Originally posted by: NewPCBuilder
If you want me to, I'll find out tomorrow by this time and post . I have a PCI Savage4 16meg and a PCI S3 Virge GX so I'll find out - futhermore if you are THAT tight on a budget perhaps getting the 8rda+ solution might be better for you (or else get a IGP solution with onboard video) since its considerably cheaper (though it doesn't have all the frills of the a7n8x)...because even the Geforce4MX is substancially better than any PCI solution out there save for something that has features like a Radeon (or the G450 if you want 2d quailty because nvidia isn't known for it as much as ATI)
Thanks for the welcome.
BTW, I meant to refer to the Deluxe version of the A7N8X mobo, which I see is what you have.
If it's not a lot of trouble, I'd like to know the result of your test of a PCI video card. I've looked at a number of forums and FAQ posts but this problem doesn't seem to be addressed.
Results? Not sure what you mean....I'll see if they work in 2d mode but if they there should be no problem 3dwise. I can't do 3d for the virge b/c when i paid 100 dollars for that baby years ago it didn't have 3d acceleration. And the savage4 does, it is just no one ever made drivers for it and Microsoft implemented some hasty form of support
Also note, from mobo manual p 58 - BIOS configuration info: Primary VGA BIOS [PCI VGA Card] This field sets the priority for the display of VGA signals. Change from the PCI VGA default to AGP VGA card if installed.
This seems to imply that it is supported, yet at the end of the manual it says PCI VGA cards are not supported (p. 97).
I suppose I could try a low-end AGP card, but I'd rather put that money toward a good one some months down the line. If your test fails, I guess I'll have to try a cheap one.
Do you know any brands/models that are 1.5V compliant and inexpensive?
Not sure what you mean about 1.5V. If you do get a "low end AGP card" go to FS/FT forums and try to nab a geforce1 for like 20 bones or something
Also, can you explain the "8rda+ solution"? I'm not familiar with that term/model. Also "IGP solution". My h/w vocabulary is small now, but growing.
TIA for all your help.
The 8rda+ is another motherboard based on the Nforce2 Chipset. It is made by a really great company called "EPOX" Go to Anandtech.com Motherboards and read the "Nforce2 Roundup" which compares many motherboards (a7n8x and 8rda+ are included)
The 8rda+ is like the a7n8x (sans some of the features that is only on the a7n8x) and its approximately 110 dollars online- so that should help you if you are in a problem.
Think of it
feature-wise as a A7n8x Mini-Deluxe or something
IGP refers to the 2nd Northbridge (just know this for now - all mobos have a north and a south bridge and they each control "stuff") of the nforce2.
You can buy a nforce2 with one of the 2 northbriges- the SSP Northbrdige and the IGP.
They are EXACTLY the same, but the IGP has onboard video instead - so for people who are sticking in their own card haveing the SSP Northbridge makes more sense because you aren't going to need that extra Video port.
As for the Southbridges, both 8rda+ and a7n8x come with the more advanced southbridge (they are the mcp, and the mcp-t), the MCP-t
Remeber though - the 8rda does NOT have the MCP-t ; the 8rda+ HAS the mcp-t
the a7n8x does NOT have the mcp-t; the a7n8x deluxe DOES have it
But whenever i say a7n8x i refer to the deluxe version 99% of the time unless otherwise stated....
Okay, that about covers it - did I mess up anywhere anandtechers ?