Which nforce3 250GB board?

[disco_bazoon]

Topic says it all. I'm jumping on the a64 bandwagon, with 512k 3200+ or a 512k 3000+. Is the 200 extra MHz worth the cost of the 3200+ btw?
Anyway, I want overclockability, and at the same time stability *duh*, so which board should I go for? I have just gotten one gig (2x512) of ocz pc3500eb, which performs horribly in my nf7, so I decided that it's time to change.
Which of all the 250 boards has the highest stock vdimm? I see most boards stop at 2.8v, which kinda sucks.
I've been looking at the MSI K8N Neo and the Epox 8KDA3+, they both seem good, but believe the MSI allows a tiny bit higher vdimm..?

[eclypse]

I dont know if the MSI can use a gig of ram or not but the Epox can! That plus since the vdimm runs off the 5v rail means you can have all the voltage ya want with a super easy vdimm mod.. Go with the epox!

[Jasonxxx]

The MSI is running 250 - 265mzh with 2 X 512mb sticks of either OCZ 3700EB or ADATA 4000. w/ 2.85v vdimm..

If the Epox is able to vdimm mod easily and runs stable at high mhz, I would go with the Epox. At least for now.. As soon as the Neo Plat has a the vdimm figured out, it might shine..

[Arkangyl]

Go EPoX, MSI seems flakey as hell; might get a good one... might not....

[disco_bazoon]

Hmmm...Right, tough desicion there.
Well, I've heard alot of good things about the MSI, but also alot of bad things. As I understand it, their quality control sucks mayor ass. Personally I have nothing but good experiences with MSI, they've never been the best clockers, but the built quality has been good. Right as it is now, I want the best stock board. Mods will for sure come in later - but right now I just want my main pc up again. It's been down for a week now! *gaaah*
If you take the MSI's 0.05v higher vdimm into consideration, which would you choose? How high would you recon I could push this pc3500 eb with only 2.8-2.85vdimm?

Oh, when is that vdimm booster from ocz due? That thing is sweet for us who aren't too steady with the soldering iron :D

Thanks.

Edit: Oh! And doesn't the MSI board allow a higher stock vcore?
And while we're at it, what's a safe range of voltage to use on a64's with proper air cooling? *mayor a64 n00b alert* :P

[Reflex1]

currently the MSI has 1.81vcore whereas the epox has 1.7 ...but there will be a new bios out later with a vcore option to 1.85v (there is currently already a beta Bios out with that vcore option, but has some problems).

[disco_bazoon]

Really? Any hope there will be a bios with higer vdimm aswell?
Arrr the desicion is getting harder and harder. lol

[disco_bazoon]

Hm, after much reading, I think I will go for the Epox 8KDA3+ and a 3200+ newcastle. The MSI board just seems to have too many weird issues, and I don't want that. Hopefully there will be new bioses out for the Epox board which will allow higher vcore&vdimm.

Anyway, I won't order until tomorrow, so any more input before I order?

[china17]

MSI............is not fit for OC

[disco_bazoon]

Oh, btw, how is the Chaintech VNF3-250? It looks like a solid board, with 2.9v vdimm available. The only real bad thing is the lack of multiplier adjustment. Or are there already a new bios out that allows it?

[Jasonxxx]

As far as Vcore goes, if you are going to use Aircooling you will not be able to use any more than 1.75v...

The epox does seem the better choice... The MSI's does seem to have a problem with Newcastle cores and the temperature readings.. A new bios will fix this though.. I have only used a CG Clawhammer and have had no problems with my temps..

The EB3500 has performed on par with any other board on the MSI, which about 240mhz - 260mhz depending on how good your sticks are..

I do know that Epox motherboards are usually able to OC very well with mods.. I owned every NF2 board that Epox produced and was very happy, but not with out some problems and RMA's..

I would go for the Epox since I have not heard of any issues with the Newcastle cores....

[Reflex1]

Originally posted by disco_bazoon
Oh, btw, how is the Chaintech VNF3-250? It looks like a solid board, with 2.9v vdimm available. The only real bad thing is the lack of multiplier adjustment. Or are there already a new bios out that allows it? This Chaintech has no multiplier control in the Bios :(

[Theo]

The epox is the clear winner at this point in time, with vdimm and vcore mods worked out and a couple of overclocks reported in the 2.6-2.8 range. It really gets to me how everyone is clinging to the 1:1 divider stuff, there is no performance hit from running 5:4 and a clear gain to be had from having a 300 htt and a 240 memory clock.

[disco_bazoon]

Yeah, I think I've made up my mind - The 8KDA3+ it is.
Will hopefully order the stuff soon.