nForce2 Based Mainboards – 3957 days old

[Alakazam]

The leading mainboard manufacturers announced and showcased their solutions based on the new NVIDIA nForce2 chipsets. The remarkable thing is that the products shown are based on both: discrete and integrated chipsets, which will ensure that both solutions are equally represented in the market. And now let’s cast a quick glance at the available solutions and their features:

• ABIT NV7II-8X The board is based on nForce2 IGP, supports AGP 8x, features onboard ATA/133 RAID controller, 2+1 DIMM slots, USB 2.0 ports. It is equipped with 5 PCI slots, IEEE 1394 Firewire interface. It also supports APU sound. The product is due in early Q4. The picture is available here
• ASUS A7N8X This mainboard is based on nForce2 SPP, supports AGP Pro (8x), ATA/133 interface, SerialATA channels instead of the RAID support as in the previous item, 2+1 DIMM slots and USB 2.0. There are 5 PCI slots, full implementation of NVIDIA APU sound with the subwoofer option, etc. The integrated graphics core is disabled. See the picture here
• EPoX EP-8RDA+ This board is built on the discrete nForce2 SPP, supports AGP Pro (8x), ATA/133, 2+1 DIMM slots, USB 2.0. The mainboard boasts all the highs of the new MCP from NVIDIA, namely: 2 Ethernet, Dolby Digital sound, etc. There are 6 PCI slots onboard. The picture is available here
• EPoX EP-8RGA+ This is an nForce IGP based solution, supporting AGP 8x, 6 PCI slots, 2+1 DIMM slots, ATA/133, USB 2.0, FireWire, 2 Ethernet, Dolby Digital sound. It features a D-Sub Out to a single monitor. See the photo here
• Chaintech CT-7NJS This mainboard belongs to the Apogee class and is based on nForce2 with the integrated graphics core, which ensures 2 RGB Outs for monitors, i.e. the board supports nView. For the MCP they chose the regular “non-T” version, so the board features only 1 Ethernet, ATA/133 and USB 1.1. Also there is an additional controller implementing 1 IDE and 1 SerialATA channel. The sound is made with Chaintech’s favourite C-media chip, as they might have forgotten that NVIDIA MCP also boasts quite a nice sound implementation. 7NJS is built on a black PCB, features an AGP 8x slot, 5 yellow PCI slots and one even more yellow CNR slot. See the picture here
• Chaintech CT-7NIF The board is based on nForce2 IGP, features 1 D-Sub connector, 2+1 DIMM slots, supports ATA/133, USB 1.1 and C-media sound. This is the only MicroATX mainboard on NVIDIA nForce2 so far. It meets all the requirements for an OEM platform. See a picture of it here
• MSI MS-K7N2 This nForce2 IGP based product is equipped with 5 PCI slots, 2+1 DIMM slots, 1 CNR slot, 1 Ethernet, 3 ATA/133, 1 SerialATA, USB 2.0 and AGP 8x. The mainboard is built on MSI’s favourite red PCB. Here is a picture for you.

The new products are expected to hit the streets in August-September this year. The awaited pricing should rest around $100 or a bit higher.

Thanks to x-bitlabs for the excellent info

[Pigflipper]

Damn, I think I might have to save my money and/or sell my Abit kx7-333r and get one of these babies!

[ImaginAsian]

Comments:

ABIT - Has RAID but WTF, no socket hole mounts for Alpha or Swiftechs. Also looks like an extra +12V Power connector near the ATX conector.

ASUS - Only 2-phase MOSFET power, Serial ATA only may hamper upgraders wanting to carry over Parallel Drives.

EPOX - No RAID on either board. Ill Pass on both.

Chaintech - Tons of features but HELLO, why go with the CMedia and the Nforce 2 provides a much better audio solution. One Serial ATA and one Parallel a good mix. Pass on Micro-ATX.

MSI - Good mix of Serial and Parallel ATA. No socket holes either!!

I want that ABIT (has everything I need) but they have to put back the socket holes.

Grrr.....nothing outstanding yet.

[Alakazam]

I think it's going to be a long time before you see holes in any nVidia mobo, everything that I have read indicates clip cooling only. We shall have to wait and see what kind of temps and cooling solutions evolve around them. It shouldn't be too long before we start seeing reviews and the possibilities.

[Pigflipper]

damn, looks like I need to keep all my old 60mm hsf after all.

[ImaginAsian]

Not so fast guys. Take a look at the ASUS, Chaintech and EPOX boards. They have socket hole mounts. Its only the ABIT and MSI which don't!

[James]

Send the MB to me IA ,i'll make the Alpha work!!

No problem,you have my word on it!

[026TB4U]

The Abit looks like a micro-ATX board. I'm sure they'll include the holes on the full size version........I hope.

[026TB4U]

Damn, just looked at the pic again and it looks like a full size.......we'll see.