ASUS A8N-E Opinions Please

[Peter van der Goes]

Looking to upgrade an Athlon XP PC to A64.
Considering the A8N-E, as I don't game and don't need two video cards.
I was about to buy the A8N-e with Venice 3200+ and 2 Gig PC3200 from NewEgg
when I started reading customer reviews on the motherboard:
Numerous reports of having to buy 24 pin PSU in excess of 500W.
Numerous reports of BIOS problems with Venice core CPU's
Quite a few reports of "bad boards" (could be user error, of course).

So, I'm looking here for opinions on the A8N-E, hopefully some based on
ownership.
TIA!

 

[Ken Maltby]

Looking to upgrade an Athlon XP PC to A64.
Considering the A8N-E, as I don't game and don't need two video cards.
I was about to buy the A8N-e with Venice 3200+ and 2 Gig PC3200 from
NewEgg when I started reading customer reviews on the motherboard:
Numerous reports of having to buy 24 pin PSU in excess of 500W.
Numerous reports of BIOS problems with Venice core CPU's
Quite a few reports of "bad boards" (could be user error, of course).

So, I'm looking here for opinions on the A8N-E, hopefully some based on
ownership.
TIA!

Well mine works ok, as far as I can tell. There is a lot that
depends on configuration and the uses you are putting it to.
So far I haven't run across any issues that I would attribute
to the MB, but that is with the way I'm using it. It could be
that it would fail if I were using it in a different way, perhaps
the way you want to use it.

I am still running the 32bit XP with SP2.

It has a matched pair of 1GB PC3200 400 DDR memory
running at 1T command and dual channel.

CPU = DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400MHz 4800+

ASUS A8N-E ACPI BIOS Revision 1009-001

Drive #1 - WDC WD740GD-32FLA0 (69 GB)
Drive #2 - WDC WD360GD-00FNA0 (34 GB)
both 10000 RPM SATA Raptors

NEC DVD_RW ND-2510A and a MITBISHI
LS-120 floppy drive on IDE as masters.

RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition (0x5D4D)
running current Omega drivers.

It's on a Gigabit switch with a BuffaloTech "TeraStation"
and "Link Theater" connecting to the Internet through a
Linksys router.

Adaptec AVC-2000 PCI MPEG Capture Device

USB printers; an Epson R200 and a Dymo LabelWriter 330

LPT1 has a Mustek 600 III EP Plus scanner

No serial ports in use, disabled in BIOS.

--------------

All the above functions as I would expect, while I use
this system for both single player gaming and video
processing (including DVD creation).

Luck;
Ken

 

[Peter van der Goes]

Well mine works ok, as far as I can tell. There is a lot that
depends on configuration and the uses you are putting it to.
So far I haven't run across any issues that I would attribute
to the MB, but that is with the way I'm using it. It could be
that it would fail if I were using it in a different way, perhaps
the way you want to use it.

I am still running the 32bit XP with SP2.

It has a matched pair of 1GB PC3200 400 DDR memory
running at 1T command and dual channel.

CPU = DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400MHz 4800+

ASUS A8N-E ACPI BIOS Revision 1009-001

Drive #1 - WDC WD740GD-32FLA0 (69 GB)
Drive #2 - WDC WD360GD-00FNA0 (34 GB)
both 10000 RPM SATA Raptors

NEC DVD_RW ND-2510A and a MITBISHI
LS-120 floppy drive on IDE as masters.

RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition (0x5D4D)
running current Omega drivers.

It's on a Gigabit switch with a BuffaloTech "TeraStation"
and "Link Theater" connecting to the Internet through a
Linksys router.

Adaptec AVC-2000 PCI MPEG Capture Device

USB printers; an Epson R200 and a Dymo LabelWriter 330

LPT1 has a Mustek 600 III EP Plus scanner

No serial ports in use, disabled in BIOS.

--------------

All the above functions as I would expect, while I use
this system for both single player gaming and video
processing (including DVD creation).

Luck;
Ken

Thanks, Ken.
Actually, you are probably doing more than I would, in terms of peripherals.
I'd be using it in a development/IT course homework evaluation role.
Two hard drives, two optical drives, Win XP32 SP2, Visual Studio, Java,
Office.
Were you able to boot with your dual core CPU with the BIOS that came with
the motherboard?

 

[Mark A]

Looking to upgrade an Athlon XP PC to A64.
Considering the A8N-E, as I don't game and don't need two video cards.
I was about to buy the A8N-e with Venice 3200+ and 2 Gig PC3200 from
NewEgg when I started reading customer reviews on the motherboard:
Numerous reports of having to buy 24 pin PSU in excess of 500W.
Numerous reports of BIOS problems with Venice core CPU's
Quite a few reports of "bad boards" (could be user error, of course).

So, I'm looking here for opinions on the A8N-E, hopefully some based on
ownership.
TIA!

I think it is a good board. I am running with high quality (and quiet) 380W
PSU. I would recommend that you use a 24 pin CPU, as is the case with other
24 pin mb's.

Here is my config that was built to be quiet:

Antec 3700-BQE w/Nexus 120mm rear and front case fans, both @12V
Seasonic S12-380
Asus A8N-E MB w/ ZM-NB47J chip cooler and 80mm L1A Panaflo blowing nearby
(replacing the stock HSF)
AMD64 3500+ .90 w/XP-120 & Nexus 120 @12V
1GB (2 x 512) Corsair 3200C2PT
2 x WD 160 GB SATA
Plextor PX-716A
Leadtek 6600GT w/Zalman VF700 AlCu @5V
Audigy2 ZS
AcoustiPack Std.

 

[Ken Maltby]

Thanks, Ken.
Actually, you are probably doing more than I would, in terms of
peripherals.
I'd be using it in a development/IT course homework evaluation role.
Two hard drives, two optical drives, Win XP32 SP2, Visual Studio, Java,
Office.
Were you able to boot with your dual core CPU with the BIOS that came with
the motherboard?

I originally got the board from Monarch Computers as a
preinstalled and tested MB & CPU combination, just to
avoid that problem. I think it needed to be at least 1005
to work right. I have since flashed the BIOS a couple
of times. It is at 1009 now and it is most likely you will
have a BIOS later than the 1005, if it's new.

I forgot to mention my PSU before, it's an Antec "True
550" 550W ATX12V with the 20pin connector.

I learned programming with pencil and paper, and it got
in my computer by setting three sets of three switches,
for each bit of data input. Eventually I got to have Holerith
card decks punched, with my code. (Nothing like "singing"
tape decks; around Christmas time.) I still find it easier to
work out a program on a legal pad, than on my computer.

I guess at some point you need to run your, what -XML,
Java, C#, Cocoon2, HTML? to see if you got it right, or
missed anything. But for IT issues, you shouldn't need
anything as powerful as an A8N-E, a 500MHz P3 system
should be more than enough.

Luck;
Ken

 

[PB]

I originally got the board from Monarch Computers as a
preinstalled and tested MB & CPU combination, just to
avoid that problem. I think it needed to be at least 1005
to work right. I have since flashed the BIOS a couple
of times. It is at 1009 now and it is most likely you will
have a BIOS later than the 1005, if it's new.

I forgot to mention my PSU before, it's an Antec "True
550" 550W ATX12V with the 20pin connector.

I learned programming with pencil and paper, and it got
in my computer by setting three sets of three switches,
for each bit of data input. Eventually I got to have Holerith
card decks punched, with my code. (Nothing like "singing"
tape decks; around Christmas time.) I still find it easier to
work out a program on a legal pad, than on my computer.

I guess at some point you need to run your, what -XML,
Java, C#, Cocoon2, HTML? to see if you got it right, or
missed anything. But for IT issues, you shouldn't need
anything as powerful as an A8N-E, a 500MHz P3 system
should be more than enough.

Luck;
Ken

Like the IMSAI 8080? Paddle switches? Oh for those heady days...

 

[Peter van der Goes]

I guess at some point you need to run your, what -XML,
Java, C#, Cocoon2, HTML? to see if you got it right, or
missed anything. But for IT issues, you shouldn't need
anything as powerful as an A8N-E, a 500MHz P3 system
should be more than enough.

Luck;
Ken

Ah, but the IDE's! For Java, the combination of NetBeans and the Java 5
development kit require a *minimum* of 512 meg of memory and run like an
arthritic snail in anything less than 1 gig of memory on a 2+ Ghz CPU.
Visual Studio is not quite as bad, but still requires serious horsepower.

 

[ed jurewicz]

I have been running this board since mid-summer and it has been very stable.
One thing that stands out and I have no specific reasons for such is that it
has been about the easiest board to work on that I have ever used. The
placement of components seems to make it a little easier to fit large bulky
hands in between small tightly packed components.I understand that there
have been some issues with noisy chipset fans but that those have been
resolved by installing an upgraded version that asus will supply to you to
you upon erquest. Like you a major factor in purchasing this card was the
lack of an overriding need for sli. One deficit, though, is the lack of
firewire. An alternate to look at might be msi. I built my first msi system
a few months ago and was impressed with the board and the documentation
provided.

 

[Ed]

Like the IMSAI 8080? Paddle switches? Oh for those heady days...

Or, how about the DEC PDP-8? Or, going way back, the Bendix G-15?

Ed

 

[Natéag]

A8N-E SLI Deluxe does have firewire.

I have been running this board since mid-summer and it has been very
stable. One thing that stands out and I have no specific reasons for such
is that it has been about the easiest board to work on that I have ever
used. The placement of components seems to make it a little easier to fit
large bulky hands in between small tightly packed components.I understand
that there have been some issues with noisy chipset fans but that those
have been resolved by installing an upgraded version that asus will supply
to you to you upon erquest. Like you a major factor in purchasing this
card was the lack of an overriding need for sli. One deficit, though, is
the lack of firewire. An alternate to look at might be msi. I built my
first msi system a few months ago and was impressed with the board and the
documentation provided.

 

[Mark A]

A8N-E SLI Deluxe does have firewire.

He is asking about the A8N-E. However, I believe that my A8N-E does has a
hardware firewall, although I am not using it.

 

[Mercury]

I installed VS2005 on my laptop - a Pentium M 1.8GHz system day before
yesterday.
It runs fine in 1GB RAM & uses a moderate amount of ram...

The beta's were hogs, but thats what you get with a beta.

I built an A8N-E last night. It went together with no issues whatsoever. The
CPU is a 3500+

(I gave up on the idea of getting an X2 as my intention was to run Virtual
Server and consolidate all the systems I have onto one - this requires gobs
of RAM and 4GB is not enough for 3 years into the future. I also wanted ECC
RAM & 2GB ECC RAM modules are still horribly expensive so I am going to wait
for a mobo that will support a minimum of 8GB RAM and prices to come down).

The board came with BIOS 1004...

I am really impressed with the whole setup. With cool n quiet the CPU runs
at 37c and the mobo is at 39c using the stock AMD heatsink. It is by my
measure *quiet*. The disc drives (seagate) and DVD Rom let it down on the
noise front. I was going to put a ninja scyhte in for cooling - no need IMO.
I was going to put a lot of extras in but as is I am impressed. (My shopping
list is $5000 - this cost $1000 or so with HDD, DVD etc etc etc and wipes
several hundred off the original list it goes so well).

The PSU I have is a loaner "Task" 500 or so watt job. I am waiting on an
Antect Phantom, but the Task PSU is *quiet*, cold to touch, and seems good
(seems is not an appropriate word is it?) - I may keep it. The Asus manual
suggests 400 watts+ if you do not use SLI and 500 watts plus if you do
(which the A8N-E can't) so 500 would be safe...

I installed XP Media Center Edition after an initial memtest86 run (30
minutes or so) just to see what XP MCE looked like - no issues. Then I
installed XP 64bit - no issues at all & it does seem really fast! I left it
running memtest86 overnight and today Prime95 all day - no issues at all &
the CPU remains "cold".

I'm a s/w dev too, so this machine will have (if I can get it out of the
lounge) SQL Server, VS6, VS2005, and a mountain of other dev tools. From my
experience so far I am very pleased - I did not expect it to be
significantly faster than my current P4 2.8, but it is, the XP64 install was
a piece of cake. It flies along. Next year I will no doubt get an X2 sysem
with 4GB ECC Ram as above, then this will be our lounge system - MCE,
Internet, Email, Photo printing etc.

There are always bad news stories - if everyone that built a system OK
posted, this news group would be full of happy people, Some people just
shouldn't go near computers anyway...

HTH

 

[PB]

Or, how about the DEC PDP-8? Or, going way back, the Bendix G-15?

Ed

Yes, the 12-bit word. How about the 1.6 MB disk pack that was as big as
a 16 inch pizza?

GenRad 1796 ATE?

Kaypro Z80 (aka Darth Vader's Lunch box)

 

[Ken Maltby]

He is asking about the A8N-E. However, I believe that my A8N-E does has a
hardware firewall, although I am not using it.

It is Firewire that the A8N-E lacks, but then you may as
well use a PCI slot for something. It's not like they cost
very much.

Luck;
Ken

 

[Gordy]

Looking to upgrade an Athlon XP PC to A64.
Considering the A8N-E, as I don't game and don't need two video cards.
I was about to buy the A8N-e with Venice 3200+ and 2 Gig PC3200 from NewEgg
when I started reading customer reviews on the motherboard:
Numerous reports of having to buy 24 pin PSU in excess of 500W.
Numerous reports of BIOS problems with Venice core CPU's
Quite a few reports of "bad boards" (could be user error, of course).

So, I'm looking here for opinions on the A8N-E, hopefully some based on
ownership.
TIA!

A8N-E system running here without problems for 2 months.
No problem putting system together or installing WinXP Pro and heaps
of applications.
A8N-E mother board. Good assortment of PCI-e and PCI sockets.
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice.
1 GB Dual channel ram Corsair.
Sparkle 256MB PCI-e video card.
PCI TV card.
160MB Sata-2 HDD Hitachi.
FDD.
Internal 13 way flash card reader.
16xDVD writer.
Lian-Li mid tower case with 3 fans.
500 watt Raidmax power supply.


My only gripe is the fan noise of the power supply.
Measured the power of the above system with a view to getting a quiet
power supply.
Power measured is 190 watts at mains input assuming a typical power
factor of 0.6. (230volts x 0.5 amps /0.6).
Was running Prime95 for this test.

Gordy

 

[Mark A]

It is Firewire that the A8N-E lacks, but then you may as
well use a PCI slot for something. It's not like they cost
very much.

Luck;
Ken

The Audigy2 ZS sound card I added provides a firewire port, but I have not
found a use for it yet.

 

[Peter van der Goes]

I installed VS2005 on my laptop - a Pentium M 1.8GHz system day before
yesterday.
It runs fine in 1GB RAM & uses a moderate amount of ram...

The beta's were hogs, but thats what you get with a beta.

I built an A8N-E last night. It went together with no issues whatsoever.
The CPU is a 3500+

(I gave up on the idea of getting an X2 as my intention was to run Virtual
Server and consolidate all the systems I have onto one - this requires
gobs of RAM and 4GB is not enough for 3 years into the future. I also
wanted ECC RAM & 2GB ECC RAM modules are still horribly expensive so I am
going to wait for a mobo that will support a minimum of 8GB RAM and prices
to come down).

The board came with BIOS 1004...

I am really impressed with the whole setup. With cool n quiet the CPU runs
at 37c and the mobo is at 39c using the stock AMD heatsink. It is by my
measure *quiet*. The disc drives (seagate) and DVD Rom let it down on the
noise front. I was going to put a ninja scyhte in for cooling - no need
IMO. I was going to put a lot of extras in but as is I am impressed. (My
shopping list is $5000 - this cost $1000 or so with HDD, DVD etc etc etc
and wipes several hundred off the original list it goes so well).

The PSU I have is a loaner "Task" 500 or so watt job. I am waiting on an
Antect Phantom, but the Task PSU is *quiet*, cold to touch, and seems good
(seems is not an appropriate word is it?) - I may keep it. The Asus manual
suggests 400 watts+ if you do not use SLI and 500 watts plus if you do
(which the A8N-E can't) so 500 would be safe...

I installed XP Media Center Edition after an initial memtest86 run (30
minutes or so) just to see what XP MCE looked like - no issues. Then I
installed XP 64bit - no issues at all & it does seem really fast! I left
it running memtest86 overnight and today Prime95 all day - no issues at
all & the CPU remains "cold".

I'm a s/w dev too, so this machine will have (if I can get it out of the
lounge) SQL Server, VS6, VS2005, and a mountain of other dev tools. From
my experience so far I am very pleased - I did not expect it to be
significantly faster than my current P4 2.8, but it is, the XP64 install
was a piece of cake. It flies along. Next year I will no doubt get an X2
sysem with 4GB ECC Ram as above, then this will be our lounge system -
MCE, Internet, Email, Photo printing etc.

There are always bad news stories - if everyone that built a system OK
posted, this news group would be full of happy people, Some people just
shouldn't go near computers anyway...

HTH

Thanks very much, Mercury, and to all those who responded. I figured I'd get
a more realistic view here. I going ahead with the order

 

[Mercury]

The board came with bios 1005... I don't know where I got 1004 from.

The bios seems 100% and with a smooth XP64 install already in place &
everything running as it should I won't be rushing to upgrade the bios.

 

[Wookie]

ASUS is known for crappy NB Fans .. this board is not an exception. I've
had tthis board for 5 monthes now and the NB fan started to whine after 3
monthes .. lot's of threads on the internet .. google it. Other than that
it's been really stable. Running with FX51 a SATA and IDE HD's

 

[Mark A]

ASUS is known for crappy NB Fans .. this board is not an exception. I've
had tthis board for 5 monthes now and the NB fan started to whine after 3
monthes .. lot's of threads on the internet .. google it. Other than that
it's been really stable. Running with FX51 a SATA and IDE HD's

Asus will replace it with an improved version if you call their support
line.