The 750i and 780i came out on pretty much the same time. The 790i is the newest. I still recommend the P7N SLI Platinum, but if you happen to stumble across a board with 16x even on SLI (PCI-E 2.0 does not matter, small difference in performance), that may cost up to, well, about 200$, give or take, could you tell me (eventually link a review?). I'm not interested in P35's, I don't like ATI so I won't ever Crossfire.
I don't plan on going SLI, so that ATI thing is not an issue with me, and I will be using an NVIDIA card. From that review you linked to on the MSI: The Bad - IO performance (although this is more an Nvidia problem) Another review of this board is here: http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ3NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA== While the price of this board is good, there are some issues reported on newegg.com, but there are issues with all motherboards. I am still considering the MSI board, but I need to know if I can monitor 3 fan headers with Speedfan or Hmonitor. I registered at one of those review site forums and will be asking that question hoping to get an answer. I still haven't ruled out the Abit IP35 Pro, and still looking around for something I may have missed, but so far it seems to be either the Abit or MSI. As for support, I think Abit has the edge over MSI, especially with forum support.
He has it, and he seems to love it. The IO performance really isn't that big a deal, but you know, they have to list everything. Here's the topic he wrote it in: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=259670 And dude, I can monitor 2-3 fan headers on this crappy Asrock board. Of course you can on a 750i
Well, I can only monitor two fan headers on my ASUS A8N -SLI Premium, and, I want the next board to monitor 3 fan headers or it will not get my money. If the MSI board can monitor 3 fan headers, then it likely will be tops on my list, which so far only has the Abit IP35 Pro, which is fading because of you, and the MSI board.
Peezee, Here is a very interesting post from someone who builds systems and comments on the Abit IP35 Pro: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1297481
That review certainly does not seems very professional. I'd still prefer the MSI P7N. It has all you'll ever need, with a very effective copper heatsink. And after all, you want it to be cool with no moving parts? Also, 3x PCI-E ports. That's just made of win. I know you probably won't need it, but it is sort of future-proof. You can go 3-way SLI...
Peezee, First, that wasn't a review, just someone who builds systems commenting on his experiences with ASUS and Abit. You can find reviews of both the Abit and MSI on this Web site: http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=6&id=2420 http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=6&id=2474 I agree that the MSI board offers value, but the value is only because of the PCI-E x16 being 2.0 versus Abit being 1.1. Otherwise, the Abit IP35 Pro seems to offer better performance. Now, here are some excerpts from a real review: "In PCMark05, we saw the same type of trends in subsystem performance for the P7N SLI Platinum as that of the ASUS P5N-T Deluxe. You'll notice that the board actually scored high in its CPU and Memory subsystems, but still loses out in the System workload, which again points to weaker graphics performance." http://www.hardwarezone.com.au/reviews/view.php?cid=6&id=2474&pg=5 "In fact, when you think about it, MSI's P7N SLI Platinum has all three slots that are PCI Express 2.0 compliant, compared to the generic nForce 780i SLI configuration, which leverages on the MCP (Southbridge) for its third PCI Express x16 lane, which is only PCIe 1.0 compliant. There are some compromises of course with the major one being that MSI's configuration isn't supported by NVIDIA, which means that there is no official 3-Way SLI support, if the drivers will even work in the first place. Still, having all its graphics slots on PCIe 2.0 is a major strong point for the P7N SLI Platinum." http://www.hardwarezone.com.au/reviews/view.php?cid=6&id=2474&pg=8
I have an Asrock mobo & to be fair they are cheap bought Nov 2006 but I can honestly say after first week or so its run great with either a 6800gt agp card & or my present 7800gtx pcie I do run vista & Xp & again with my present set up everything is rock solid admittedly they o/c poorly mine will only do a miserly 12% o/c but I didnt get it for that just something to move along with from my old 3200xp Athlon /Gigabyte GA-7n400pro based sytem (bought 2nd hand on ebay about 4yrs+ago LOL ! & there again that mobo is good but wouldnt o/c at all but it did the job at the time its still running with 6600gt in it (fanless as it happens) keep hoping it will finally blow so i can have the excuse to build a new one based around a P35chipset model ASus or Gigabyte, not really fussy they both have a couple of minus points unless you pay for top o' range Asus P5k Pro/Premium which seems to be the flavour of the moment in P35 mobos
From all that I've read, ASUS is one brand to stay away from; their current P-35 boards are lots of trouble. Go to Newegg and read the comments listed for ASUS boards. The MSI board PeeZee recommends is a nice board and I am still considering it. The Abit IP35 Pro seems like it might be a better choice but is PCI-E 1.1 versus the 2.0 of MSI with pricing very close.
I am not talking about the older boards, such as yours and mine, I am talking about their new and current boards. Check out Newegg and read the comments about their new boards. Also, you can read what a builder of systems posted on a forum--he was using ASUS motherboards only for new builds until the current crap, excuse me, current crop of new boards gave nothing but trouble. I think I linked to that post above.
Maybe they got a bad batch dunno as dont (cant) buy from newegg heres one of UK's main pc parts dealers Overclockers... see there customers quotes about Asus etc http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=5&subid=913
Here is that link I mentioned about the guy who builds computer systems and why he switched off ASUS and went to Abit: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1297481
I don't believe the site, practically all their offerings have 5 stars and others 4 1/2 stars, which looks like nonsense to me.
Heres another it s same for all the motherboards listed I dont think they make em up these are major sellers in UK http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Components/cat/Motherboards-Intel?refmen=tn
dude i understand what you are saying but that link is just to a forum thread nothing but an opinion like on here TBH
I find it amazing there are so many great boards. All I can say is if you believe all that stuff, go buy it.
LOL i know what you mean dude but after reading reviews, etc then seeing these comments where do you look next ?:bang:
I looked on Newegg and read reviews of their P-35 boards and that was enough for me. I also read on various forums about the quality build of ASUS today and that was enough for me. So, I eliminated ASUS from my considerations.
Abit. Perhaps MSI. The build quality of Abit is superb from all that I've read. MSI offers real value with their P7N SLI Platinum board. It really depends on what you want in terms of a motherboard and then looking at the reviews on www.newegg.com to get an idea of what people say, and then make your choice and hope for the best. Any manufacturer can have a problem here and there, but I would go with those that seem like a good choice based on what people say.