NF7-s vs A7N8X Deluxe

[cyrax80]

Which does everyone prefer - The Abit NF7 or the Asus A7N8X, and then their equivalents NF7-s and A7N8X Deluxe? I'm about to buy a Barton AXP 2500+ and I was looking at the specs on the 2 boards. And of the 2 companies, which of the boards would you choose? The NF7 and A7N8X are cheaper, but don't have some of the features or the other 2. I just don't know how to weigh the +/- of them...a little help?

 

[infinite012]

NF7-S and A7N8X Deluxe have better onboard audio. Get either one if you want the soundstorm audio. If you want something cheaper then go with the NF7 or A7N8X. Either board is great, but the NF7 tends to overclock better than the A7N8X.

 

[cyrax80]

Other than soundstorm, are any of the features to the more expensive boards worth anything?

 

[render]

nf7 if you don't need firewire. soundstorm is useless unless you're planning to use the digital output.(you do need speakers with digital input)
its analog quality is limited to the quality of the CODEC chip(it uses cheap realtek chip)

 

[Aenslead]

this is getting tiring...

ASUS A7N8X.

 

[wicktron]

Originally posted by: Aenslead
this is getting tiring...

ASUS A7N8X.

Nope, NF7-S

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: wicktron

Originally posted by: Aenslead
this is getting tiring...

ASUS A7N8X.

Nope, NF7-S

Beh either one, they're both amazing.

I personally have been burned once by an Abit motherboard (however it was a long time ago). I have been burned zero times by an ASUS board (and have built far more with ASUS). I'm happily chugging along with my so-called "value" A7N8X-X. Check that one out if you like a great board for the cheapest you can get. It's much better than going with a cheaper brand.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"Other than soundstorm, are any of the features to the more expensive boards worth anything?"

They actually fit on the standoffs correctly and the sockets work fine...as in you can actually plug and unplug the power, IDE etc. easily. Less funky freezes too. WHen you get an Asus you will know what I'm talking about.

 

[Aenslead]

No.

ASUS A7N8X/X/Deluxe has a much better layout than the NF7-S. Consider the IDE ports and the 20-pin ATX connector.

Speed is the same, stability is the same, features are the same... but LAYOUTS, oh la la... THERE lays the difference.

 

[Links4me]

The layout is better on the Asus (my opinion).......but at the time I purchased; the Asus was $30 more. The problem with the layout of the Abit to me is that the atx pwr connector is in between the cpu and the back of the case, which could interfere with the cooling. I got around that by running the power cable thru the support in my case. Both companies make top quality products... just pick the one that meets your needs.

 

[lsman]

have neither but using epox mb.
NF7-s has 2 external usb and 4 internal USB
Asus has 4 external (back) and 2 internal.
(same as epox)

while i have a case with front usb (most do), the 2 internal ports are used. But i also want to used the internal media drive (3.5") that easily transfer images from SM, MS off camera. So i have to pick one of them (front usb out) so i will prefer the abit for more flexible.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: render
nf7 if you don't need firewire. soundstorm is useless unless you're planning to use the digital output.(you do need speakers with digital input)
its analog quality is limited to the quality of the CODEC chip(it uses cheap realtek chip)

true about the quality.. but that's only the weak points of soundstorm. you failed to mentioned it's high points. It is the most powerful sound chip(lowest CPU utilization). It supports 128 directional sounds, which is exclusive to only the nforce2 and the audigy2.

 

[xinxb71]

I am thinking of buying a refurbished A7N8X deluxe from newegg, however, there is no accessory coming with the board. The user review says some of them get it for free, while one of them says he got it for $20. Anyone here has a clue how to get those accessories?

Thank you.