What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

[arredondo]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-157-035&depa=1

I've read a bit about it and the only review and benchmarks look decent:

http://www.ocworkbench.com/2004/asrock/k8%20combo-z/g1.htm

For someone who might consider buying it with a 3200+ just so I can upgrade to the top 939 processor a year or so down the road, what do you think?

[T Bell]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Wow. Depending on price, that would be the motherboard of my dreams. It would knock the MSI K8N Neo Platinum out of my mind altogether. I have got to check this board out. Wait a minute. It's $77 from Newegg but it has an ALi M1689 chipset, no firewire, and probably crappy onboard sound compared to the Neo Platinum. Hmmm. Anybody else?

[wayout44]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Another thing to consider is that when you upgrade to a s939 CPU you will have to use the onboard video as you will no longer to be able to use the AGP slot once the s939 adapter board is installed.

[Morgan_Lander]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Where'd you get that from? OC Workbench ran their tests on the board and had either a Radeon 9700 or Radeon 9800 in them. Last I checked, these were only available in AGP format.

[arredondo]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

He's talking about the other board that requires you to install the 939 socket I think, not this one.

Apparently Asus is now making boards with the Ali chipset now, so it's not too bad I imagine. I don't need firewire and how hard is it to make decent sound these days? I hope to find out more reviews on it soon.

[wayout44]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Where'd you get that from? OC Workbench ran their tests on the board and had either a Radeon 9700 or Radeon 9800 in them. Last I checked, these were only available in AGP format.

Yes they also ran them with a s754 CPU (the article states that s939 results will come later) but once you put the s939 daughter board into place a video card will have no room to fit with the s939 CPU in the way.

[arredondo]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

What are you talking about? Look at the board... the 939 socket (big yellow patch) is no where near the AGP socket (left side with the thin purple cap):

http://www.ocworkbench.com/2004/asrock/k8%20combo-z/Picture%201461%20copy.jpg

As a matter of fact, they tested the 9800XT with the FX 53 on the board but you have to read the review twice (the links branches halfway through).

[wayout44]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Sorry but I got that mainboard confused with this other one of their's, http://www.ocworkbench.com/2004/asro...e-760gx/g1.htm

[arredondo]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Yeah, you're right about that one. What were they thinking? Who would spring for a 939 processor and settle for intergrated graphics?

In any case, any other opinions on this product? It sounds like it might be a decent purchase for those who don't like to upgrade their whole system often.

[T Bell]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

I will have to wait and see how the reviews are on this one. I would like to see other boards with this same thinking. But as for now, my MSI is still on my list. I just don't know much about the chipset.

[Darthtanion]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

T Bell... you a gamer? If so then you might want to look at a VIA based board instead of the nForce3 MSI. I'll be posting a small roundup soon of a few s939 boards and so far the VIA does a little better in the gaming department. Just something to think about.

[Yawgm0th]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Not in socket 754 systems... The MSI K8N Neo Platinum is a socket 754 board.

[Darthtanion]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Ah, mis-read his system board. Add a little "2" behind the Neo and that is the only difference between model numbers to a s939 board.

[Yawgm0th]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

Yep. Only thing is, the MSI K8N Neo Platinum 2 is still just as good as, if not better than the VIA K8T800 equivelents...
I'd recommend you read this article. I'll certainly take a look at your test results, but overall it shows some of the best performance, including gaming performance.

[T Bell]

Re: What do you guys think of this 754/939 combo board?

I would consider myself a console convert. I have a playstation but know that the PC is the way to go. I am building my first computer, hopefully before the new year. Tight now, I would call myself a medium gamer as opposed to the full out hardcore gamer. I thought the nForce3 was a good chipset for gaming, if not the best. I am really waiting on that roundup.