Another new build advice thread

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by LOCOENG, Oct 7, 2007.

  1. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    but that's the thing, those reviews will only study what a product is like from the outset, not what it's like to live with. My A8N board seemed the best thing since sliced bread when I first had it, a few months later, that illusion dissolved.
     
  2. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    Sam
    I noticed the P5NE is considered by some to be a midrange board. Also the E was replaced by the P5ND which has the revised chipset for use with the 45 nm architecture. From a review done by Tomshardware last May I wouldn't use one of those boards except for a budget build. I know what I'm going to do and the board doesn't have the quality features I want.
    http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/24/seven_650i_sli_motherboards_compared/page4.html
    Now that's what I call a reliable link. They give you the info to help make up your mind besides giving their impression.

    (Bad typing)
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2008
  3. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    Sam
    I'm glad you pointed out another of the "pinches" with the Egg reviews; first impressions.

    The nVidia chipsets used in the A8N line have a reputation for good service. I regret you had problems with your board. I would have suggested a slightly more upscale board for an enthusiast using their system a lot (sometimes 24/7). Even the A8N32 is considered a midrange board (in comparison to highend gamers). You often get what you pay for, as in the case of that cheap PSU that burned down your PC. That's why I won't hedge on core components.
     
  4. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    Probably not, but it got your attention didn't it.

    The difference between you and Sam calling each other down in this thread is the fact that you are both established members of the site, whereas when I PM'd you a while back (instead of airing our dirty laundry on the open forum for all to see) was you were doing it to new potential members. Surely you can see the difference.

    I did go with the Corair PSU in the end and the debate wasn't the problem it was the non-stop nagging at anyone who would give an opinion that differed from yours. Everyone has an opinion, give it once it'll be heard and move on. Now you are going on and on asking for links, data and backup for the statements Sam (and Russ, who AFAIK hasn't even posted in this thread) has made. I don't see where you have the right to demand that information, if you feel you infact to then take it to a PM.

    As far as me giving Sammy gold stars for "standing up for my honor", I don't need anyone to stand up for me. I've read through his other posts and I don't see anything off hand as it's usually intelligent, level-headed responses from someone who is willing to take the time to answer the posts most others don't/won't. I've not asked you to stop posting but rather stop with the attitude, you know this, but seem to keep sidestepping the issue accusing me of putting a damper on your posting and reading of the forum.

    I really was going to let this go, but as it happens I did get a PM with a concern about your and Sam's debate yesterday which prompted my post. You see I'm not the only who has a problem with the attitude. Stay or not as I said earlier the choice is yours.

    Believe it or not, I hope you decide to stick around as I feel the more knowledgeable people the better. I would never wish ill will upon anyone...I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of keeping your friends close and your enemy's closer.

    Have a nice day all....carry on.
     
  5. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    On an aside...while I usually read the most current user reviews on the Egg of a product I'm looking at I don't lend them much credence. I think it's a flawed system TBH. Someone who may be a bit humble states their experience as low, but may be quite high, gives the board a great review and then someone who hasn't a clue states their experience as high gives a crap review and isn't qualified to put together a snap-tight model.
     
  6. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    I too know that a lot of the reviewers on newegg are somewhat lacking in the tech common sense department, but while I trust Tom's Hardware more than most, they're too high profile to ignore the prospect of them being sent engineering samples rather thah normal genuine versions of the product. Their review of the P5N-E SLI for instance is flattering as it's one of the early versions before Asus made whatever change it was that turned them into oversized paperweights.
    The nForce 4 Ultra has been a success story for everyone I know that's owned one. The nForce 4 SLI less so, and indeed when both my Asus boards failed I was in fact pointing the blame more at nvidia than Asus, but after noticing the quirks with my Xpress 200 chipset Asus board and hearing some mutter about issues with other boards, and I went out to have a look. In the top-end sector, Asus have a better QC for their higher boards than Gigabyte, this much is clear. If I was going all out to get a top-end board Asus is who I'd recommend over Gigabyte, drop down below £80 though, and the situation is reversed.

    I've been criticised heavily in the past for taking my point of view to extremes and recognise that I have still improvements to make in that department, but to be honest, there's nothing even being argued about here any more.
     
  7. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    LOCO
    Glad you pointed out the Egg review idiot factor. I'd be called condescending if I did it. LOL

    You're right about the situation. Play in dirt and you get dirty.

    I like reviews from PC World, Tomshardware, and Anandtech (and a few others I read less frequently). The Gigabyte DS3 and ASUS P5 (were considered comparable)
    http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2860
    The older A8N was for AMD 939 and has nothing to do with C2D; well before its time. PC World ran tests on 10 boards for a review back when the 939 AMD was king. The A8N was a top board.
    http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,119984-page,1/article.html
    Doing a Google, I noticed the DS3 is getting a large number of complaints about different problems. Just punch in DS3 problems for an interesting read.
    http://www.google.com/search?q=DS3+...-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

    LOL You stole my line.

    I'll usually go with the majority of professional reviews on board and other hardware selection; and if a friend has had good luck with it that adds to the good rep. If my friend says bad, I usually ask why? I try not to take any one opinion, though I weight some over others.

    You're right on nothing being argued about. Just a difference of personal opinions. I'll still tend to ask for supporting info anytime anyone starts stating products are bad. Plus I can often readily supply a basis for my opinions over a personal take.
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2008
  8. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    They are known to have problems with certain types of memory, and had a storage controller bug if I recall. I also, however, recall the P5N-E having an issue where getting the system to even POST with all four memory slots in use was nearly impossible, let alone actually running the PC stable. No board is free from problems, there have even been some with the Maximus Formula. Look up any board with the word problems after and you get the same result, unsurprisingly. Also, note that most of those issues from that google are for the older 965P-DS3, not the P35s I recommend.
     
  9. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    Glad you pointed out most boards have their foibles. Better companies address those with improvements. As far as further discussion, I doubt it will do any good since most see this as a hostile environment. LOCO has been getting PMs. ;) ASUS and Gigabyte, both good and interested in improving and supporting the product. Nuff said.
     
  10. cincyrob

    cincyrob Active member

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    the configurator is for checking mem capatiblity.. im not worried about my mem it is fine.. wish ti showed other parts as well
     
  11. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    My bad. It was under the PSU. I should have looked closer. They do claim long cables. Good luck with the buy.
     
  12. FredBun

    FredBun Active member

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    Another build thread, ok I figure to give it a shot.
     
  13. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    Good luck. What do you want to build; a simple machine, something for working with audio and video, or a gamer? That goes from low budget to high end according to what you're willing to invest. Any way it goes, you'll want a CPU with the C2D architecture, dual or quad core.
     
  14. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    mobo back in and working...

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  15. greensman

    greensman Regular member

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    Nice LOCO!! ;) You find all the "neato" progies don't ya?? ;)

    ...gm
     
  16. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    Someone turned me onto OCCT I'm sure. :)

    Now I'm getting a lag sometimes....don't know what could be causing that.
     
  17. greensman

    greensman Regular member

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    lag?? what do you mean?? Like your video is lagging or your HDD seems to be working slowly?? I hope it's something simple and NOT another mobo issue.... sorry being negative... I'll NOT do that again. :D

    ....gm
     
  18. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    I think it was the quick install I did on XP...I think I'll redo it with a full install.

    Lag as in, get extremely slow when opening windows/folders etc. moving around in Winamp freezes momentarily. Task manager reports spikes in CPU...cursor lags periodically, move it an inch and in five seconds it's half way across the screen type stuff.
     
  19. greensman

    greensman Regular member

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    OH!! That's NOT good. ;) Yep a FRESH install might help things. ;)

    ...gm
     
  20. PacMan777

    PacMan777 Regular member

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    I wasn't timing it, but that appears to be a good turnaround on the board. Glad to see you got it going okay. With a fresh OS install, lets hope the "lag" goes away. If not, check the memory to make sure everything is going okay along those lines. I guess you already know you're not supposed to up any clock settings until the system is running at or close to peak.

    I use OCCT as well. Good program.
     

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