MSI Neo4-F vs Platinum : any performance diffenrences ?

[DetConan]

I originally sent this message in the wrong forum. Sorry. So here we goes :

I am looking to buy a new computer. It will be an Athlon 64 3200+. Reading on the net, I found many good reviews on the MSI Neo4-F and the Platinum one. However, the price differences make me look on the Neo4-F side. I know that the Platinum has SATA2 and Firewire and not the Neo4-F side, but I am not interested in those features. So, the question is :

Is there a performance difference (benchmarks, framerates while playing game, etc., etc.) between a system based on the MSI Neo4-F and the Neo Platinum one ?

Thank you for your time and your advices

 

[hanyball]

i don't think, there is any major, difference beetwen them, in matter of performance. i own a msi neo4-f, and i'm very pleased. if you will look throw test, reviews, you will see, that the differences, beetween, boards, are not so major, in terms of performances. here (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...tid=29&threadid=1853169&enterthread=y) there is a problem that i have with my system (with the msi neo4-f). maybe it will help you in the future.

 

[Zap]

Generally speaking, at the same clock speeds and if everything is working right, one A64 board will perform almost exactly like another. The selling points are features (Firewire, extra SATA, whatever) and overclockability.

 

[furballi]

Some boards are more stable than others, although that could be related to heat. The usual failure mode of a board is damaged capacitors. It's probably safe to use cheap caps on the board if they are not subjected to high temperature and current. Larger caps used at the power section should be high-quality such as Matsushita, United Chemi-Con, Nichicon, etc....

 

[pkrush]

I own an MSI Neo4-F and I've never had any problems with it, aside from the lack of overclockability and the chipset fan dying. It's a pretty good board, but the first thing I'd do to it is rip off the chipset fan and replace it with a decent one (Evercool VC-RE maybe). On the newer boards, the chipset fan is basically a piece of metal with a fan blowing on it, no fins whatsoever. There are better options out there, though. If you don't need the expandability, look at the Geforce 6100 boards (especially the Biostar TForce6100-939 and MSI K8NGM2-FID), which have decent onboard video and run a lot cooler. The Epox 9NPA+ Ultra is also a good option.