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Date:	Thu, 25 Mar 2004 20:38:36 PST8PDT,4,1,0,3600,10,-1,0,7200,3600
From:	"Larry Tawa" <laror2004@speakeasy.net >
Reply-To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Help: A7N8X deluxe motherboard

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In <67489.17.03.38.22.03.2004@constellation.carrier>, on 03/22/2004
at 04:55 PM, "J. R. Fox" said:

>Larry Tawa wrote:

>> PS - I plan to install on a new box (building next week) with DVD-R/RW,
>> Windows and then eCS 1.1 on an ASUS A7N8X 2.0 deluxe motherboard; if you
>> have any specific situation you wish me to test, let me know. FWIW, the
>> eCS 1.1 will be used to backup the data for my home network on the other
>> boxes to DVD - in theory..... --
>> -----------------------------------------------------------

>Larry,

>I'm sure someone else will find your results useful. Just curious -- any
>particular
>reasons why you selected this MB ? Can you summarize its notable
>features (what's
>built-in, or not) ?

>I have been using ASUS exclusively (not counting the recent XPC kit),
>since 1997.

>Jordan

Jordan,

First - ASUS reputation.

Second - who knows the most about fast reliable cost-effective *home*
computing? IMO, gamers......... "PC Magazine" and "PC World" have been
noted on the SCOUG lists. If I were a gamer, one hard copy magazine that
I would consider - "Maximum PC" with the CD. Since I am not a gamer, I
now get "Maximum PC" without the CD. IIRC, 8/2003 "Maximum PC" built two
machines - one without regard to cost while the other less than $1000.
The latter machine was built on an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2 motherboard
with an Athlon XP CPU. The latest issue of "Maximum PC" still regards the
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2 as the motherboard of choice for Athlon XP CPUs.

A simplistic scheme: the Athlon A7N8X - plain version will work with DDR
but lacks SATA and only has one LAN - NVDIA but otherwise very good. The
Athlon A7N8X-X will *not* work with DDR. The Athlon A7N8X deluxe Rev 2
which has two 10/100 LAN and SATA and is DDR capable developed into the
A7N8X-E (rev 1.2 in 12/03?) which has one 10/100 LAN and one GB LAN and
wireless capability (if you buy the 802.11b Wi-Fi accessory card).

If you buy a version of the Athlon A7N8X, make sure it has FSB400 and DDR
capable. Last month, only the A7N8X-E is widely available; the A7N8X
deluxe Rev 2 was minimally available from small sellers at $90 plus
tax/shipping.

(3) <http://www4.tomshardware.com/column/20031204/> with a grain of salt.

<http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?Submit=TOPSELLER&DEPA=0> last
year when the ASUS A7N8X deluxe was hot was frequently on this list; the
A7N8X-E has not made this list.

(4) tomshardware.com is a good resource but each reader comes away with
their own coclusion. Check out:
<http://www4.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030721/index.html> and you
tell me which of these motherboards you would pick.

(5) numerous online review sites not as well known as tomshardware.com.
See Google.

(6) GenMAC is suppose to work on the ASUS A7N8X;
<http://www.os2warp.be/index2.php?name=genmac> ; I am using GenMAC v2.0
release 3 20040127 version. On my ASUS A7N8X deluxe rev2, GenMAC sees the
3COM LAN but not the NVDIA LAN. I did not test GenMAC on the ASUS A7N8X -
its in Claremont and my users do not have internet access at home.

My problem with the Injoy Firewall v3.0 latest public beta may be with the
direct interaction with the GenMAC driver. I am now using on this box
with Injoy Firewall 1.4, a SMC LAN 10/100 PCI card with Realtek 8139 chip
and overall feels more stable. At some point when I have my test box with
an ASUS A7N8X deluxe rev 2, I have some questions to pose..........

I have not installed audio on these systems.

(7) I have felt there are problems with SIO Professional 2.03 and thus am
using ibm's com.sys (see my prior post); on the OS/2 hardware mailing list
where I stated my observations on the ASUS A7N8X, two people say that SIO
Professional 2.03 will work - well I will test at some time but not right
now...........

(8) Bottom line - I like the mature ASUS A7N8X series - each of these
motherboards has strengths and weaknesses.

Yes, there are more advanced motherboards with faster CPUs, faster RAM,
available but pick your price point.

The ASUS A7N8X deluxe rev 2 has a very strong reputation.

Hope this rambling helps.

Larry

PS I do not work for "Maximum PC" .

--
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Larry Tawa"
-----------------------------------------------------------

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