uATX Results

[deansdad]

Originally posted by: Gary Key
Let's cut to the chase before I get the final roundup completed -

We're very much looking forward to seeing this P35 review after the much anticipated µATX MB round-up is posted.

[/quote]

The µATX turned into a monster that has consumed my life for the most part and you will see why this week. As far as the P35 boards, we have provided results for six boards so far, this next series addresses the low to midrange market. Except for the last two boards, all tests are completed, have to write it up here shortly.[/quote]

Seems it's a little more than just "testing/P35/roundup".
GK has, in the P35 thread you referenced, posted more times in the last couple of hours then he did in the last 4 or 5 months on the µATX MB round-up threads.

Then, when he finally does acknowledge that promises have been made, over and over again and not met - over and over again....leaves the faithful with this sage pontification....
".....and you will see why this week"

gee......didn't seem to have any trouble "defending" his position on the P35 thread.
wonder why it's a state secret, info blackout, can't be bothered to address even the "fanboys" when it comes to "µATX MB round-up".

Integrity was let out of the barn long ago.
Seems we've now moved on to arrogance.

The sad news (for those willing to accept the truth) is that, as others have stated quite eloquently.....AT shot themselves in the foot, they've no one to blame but themselves.

The *really* sad news is that those of us that were hoping against hope that it wouldn't come to this, and even the *fanboys* who just blindly followed the lead of the head sheep, learned a lesson.

A pen (or keyboard), combined with an appropriate forum with which to disseminate the word, is a powerful tool.
One with instantly commands respect.
That respect; however, must be earned if it is to be maintained.

Sadly, we've seen what happens when it isn't.

Stay tuned though....because we've been promised (yet again) - the "perfect" excuse (version 12.06.1033w). Not a doubt in my mind that there is at least one fanboy (present company excluded, of course) on this thread who will have a positive "spin" on it.

There's a job in DC for him/her just calling his name.

 

[FireTech]

The series preview is up!!! :shocked:

:beer: :beer:

 

[imported_Kreed]

We also want to take this opportunity to put the manufacturers on notice: we will not countenance delays, patches, and numerous updates again, particularly on products that are available in the retail market! If a lemon of a motherboard gets released to consumers and it needs more BIOS tuning or perhaps an entirely new revision, we are going to do our best to point out the fact to the readers. We understand that it can be difficult to get every single peripheral to work properly, especially with new devices coming out all the time, but when a motherboard fails to work properly with a large number of USB devices, memory types, GPUs, etc. that product shouldn't be on the market.

Well said Gary!

 

[avi85]

Originally posted by: FireTech
The series preview is up!!! :shocked:

:beer: :beer:

...and it's about time!!!!!!!

 

[Mr Vain]

Sounds like Gary and the boys got a few gray hairs with this monster µATX review.
It looks like its going to be a very good quality review, perhaps the best on the net.

Thanks Gary and everyone else involved in bringing this review out.

 

[chucky2]

Originally posted by: Kreed

We also want to take this opportunity to put the manufacturers on notice: we will not countenance delays, patches, and numerous updates again, particularly on products that are available in the retail market! If a lemon of a motherboard gets released to consumers and it needs more BIOS tuning or perhaps an entirely new revision, we are going to do our best to point out the fact to the readers. We understand that it can be difficult to get every single peripheral to work properly, especially with new devices coming out all the time, but when a motherboard fails to work properly with a large number of USB devices, memory types, GPUs, etc. that product shouldn't be on the market.

Well said Gary!

X2!

Another thing: Expect a lot of hits to be coming from AVSForum, I'd think this review is going to very cater to the HTPC crowd there...

Chuck

 

[Zap]

OMFGWTFBBQ!!111!!!

We got... something...

22 motherboards :thumbsup:

BTW, I was at Quakecon and spent literally HOURS talking to the In Win reps. I've used In Win mATX cases before and while their Quakecon booth was showing off "gamer" versions of their ATX cases, no mATX lovin' was to be seen. I showed them some of my systems plus pointed out that many other manufacturers were offering "cube" style cases. The guy was only in sales, but he was definately interested in what I had to say.

 

[chucky2]

Went and checked with Gigabyte Sales on if they're planning to incorporate the AMD performance BIOS that the Inquirer reported on.

They said they were (which means it is for real, and not a rumor), and that they were regression testing it now and it'd be out at some point in the future.

So it's good news that AMD's performance BIOS for 690G is real, and also that at the minimum Gigabyte 690G owners will get to enjoy it (I'd expect other board manufacturers would use it as well).

Bummer that the review probably won't reflect it (unless AnandTech has a Beta?), but that's understandable...

Chuck

 

[Jester666]

looking forward to the full roundup

22 boards, wow.

 

[chucky2]

All of Gigabyte's 690 series have new BIOS's for them now, both weirdly have the same notes, "1. Improve HT bus overclocking."

Given the feedback from Gigabyte Sales, these couldn't be the AMD performance BIOS could they???

Chuck

 

[Skott]

I wonder how long we'll have to wait for the main review? If its done then post the whole dang thing! Stop the teasing and promises! :|

 

[Zap]

Almost a week after the preview and no main article.

 

[deansdad]

Originally posted by: Zap
Almost a week after the preview and no main article.

I'm guessing that there was at least a touch of cynicism in your comment.

If not, you and "chucky" would be the only two individuals left on the planet that actually believed ANYTHING that was "promised"/"stated"/"intimated" by those who have kept this "let's get hits at any cost" fiasco going on for HOW MANY MONTHS now?

 

[chucky2]

I don't know if I'd be the last individual to think it, but my position is I won't b1tch about not getting a free high quality review when I'm not ponying up the money, resources, or talent to do one myself.

When others start doing that instead of whining about not getting something they wanted, then maybe I'll think about changing my view...

...until then, it's like anything else in this world: You make your decision when you feel you have to based on the best info you've been able to gather.

For those than can wait, wait. For those that can't, do your research elsewhere (which you should be doing anyways regardless of what AnandTech puts out) and make your decision.

Chuck

 

[Gary Key]

The first article goes up on the 21st that features the Intel G33 and ATIX1250 boards, then we will roll-out the AMD 690G boards about four or five days later, and then finish up with the NV6150/7050 boards about 4 days afterwards. In between, and after the motherboard articles we will be having the side bar articles on the various components we utilized in testing and then the system buildups in the second week of September. All tests utilize the latest drivers and BIOS releases as of last week. We were also able to include the new Galaxy 8600GTS HDMI card and passive 2400XT and 2600XT cards for the HTPC buildup. Our m-ATX gaming rig will include a revised MSI 8800GTS card along with a couple of other surprises. See on you on the 21st...

 

[Binky]

Ohhhh....only 5 more days.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Gary Key
The first article goes up on the 21st

OOoohhhh, we have a set date!

:thumbsup:

 

[chucky2]

Hey Gary, any word on when the new performance BIOS for the 690G boards will be available?

From the sounds of it, it's really supposed to make a difference with video codecs, wouldn't be surprised if it helped in gaming some too...it'd definitely be relevant to the results and recommendations of your review.

Thanks either way!

Chuck

 

[JKing76]

Originally posted by: chucky2
I don't know if I'd be the last individual to think it, but my position is I won't b1tch about not getting a free high quality review when I'm not ponying up the money, resources, or talent to do one myself.

When others start doing that instead of whining about not getting something they wanted, then maybe I'll think about changing my view...

That's a really stupid attitude to take. It's not a "free" review unless your time is worthless. Anandtech is a business. How many extra ad serves have they gotten from people hammering the front page and the forums looking for news about the uATX review?

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: Gary Key
The first article goes up on the 21st that features the Intel G33 and ATIX1250 boards, then we will roll-out the AMD 690G boards about four or five days later, and then finish up with the NV6150/7050 boards about 4 days afterwards. In between, and after the motherboard articles we will be having the side bar articles on the various components we utilized in testing and then the system buildups in the second week of September. All tests utilize the latest drivers and BIOS releases as of last week. We were also able to include the new Galaxy 8600GTS HDMI card and passive 2400XT and 2600XT cards for the HTPC buildup. Our m-ATX gaming rig will include a revised MSI 8800GTS card along with a couple of other surprises. See on you on the 21st...

Why are you dragging it out? At the very least put each article up one day after the other. If its done then post it. Why the long drag out??

 

[FireTech]

Originally posted by: Skott
Why are you dragging it out? At the very least put each article up one day after the other. If its done then post it. Why the long drag out??

Agreed. It's been 5 months so far....??
And no chucky 2, I'm not keen to wait patiently a little longer

 

[imported_Kreed]

So FireTech, which board(s) have you got your eyes on? I've got mine on the Abit AN-M2HD. I am looking for a linux based solution. Until ATI/AMD proves me wrong, NVIDIA seems to be better when it comes to Linux drivers. It would be interesting to see how this board stacks up in the review.

 

[FireTech]

Originally posted by: Kreed
So FireTech, which board(s) have you got your eyes on? I've got mine on the Abit AN-M2HD. I am looking for a linux based solution. Until ATI/AMD proves me wrong, NVIDIA seems to be better when it comes to Linux drivers. It would be interesting to see how this board stacks up in the review.

Mainly between the Asus MA2-VM HDMI (used one for my parents PC) or the Abit AN-M2HD (which I didn't think we'd get in Oz - but have :thumbsup: ).
The Gigabyte S2H was also an option until I saw the PCIe x4 slot position (cooked tv card anyone?).
I'm still undecided on using MythTV or a Windows based option, so getting a board that will accept either would be a bonus really.
From word of mouth here in Oz, it seems the Abit may be the better of the two for pure HTPC usage but that's all prior to the recent 690G bios upgrade....
We'll just have to wait an see Garys opinion.

 

[JKing76]

Put it in one of the x16 slots.

 

[FireTech]

Originally posted by: JKing76
Put it in one of the x16 slots.

Damn you lateral thinkers... :laugh:

There is only one 16x slot, one 4x & two PCI slots so using up the 16x for a tv card removes the option of a decent graphics update sometime down the line.