DFI offering coz I wont be doing a lot of overclocking/tweaking. Between the MSI and ASUS boards, which one has more stability and performance? The MSI Platinum doesnt have Creative onboard sound doesnt it? Its only for the Diamond edition right?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

My first post! ^^

 

[wanderer27]

I was thinking that the MSI had the better onboard sound, but it's been so long since I looked I can't remember who was making it.

I think your possible problems are going to depend on if you're getting a Dual Core, and whether you're going to be running 2 sticks or 4 sticks of Memory.

I don't know how the MSI and DC are, but I believe they also have some headaches once in awhile with 4 sticks of Memory.

Primarily the issue that decided it for me was the Chipset fan. I don't feel like tearing my System apart a few weeks down the road to have to replace it, so I went with the ASUS.

I like the MSI too, I've two of their MBs in my other Systems (266A & 333), and they're great.


And welcome aboard !

 

[iv4n]

Thanks for the reply! Well yeah MSI does have the Creative Soundblaster Live bundled together...

Hmm I do intend to upgrade to a dual-core and add additional sticks of RAM down the road...when prices drop..will that cause compatability problems as so many have experienced?

 

[wanderer27]

The big issue with four sticks is primarily the Memory Controller on the CPU, so pretty much every MB can cause problems with four sticks.
Some people have problems some don't - it seems to be luck of the draw.

The Dual Core issue only really comes into play on Overclocking. I guess it's not really a problem so much as a limitation, as the VCore will only go so high (limiting OC'ing). Some people still get some pretty good OC's though.

There are people that have had no problems running four stick of mixed combinations of Memory. There are also people that have nothing but problems with even four sticks of the exact same Memory.

I think the determining factor may be the version of CPU you have. The Memory Controller on the older XP64 has more problems with four sticks, while the newer versions have supposedly fixed this.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: wanderer27
The big issue with four sticks is primarily the Memory Controller on the CPU, so pretty much every MB can cause problems with four sticks.
Some people have problems some don't - it seems to be luck of the draw.

The Dual Core issue only really comes into play on Overclocking. I guess it's not really a problem so much as a limitation, as the VCore will only go so high (limiting OC'ing). Some people still get some pretty good OC's though.

There are people that have had no problems running four stick of mixed combinations of Memory. There are also people that have nothing but problems with even four sticks of the exact same Memory.

I think the determining factor may be the version of CPU you have. The Memory Controller on the older XP64 has more problems with four sticks, while the newer versions have supposedly fixed this.

I had problems on my Asus A8N SLI Deluxe with four sticks, although they were mismatched. 2X512 and 2X256- this was supposed to work, and it's not cheap RAM (Geil Ultra) but I was one of the unlucky ones.

On the bright side, with two sticks all is well.

 

[wanderer27]

Rollo, you have the older Core Memory Controller on yours though don't you ?

I think that's the biggest culprit with four sticks. Capt Caveman has had all kinds of luck with four sticks, but I don't what version CPU he's running.

 

[Skott]

The new MSI mobo is going to have onboard Audigy2. Personally, I'd rather have a seperate sound card but its nice to know MSI is now moving to the Audigy2. This will help convince other manufacturers to upgrade as well.

 

[ss284]

Screw asus.