Nine-Way AMD DDR Motherboards Shootout!:

[I.R]

Cool....... but I thought the EPoX 8DRA+ used the internal Diode :confused:

[Antallica]

For those of you who don't know what the hell he's talking about.....

http://www.overclockers.co.nz/ocnz/mobo/amd/nforce2/nf2ktroundup/1.shtml

[Hans]

Na, the 8DRA and 8DRA+ report CPU temp via external probe.

The internal temp sensor is used to shut down the PC if HSF is not installed correctly. Currently, there are no known ways to report CPU temp via the internal diode.

[Joshsti_NZ]

Ohh that EpoX looks/is sexy, it will be mine!

[Elle T]

The Abit NF7-S v1.2 is Alpha 8045 safe - i know i'm running one :)
Not to mention the latest BIOS adds & fixes alot.

I'd consider updating it Hans with the latest revision :)

[Wibber]

Wibber sold me his Soul for an old button, 50 cents & a half eaten peanut
when? I dont remeber that, I think its more likely 'she-who-shall-remain-nameless' sold it for me :p without consent

[Hans]

We've got NF7-S V1.2 on the way. :)

At the time when the round up is done, there is no NF7-S V1.2. :)

[Ragnor]

Great roundup.. :D

It seems to have escaped the grammar and spelling checker though :rolleyes:

[MoNk]

Good roundup.

In my mind the Soltek stole the show :cool:

[Antimatter]

Originally posted by MoNk
Good roundup.

In my mind the Soltek stole the show :cool:

I'm not to fussed on 2 phase power myself and the quality control from Soltek hasn't been as good recently.
The EPoX looks good though.

[_N_]

>>I'm not to fussed on 2 phase power myself

In general when you got "2 phase power" they just use two big grunty chips to handle the power,
with like "3 phase power" they just chuck in cheaper and smaller ones, so at the end of the day, you get the same result. :)

[Deviant]

Originally posted by _N_
>>I'm not to fussed on 2 phase power myself

In general when you got "2 phase power" they just use two big grunty chips to handle the power,
with like "3 phase power" they just chuck in cheaper and smaller ones, so at the end of the day, you get the same result. :)

I agree with you N, 3 phase with little filtering is worse than 2 phase with good filtering. It's all up to the manufacturer, and ASUS aren't going to have any poor quality stuff. ASUS always have 2 phase from my knowledge.

So sometime 2 phase can be good, sometimes 3 phase. Rely on the reputation of the mobo manufacturer and you will probably get best results.

[Antimatter]

The problem I have with 2 phase is more in the implementation than actual design. Fair enough if it's not running hot and has heatsinks capable of dealing with the excess heat...I'd prefer to use a 3 phase implementation though. I definately prefer the design of the SL-75DRV5 over that of the SL-75FRN. The heat output from the regulators is considerably less on the DRV5. Asus usually have inventive ways of dealing with the heat, like using a comparatively large area of PCB as a heatsink which also allows for better airflow. Soltek used heatsinks with the 75KAV, while at the same time Abit started using 3 phase without heatsinks. MSI went to the unusual lengths of making boards with 2 phase power, without heatsinks, and fitted heatsinks later.
The issue of heat may not be as great these days with the old capacitor issues worked out but rapid heat increases at startup can cause fractures in components over time...especially in cold environments.