GA-8KNXP Motherboard - anyone have this?

[Kinesis]

I am having a difficulty with which motherboard I should purchase. Asus has always been a favorite, but I have had no issues with my older gigabyte motherboards. So I was considering Asus P4C800-E Deluxe (C right...not P) versus GA-8KNXP (gigabyte - non-Ultra) ?

Anyone heard of this board, and how it comares? Or its high price an issue that puts it out of consideration?

Just curious!

 

[caz67]

Hi.

I would definitely stick with the Asus. Very stable board, offers good overclocking.

The Gigabyte, just doesnt compare IMO.

 

[poppagene]

Originally posted by: Kinesis
I am having a difficulty with which motherboard I should purchase. Asus has always been a favorite, but I have had no issues with my older gigabyte motherboards. So I was considering Asus P4C800-E Deluxe (C right...not P) versus GA-8KNXP (gigabyte - non-Ultra) ?

Anyone heard of this board, and how it comares? Or its high price an issue that puts it out of consideration?

Just curious!

According to Toms Hardware Guide (THG): Mobo Tsunami! 24 Boards with the 865/875P Chipset

THG is going to present one award per chipset in this large comparative test. Out of all the test participants, the Gigabyte GA-8KNXP offers the best equipment (high quality components), innovative features and high performance at a reasonable price. The broad range of extra equipment would cost about $50 at a specialty store. Gigabyte therefore receives the sought-after prize from THG.

 

[dakels]

I use this board and its by far the best MB i have ever used is many ways. It has all the features of comparable chipsets but Gigabyte is known to make some of the best MB's. They pack alot of features and details into their MB's. You pay a little more but you will know where the money went. If you like to do some OCing, want to use things like RAID, have alot of drives and peripherals, I have never heard an educated person give a top quality gigabyte board like this a bad review. If you care about reviews, most of the big review places will give this motherboard an top notch rating. Not hard to find the reviews.

I cant rave enough about this board but if I had any complaints they are etremely specific and minor, like the tightness of my huge Zalmon 7000 CPU cooler. Any half normal cooler wouldnt have a problem though so its not really a gripe about the 8KNXP. You cant go wrong getting this motherboard, but I would recommend using Kingston Hyper X ram as a few people have commented about having problems with Corsair XMS memory, but then again I have heard people complain about compatability issues with the XMS chips on all kinds of motherboards.

 

[Cable God]

I just finished burning in my new 8KNXP Rev2 board from NewEgg. I have tried Asus and Abit as well, and have no complaints against neither. I must say, that the Gigabyte boards have been more user friendly in my book. Just the features and extras you get with it makes that my decision easier to stay with them. PLus, they overclock like nobody's business as well in my experiences. Very stable.

 

[Kinesis]

Hmm, I am not sure now. Your replies have made things.....confusing. But as was stated and educated person would say little about this board in the negative sense. I am going to be hard pressed then to really decide. Asus I have and trusted for some time. Never had one complaint about them. Still using the CUV4X board I bought 4 years ago.

But I was wanting that one board that would stand out, and provide equally as long of a life, as it would features as well as reliability, durability, and most importantly compatbility!

Things to think about for sure!

 

[Cable God]

Originally posted by: Kinesis
long of a life, as it would features as well as reliability, durability, and most importantly compatbility!q]


The answer is Gigabyte. I have one that's over 4 years old and has been OC'ed the whole time. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Kinesis]

OK, one other question I have is what is the real purpose & benefit of the DPS Slot that the GA-8KNXP (Rev 2.0) has? Is it for overclocking only?

 

[Kinesis]

A couple of things I have noted with my research on this board. The manual discusses nothing on how to setup a RAID array, as does the ASUS P4C800-E DLX.

Hmmm. Interesting.

 

[sumrtym]

Come over to www.abxzone.com. You'll find a VERY long thread on the 8knxp. I own one (rev 1) and wouldn't trade it for any other.

Supposedly the only difference on the rev2 is an audio change, but I notice that it's been tested with higher Prescott chips as ok than the rev1 on the Gigabyte site. That could be, though, due to the fact you won't even get a rev1 if you order as they haven't been made for quite some time.

As for setup, all your questions will be answered on that forum I mentioned as well.

DPS is marketing in my opinion. I don't use it.

 

[valk97]

Kinesis,
I have just setup my GA-8KNXP rev 2 system. It runs like a dream and is stable as a rock. Overclocks like a beast, and made easy by EasyTune4. I also have a Gigabyte video with auto overclock, and it also works well.

Gigabyte has separate manuals for setting up the raid functions for this mobo. It has three different raid controllers onboard. You need to decide on witch one or ones that you will be using and then go from there.

There was no single piece of documentation that guides one through a complete setup. After reading all the documents I was able to figure it out.

I setup a 0+1 array using 4 - 80GB ATA133 drives and it went as smooth as silk. (from scatch, new machine)
You can setup 2-SATA drives on a raid 0 or 1 through the ICH5R southbridge. Or you can setup 4 - SATA drives on a raid 0, 1 , or 0+1 through the silicon chip. Or like me, you can setup 4 - ATA133 drives on a raid 0, 1, or 0+1 through the Gigaraid chip.
Heck, you can setup more than one raid array if you want, [ie. a 4 drive SATA array, and a 4 drive ATA array][ie. a 2 drive raid array on the southbrige, a 2 drive array on the silicon, and a 4 drive array on the gigaraid, (or a 2 drive array on the gigaraid)]

The DPS2 is a 6 phase PS converter for the processor only. 6 phase is the recommended power supply attribute for P4 processors. Provides a monitored and regulated power feed to the processor. Your system will run without it (most manufacturers don't supply this option), but should give added reliabitlity and performance. Reportedly a must to recieve full benifits from a Presscot core.

A last note: I have been in touch with Gigabyte support via email. Thier response was same day, actually within an hour or two. And the response provided was just what was needed; no need to contact them again on the same issue.

System (all from NewEgg)
1) ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Side Window Panel, Swiveling Front Control Panel features LED Display, Model "P-160WF" -RETAIL
2) Antec 480W Power Supply with Blue LED Fan, Model "TRUE480BLUE" -RETAIL
3) ANTEC Noise Killer PSU Gasket for Power Supply -RETAIL
4) GIGABYTE "GA-8KNXP(REV 2.0)" i875P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU-RETAIL
5) Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology -Retail
6) GIGABYTE ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-R96X128D" -RETAIL
7) Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail
8) SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920, OEM
9) 4-SAMSUNG 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drives, Model SP0802N, OEM Drive only (raid 0+1)
10) Lite-On Black 16X DVD-ROM, Model SOHD-167T, OEM
11) PIONEER DVD±RW Drive, Model DVR-A07XLB, Retail
12) Apollo 56K V.92 PCI Fax Modem, Model ENF656-GHW-INPR
13) Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard & Wheel Mouse Optical Bundle PS/2 102keys-OEM
14) UNINCOM ROUND, 24-Inch, True ATA133/100/66/33 ( UV BLUE ) IDE Cable, 3-Head, 24 Inches
15) Unincom ROUND, 24-Inch, True ATA133/100/66/33, ( UV RED ) IDE Cable, 3-Head, 24 Inches.
16) UNINCOM ROUND, 12-Inch, True ATA133/100/66/33, ( UV GREEN ) IDE Cable, 2-Head, 12 Inches -RETAIL
17) UNINCOM ROUND, 12-Inch, True ATA133/100/66/33, ( BLUE ) IDE Cable. 2-Head. 12 Inches -RETAIL
18) COOLMAX Floppy 12" Round Cable Transparent Yellow -RETAIL

All running sweatly, NO conflicts.

valk97