The *Official* Asus A7N8X (Deluxe) Thread

[NewPCBuilder]

I'm preparing to build a PC for the first time. Since I'm on a tight budget, I'm trying to re-use many of the parts in my current PC.

I've read a lot about the Asus A7N8X. However, I can't seem to get a confirmed answer to a video question. I'd like to re-use my current PCI video card until I can same the money for a good AGP card.

According to the Asus manual, this mobo can use a PCI video card. In fact it says this is the default in the BIOS. But at the end of the manual, it says the mobo does not support PCI VGA cards.

I wrote to Asus, with no useful help. One answer said it does support PCI VGA, and one said it does not.

Is anyone using a video card in a PCI slot in this mobo? Is it the only card, or used in addition to an AGP card? Any problems found?

TIA for any clarification from those who have tried PCI video.

 

[steelnewfie]

QUESTION: I just got a new phone line installed for work, and switched DSL providers.. but decided to leave em both hooked up for a bit... Can I use my two network cards under XP and get the higher dl speeds? What about making two connections ? Just looking for ideas before I try it. Also going to download new bios.. Great thread guys, very informative and good links.. Thanks !

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: NewPCBuilder
I'm preparing to build a PC for the first time. Since I'm on a tight budget, I'm trying to re-use many of the parts in my current PC.

I've read a lot about the Asus A7N8X. However, I can't seem to get a confirmed answer to a video question. I'd like to re-use my current PCI video card until I can same the money for a good AGP card.

According to the Asus manual, this mobo can use a PCI video card. In fact it says this is the default in the BIOS. But at the end of the manual, it says the mobo does not support PCI VGA cards.

I wrote to Asus, with no useful help. One answer said it does support PCI VGA, and one said it does not.

Is anyone using a video card in a PCI slot in this mobo? Is it the only card, or used in addition to an AGP card? Any problems found?

TIA for any clarification from those who have tried PCI video.

Welcome to anandtech

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)




As to the DSL- do you mean like Shotgun Modems in the days of yore? I don't think you could do that, but I DO think that if you were to download some beefy file (3dmark2003) you could assign it to a different net service and surf o nthe other...though I'm not sure the actual implication of this and how to do it but it seems reasonable.

 

[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.

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?

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.

 

[magomago]

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 ?

 

[Questor]

I had posted this in another area with no result, now that I found this thread, I am hoping it works to get an answer of some sort:

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe board, XP 2600/333 and Vantec VA4-C7040 Heat sink/fan. On boot up of course it I go to BIOS to make setting and while there notice the MB Temp is 77 degrees (Ok np there) but right below that it says CPU Temp 189 degree F. My reaction was one of serious surprise. I take the board out of case and run it on a bench...177 degrees...slowly moved up to 190 degrees. Keep in mind this was within the first 60 seconds of the new systems very first start up.

Nothing smelled hot, the air blowing out of the heat sink slots seemed rather cool when I placed my hand near it (yah yah I know, not very accurate /shrug).

Long story short...does this motherboard have a history of bad cpu temp sensors or incorrect reading cpu temp sensors?

Oh, and used Arctic Silver 3 thermal grease, properly applied.

Questor

 

[Palek]

Just to add a little piece of useful information to this already great thread... I noted that Shockwave above said he was using the integrated 3COM NIC on his Deluxe board. According to several reviews the nVidia NIC is far superior in terms of achievable maximum bandwidth, and it also stresses the CPU less. I would definitely recommend using the nVidia NIC. Read some articles on the Deluxe, I remember that quite a few reviewers had the same results.

Somebody mentioned getting memory read errors in Windows with Crucial PC2700 sticks. I had them too, in fact I had "System failed memory test" boot messages. I had to go back to the original shipping 1001G BIOS to get rid of them. I know, this is the BIOS from hell apparently, but in my case it happens to be the only one that works properly. I have two sticks of Crucial 512MB PC2700, by the way. I guess the larger the modules, the more finicky they become.

As for the RAID issue, I do not know if this has been stated clearly already (too many posts to read, forgot what they all said), but I am quite sure that RAID setups are only available with two drives hooked up to the SATA connectors. The SATA/RAID controller has nothing to do with the integrated ATA controller of the nForce2 chipset or the parallel ATA connectors of the A7N8X Deluxe. I highly doubt that a hardware RAID setup is possible on this board when one drive is on PATA and another is on SATA. Just wanted to clarify that.

And now, to add my questions to the end of the queue. I have the SPDIF out of my Plextor burner hooked up directly to the SPDIF pins on the motherboard. When I play back an audio CD, I get cracking that seems to intensify as the volume of the original recording gets higher. Could this possibly be a driver issue? Right now I am on the 2.03 set released by nVidia, but have been contemplating going back to the last ASUS release to see if they would solve this little problem.

 

[magomago]

Don't use Nvidias. Use the lastest 1.16 Asus (which are newer than the 2.03) because Asus made some specific changes to their motherboard.

See if that solves your problems

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Questor
I had posted this in another area with no result, now that I found this thread, I am hoping it works to get an answer of some sort:

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe board, XP 2600/333 and Vantec VA4-C7040 Heat sink/fan. On boot up of course it I go to BIOS to make setting and while there notice the MB Temp is 77 degrees (Ok np there) but right below that it says CPU Temp 189 degree F. My reaction was one of serious surprise. I take the board out of case and run it on a bench...177 degrees...slowly moved up to 190 degrees. Keep in mind this was within the first 60 seconds of the new systems very first start up.

Nothing smelled hot, the air blowing out of the heat sink slots seemed rather cool when I placed my hand near it (yah yah I know, not very accurate /shrug).

Long story short...does this motherboard have a history of bad cpu temp sensors or incorrect reading cpu temp sensors?

Oh, and used Arctic Silver 3 thermal grease, properly applied.

Questor

Try using the 1002.001 bios and see if your problems go away because there was a CPU temp reading problem

 

[XPedian]

Well, downloaded v1.16 from Asus but the installer doesn't install. It was a clean download and it unzipped ok. What am I doing wrong? What's the secret to installing this? Idiots guide please.....

Thanks.

a7N8x non-deluxe
XP2000:frown:

 

[Palek]

I went ahead and completely removed the nVidia 2.03 drivers, then manually erased chipset-related hardware from the device manager. After this I proceeded with installing the ASUS 1.16 drivers. The results are good, although a little odd. Even when I have audio extraction disabled, I get sound from my burner that is connected to the mobo via SPDIF. However, the SPDIF volume slider has absolutely no effect on the volume of the audio CD. What's even more curious is that the Audio CD volume slider DOES work with the burner. The reason why I find this odd is that it is my DVD-ROM that's actually connected to the CD-in of the mobo. Weird, eh? Also, something else that makes me a little suspicious is that normally when I play back an audio CD, the drive does not spin it up to high speeds as that is unnecessary. However, my Plextor spins like crazy when I use it for audio playback. What is going on here? Does anyone have a clue? Is the Deluxe performing digital audio extraction by default or something? Is that even possible?

 

[magomago]

btw, for the guy with the pci card go ahead. It worked fine for me using both Virge and Savage4 PCI Videocards

 

[Linflas]

I purchased the A7N8X Deluxe last weekend and finally got all the stuff together to do my build this weekend. I got a couple of Highpoint Rockethead 100 adapters for the serial ATA but no documentation came with them so after some fruitless web searching I first tried just leaving my drives in CSEL mode. This did not work so I powered off to switch the jumpers to single drive mode. After doing that when I powered on I heard some static through the speakers for about 5 secs then the board powered off. Since then I cannot power the board back up. I even tried another power supply but no joy. At this point I am resigned to taking it back either Monday or Tuesday but figured it could not hurt to ask if there is anything else I might try to shock it back into life. The LED on the board does not light up at all irregardless of the power state on the PS or front panel. I did remove the battery and reset the CMOS as suggested in the manual but I am fresh out of any other ideas.

 

[XPedian]

Palek - I removed anything with nVidia in it from the 'Add/Remove Progs' tried to run the 1.16 from set up - still wouldn't play. Went into Device Manager and did likewise, i.e. removing anything that might be motherboard related. Tried again - no good. On rebooting, the prompts were coming thick and fast 'Found new hardware' etc and I kept pointing it to the directory where I had unpacked 1.16. I continued with this until I got a clean boot and then I thought I'd try the 1.16 setup again - and bu**er me it worked!

Incidentally, I found exactly the same problem with the original drivers CD that came with the board, i.e. the setup would not run.

Anyway, I got there in the end but the update installer is obviously a piece of crap from Asus and not tested.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I purchased the A7N8X Deluxe last weekend and finally got all the stuff together to do my build this weekend. I got a couple of Highpoint Rockethead 100 adapters for the serial ATA but no documentation came with them so after some fruitless web searching I first tried just leaving my drives in CSEL mode. This did not work so I powered off to switch the jumpers to single drive mode. After doing that when I powered on I heard some static through the speakers for about 5 secs then the board powered off. Since then I cannot power the board back up. I even tried another power supply but no joy. At this point I am resigned to taking it back either Monday or Tuesday but figured it could not hurt to ask if there is anything else I might try to shock it back into life. The LED on the board does not light up at all irregardless of the power state on the PS or front panel. I did remove the battery and reset the CMOS as suggested in the manual but I am fresh out of any other ideas.

Try taking the board out of the case and lay it on cardboard, then take out the CPU, the RAM, the video card, EVERYTHING. Plug the power supply into the board, turn on the power supply and see if the LED comes on. If not, the board or the power supply is dead, and it's easy to rule out the power supply by using it in another system.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: XPedian
Palek - I removed anything with nVidia in it from the 'Add/Remove Progs' tried to run the 1.16 from set up - still wouldn't play. Went into Device Manager and did likewise, i.e. removing anything that might be motherboard related. Tried again - no good. On rebooting, the prompts were coming thick and fast 'Found new hardware' etc and I kept pointing it to the directory where I had unpacked 1.16. I continued with this until I got a clean boot and then I thought I'd try the 1.16 setup again - and bu**er me it worked!

Incidentally, I found exactly the same problem with the original drivers CD that came with the board, i.e. the setup would not run.

Anyway, I got there in the end but the update installer is obviously a piece of crap from Asus and not tested.

Then backup your stuff, put the drivers unzipped on a cd and whatnot...and reformat

sometimes its the only way especially if it won't listen to you

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Linflas
I purchased the A7N8X Deluxe last weekend and finally got all the stuff together to do my build this weekend. I got a couple of Highpoint Rockethead 100 adapters for the serial ATA but no documentation came with them so after some fruitless web searching I first tried just leaving my drives in CSEL mode. This did not work so I powered off to switch the jumpers to single drive mode. After doing that when I powered on I heard some static through the speakers for about 5 secs then the board powered off. Since then I cannot power the board back up. I even tried another power supply but no joy. At this point I am resigned to taking it back either Monday or Tuesday but figured it could not hurt to ask if there is anything else I might try to shock it back into life. The LED on the board does not light up at all irregardless of the power state on the PS or front panel. I did remove the battery and reset the CMOS as suggested in the manual but I am fresh out of any other ideas.

Try taking the board out of the case and lay it on cardboard, then take out the CPU, the RAM, the video card, EVERYTHING. Plug the power supply into the board, turn on the power supply and see if the LED comes on. If not, the board or the power supply is dead, and it's easy to rule out the power supply by using it in another system.

I will pop out the CPU and RAM and see what happens. I already ruled out the PS so that is about all that is left. I will be real annoyed if a brand new retail 2700 is blown.:| The machine was powered on for all of 2 minutes.

Edit: Definitely the board. No light with a bare board. Doggone I was looking forward to playing with this machine this weekend.

 

[vicwang]

Is anyone else unable to OC their FSB above ~150 mhz?

I've tried jacking up the RAM voltage, AGP voltage, CPU voltage, using all Optimal settings, and I've tried the latest official and Uber BIOS'es. Nothing has even allowed me to reach a stable (i.e. able to loop 3DMark 2001) 150 mhz FSB, even when significantly underclocking the multiplier.

Here's my config:

Athlon XP 2100+ Thoroughbred B
A7N8X Deluxe
Thermalright AX-7 heatsink + 80mm high-speed Panaflo fan
2 DIMMS of Kingmax PC2700 DDR SDRAM
Geforce 4 TI4200
Enermax Whispersys 350w power supply (all voltages OK)
Barebones setup with no PCI cards, one HDD and one optical drive
120mm high-speed Panaflo intake fan
CPU temps (according to Asus Probe) in mid-40's C

I wonder if my board is just defective, since obviously these boards are supposed to support 166/333 mhz FSB procs.

 

[mechBgon]

I suggest setting your memory to Sync and see if that helps. As it is, you've got the memory and CPU running out of sync (if you're using all Optimal settings) which gives the nForce2 boards bad karma. They like the harmony of a synchronous CPU/memory bus

Also, you may want to try using just one memory module at a time.

 

[magomago]

IMO Its your RAM. Is it on Green PCB or Red PCB? I had both and they were HORRIBLE...they can't run at their own friggin spec.

I highly reccomend to RMA them and exchange them for some Crucial RAM

btw, I'm currently doing 166*9.5 (howveer I can't go higher on the multiplier else windoze won't boot)


As for the temps...that all depends on air flow.

 

[mechBgon]

Hey magomago, have you done any memory OC'ing on your Crucial PC2700? Does it OC? With the prices like they are right now, it sure is tempting to pick some up...

 

[magomago]

well, its running at 166 (preformance I picked in the bios options) with looser timings

but I really don't know how to oc memory

but the reason i bought it was because of favorable reviews...

and yes they were a steal @ crucial....something like 55 dollars a peice

 

[NewPCBuilder]

To Magomago,

I'm the one that asked about the PCI video card. Thanks very much for taking the time to try your PCI video cards. And for all the information in your original reply.

You mentioned the FS/FT forums. As I said, I'm new to building. Where do I go to access these forums.

AnandTech is a great resource.

--- NewPCBuilder

 

[magomago]

To access the For Sale/ For Trade Forums (Abbreviated FS/FT) Scroll to the top and click on "Navigation" and move it to FOR SALE/FOR TRADE

But you have to enable your profile because that is part of the rules.

And you have to be very vigilant because a good deal gets sucked up immediately.

 

[donmarrow]

OK...

Here is a dooooozie!

The cable for my Power Supply that connect to the Asus Case Fan and Power Supply Fan are compatible with my Mother Board. My PS has a 6 pin cable for the fans which worked fine with my previous MB (Gigabyte) but not with the ASUS because there is no room to connect it.

Look at the MB and to the right and left of each fan connector is something which blocks my PS connector.

So, I'm looking for suggestions for a PS that has separate fan connection cables????

Thanks,

Don