CUSL2?

[LXi]

Syborg1211:

Its jumperless, 1MHz increment from 66-166MHz. You will only have to change the jumper once when you go beyond 133MHz. I dont think its that big of a deal. Hey, people using A7V arent complaining.

 

[Syborg1211]

What are the mojor differences between the two boards?

 

[Midnight Rambler]

You gotta open your case is the major difference, if you are lazy as you say ...

Asus includes USB daughtercard, MSI has diagnostic LEDs, not much else different feature-wise ...

 

[Syborg1211]

I guess the MSI is the better way to go since it is in higher stock and i found it at Onvia for 111 with free shipping. When was the last time Onvia has released a coupon. Last time I found one was ages ago.

 

[Syborg1211]

But here is the deciding question, which motherboard will allow for an easy fit with my Alpha PEP66?

 

[Wingznut]

I believe it will fit either motherboard, but I'm not positive.

I have an Alpha PAL-6035 on my CUSL-2. I'm pretty sure the two heatsinks are the same size.

 

[Syborg1211]

the difference between the pal and the pep heatsinks is the the fan on the pep66 faces to the side so that it will fit perfectly on slotkets. So the fan is really the one that will be having trouble fitting. It looks like the cusl2 has a lot more resistors that could get in the way right next to the cpu.

 

[LXi]

Syborg1211:

The 815E Pro will definitely fit the Alphas fine, because there are PLENTY of space around the socket. The CUSL2 is all crammed together with lots of capacitors around the socket which Im afraid you wont be able to get some large heatsinks on.

And to counter Midnight's comments, yes you'll have to open your case, same thing with CUSL2, everybody has got to open their case when they build their machine. And its not like you have to change your clock speed in a daily basis so blaming the jumpers is just a mood point. Most people get the clock speed set right after they finish building their system, and thats when you overclock, you find a comfortable clock speed, and you leave it at that. To get 133MHz and above on the 815E Pro, you only have to change the jumper once, everything from 133-166MHz will be enabled to choose from, which is absolutley ideal. If you have a 700E, your target range will be from 133MHz-145MHz, since you arent going below 133MHz(if you are then your 700E is not a good OCer), you wont have to change the jumpers at all.

Many people get confused when they blame the 815E Pro for the jumpers, I suggest them to try it out before bashing it. There is one more feature Midnight left out, the FuzzyLogicIII, you can let the guy do all the overclocking for you, no such thing from Asus.

 

[LXi]

The MSI is $103 right now, the CUSL2 is $135. The choice is clearer and clearer by the minute. Save yourself $30.

 

[oldfart]

People forget to mention also that the MSI has integrated sound and the ASUS does not. A small thing, but worth mentioning. I'm a (very happy) CUSL2 owner now, and am putting together an addition system with the MSI soon. I'll give a report on how it stacks up. Value wise, it seems hard to beat.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

<< The CUSL2 is all crammed together with lots of capacitors around the socket which Im afraid you wont be able to get some large heatsinks on. >>

Like having a lot of caps is a bad thing? Not !
Your logic is quite fuzzy ...

 

[Syborg1211]

MidnightRambler- you could almost he has FuzzyLogic

 

[Syborg1211]

I really don't need or want the integrated sound either, I have a SB Live! MP3+ for that.

 

[Radboy]

satisfaction

 

[oldfart]

It always baffles me how people can be so Pro or against some silly piece of computer hardware. I have a CUSL2, and can honestly say, its the best motherboard I've ever had. I really like it. I'm working on another little project with a very tight budget and decided to try out the MSI. Same 815E chipset, has integrated sound (for this setup, it will be fine), and is a lot cheaper ($110 shipped). Do you guys think it is even remotely possible that they can both be good boards? Or is it always one product &quot;RULZ&quot; and all the others are &quot;SUCK&quot;. I'll be working on it next week, and will report on how it stacks up to the CUSL2.

 

[Syborg1211]

How come I am not hearing anything good about first hand experiences with msi?

 

[Midnight Rambler]

All 815 boards have integrated sound capability, namely AC 97 codec built in to the ICH2. The CUSL2 uses Yamaha XG synth software.

And Oldfart speaketh the truth ...

 

[LXi]

<<Like having a lot of caps is a bad thing? Not !>>

No, having more capcitors is never a bad thing, but having lots of them too close to your socket is a bad thing. MSI also has lots of capacitors, the ones that are even higher than the ones on CUSL2, they're not close to the socket, so you can put huge heatsinks on them.

 

[Syborg1211]

That's where I'm sold to the MSI. I don't want to buy a whole new heatsink for the more expensive CUSL2.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

MSI boards have always(i've had a mvp3 based one, a bx based one, and played with several kt133 based ones) been great in the past.

On the basis of Lxi and other member's recommendations, as well as the consideration of price, I picked up an MSI 815E pro to built a new computer for a friend with. I have a cusl2 in my system, and can honestly say that the MSI board is every bit the equal of the CUSL2 as far as stability and speed. The only possible knock on the MSI is the lack of chipset cooling.

Since then, i've built 3 computers around 815E pros. I have not seen a problem with any of them, and all 4 boards have performed excellently. nor have any of those computers had the need for Chipset cooling.

The kicker that really throws the ball in MSI's favor is price. CUSL2s are fairly expensive mb's. The MSI is much more reasonable when it comes to cost.

MSI has also announced a new, 815EP based mb(forgot the model name) that adds promise raid to it. Same great features as an 815E Pro, but with the added bonus of raid. I am eagerly waiting for this board to arrive and to potentially replace my cusl2.


Mike

 

[LXi]

Mikewarrior2:

Thank you! That should quiet down Midnight and Radboy a bit.


Radboy:

Just in case you didnt read it back in the 19&quot; monitor thread, if you trust Gamersdepot so much for their Iiyama review, you should also check out their MSI 815E Pro review(6 drips comapre to CULS2's 4.5).

 

[LXi]

MSI 815E Pro $96 from Googlegear.com. How about some price cuts huh? Asus?

 

[Syborg1211]

I like the sound of that price LXi but googlegear's shipping is a bitch. They charge the usual shipping fees along with an added on 5 dollars. That makes it almost equal to the price onvia has and onvia has free shipping.

Will I need extra chipset cooling for bus speeds over 145?

 

[Wingznut]

That price at Googlegear is only when you buy in quantities. Still, I tried to order one from them last night, and their site kept giving me errors in the checkout process.

So, I headed on over to mwave and ordered one. I'll let you guys know how it compares to my CUSL-2, next week.

 

[Syborg1211]

extra cooling?