INTEL X38 or AMD 790X

[Alan McCloskey]

What new motherboard do you look most forward to its release? Why?

[Alan McCloskey]

I use an Asus P5W Deluxe motherboard right now (Intel 975 chipset), and don't see any reason to upgrade in the near future. I still have DDR2 RAM that's not using the board's full potential.

Most of the motherboards I've tested (reviews pending) aren't nearly as good as the Asus P5W, but when I run across one then I might change my tune.

[Alan McCloskey]

Agreed, this is why I am still using my ECS KA3 MVP with the 6000 X2 (I am going to replaced it with the newer 6400 X2 when released). I am looking to upgrade my entire system as soon as these boards are released and benched. At that time, based on performance and cost...I will have one of the above boards and their best processor at the time of purchase.

I never liked ECS until I used this board. I wanted to try a 580X crossfire setup and chose this one. I hope that the 790 will have a broader manufacturer offer and based on the Computex 2007 there will be.

I have always felt that amd boards offer more bells and whistles for the money. this is what makes them attractive. But that X38 just may change this.

I upgrade once a year, but this is the first time that I have held on to a system this long. My wife is happy but I am getting the itch to upgrade....the wait game is on.

[Alan McCloskey]

I go back and forth with which architecture to use as AMD and Intel trump each other.

I was hard-core Pentium until the Athlon XPs came out and I just could not resist the price point. I eventually upgraded to Athlon 64, but would only use nVidia chipsets (I stay away from VIA and SiS on with either CPU).

While nVidia chipsets had alot of features and performance, the test of time has shown that many of my nForce-4 based motherboards have all died. My old Pentium4 2.8Ghz HT (with Intel chipset) is still older than all of them and ist still running like a champ.

It appears that while the Athlon 64 are good chips, 3rd party motherboard chipsets were bad. I've had FOUR nForce-4 motherboards die or parts fail (even from reputable name brands).

In my book, if you're going to use an Intel CPU, only use Intel chipsets. Period.

[Alan McCloskey]

That is sound advice, I agree 100%, the 650i and 680i are good chipsets though but get hot.

I used VIA for the longest time, the last one I used and is still running was the MSI K8T Neo and is still running. I recently gave my MSI K7T266 Pro 2 to a friend, he had nothing but now has something. Both boards are still solid performers.
I built my son a system using a Epox 9NPA+SLI and it is still going strong. I have used the NF4 Ultra and it is still going strong (gave it to my 10 year old for gaming), My first AMD/ATI chipsets are the ones I am presently using...the 580X and the 690 and they both have proved to be strong. None of the the chipsets have ever failed.
I have used the MSI P965 without any issues either.
I can't think of any system over the years that I remember every failing me or a customer from normal use. I guess I was lucky.

[Alan McCloskey]

Personally, I can't wait for the replacement to the Bad Axe.

[Alan McCloskey]

well the Intel D975XBX has a new replacement ...the P35 right now, but the X38 (release in the near future) will offer PCI Express 2.0 and dual x16 PCI Express slots among its new features. I am not sure if it will support SLI but will in crossfire on AMD's new 2950 pro cards coming out sounds really intriguing.

this just may entice me to build Intel setup.
well the Asus P5E3 Deluxe X38 Preview is here!


http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/Asus...w%21/5217.html

now lets hope they are available to buy soon, as with the 790X coming soon.

I look forward mostly to the 790X motherboard. This will usher the new AMD Phenom (K-10).

With the release of both of these 2 pieces of hardware this ushers AMD's new product line for tomorrows computing. Coupled this setup with the new and upcoming 2950 pro in crossfire....you will have a killer gaming machine....

[Alan McCloskey]

Hehehehe... take a look at harpertown:

www.theinquirer.net/?article=42423

[Alan McCloskey]

Well it is the Inquirer....needless to say Intel has the crown for now, but just recently got it back from AMD with their C2D. But AMD had it for a few years prior to that....things will always flip flop....this makes for a good market for everyone.
It isn't about loyalty it is about getting the most from your money. AMD always rebounds with something cool and from what they have been releasing in their usual paper trail, it looks really interesting. Especially with AMD cooking up tri-core desktop chips. This should put pressure on Intel's C2D chips. I would rather have tri core than dou core, and a on board memory controller. (something that Intel will be adding in the future, thanks to AMD's innovation).

So all together the Intel and AMD fanboys will enjoy the next step in progress. As for me, I like something that is more groundbreaking and AMD if they come through as history has proven they have in the past, well looks more appealing to me.

[MUSTANGPC]

ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

SPECIFICATIONS
Model
Brand ASUS
Model M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM2+/AM2
CPU Type Phenom FX / Phenom / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 X2
FSB 2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge AMD 790FX
South Bridge AMD SB600
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 1066
Maximum Memory Supported 8GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 4 x PCIe x16 with ATI CrossFireX support, @ dual x16; triple x16 / x8 / x8; or quad x8 modes
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 6
SATA RAID 0/1/0+1
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset ADI AD1988
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 1
USB 6 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin 24 Pin