Features

Features comparison

To start off this shootout, we’ll start by comparing both boards on the basis of feature set. As we mentioned at the outset, both motherboards do very well here, offering features that aren’t present on many competing nForce2 boards, but there are some differences. Let’s start with the features that both motherboards have in common.

Socket A interface

ATX12V power for more juice

Obviously since both motherboards are based on NVIDIA’s nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset we’re dealing with the same features on the North Bridge, both boards also use the MCP-T South Bridge as well. This chip brings the aforementioned Dolby Digital audio to both motherboards, and dual network controllers, dubbed “DualNet” by NVIDIA. Again, this is an optional feature DFI and ASUS have chosen to implement on their high-end products, both companies offer less expensive MCP-T-based motherboards that forego this feature if you don’t need it. The MCP-T also adds FireWire support to the equation.

ASUS has AGP Pro

Slightly different connector layout

The physical layers ASUS and DFI utilize to power these features differ however. While both manufacturers have integrated Realtek’s popular ALC650 to handle audio duties, they go in opposite directions for FireWire and networking. Realtek’s RTL8801B PHY interfaces with the MCP-T to provide FireWire connectivity for the A7N8X-E. This is the same chip ASUS has used for its previous nForce2 motherboards, including the original A7N8X Deluxe that was released over a year ago. In contrast, Agere’s FW803 provides this functionality for the DFI board.

In terms of networking support, both boards take advantage of DualNet, in fact both go beyond NVIDIA’s reference specifications by adding Gigabit Ethernet networking to the package. Even NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line nForce3 Pro 150 chipset doesn’t provide GigE support so this is definitely an eye-catching feature, but keep in mind that both controllers are tied to the PCI bus’ 133MB/sec limitation, so you’ll never see the full potential of either board’s networking capabilities. As far as we know, NVIDIA has no plans to update the MCP-T South Bridge, so this is apparently as good as it gets for the nForce2 platform.

ASUS uses Marvell’s 88E8001 GigE controller for the A7N8X-E while DFI relies on Realtek’s RTL8110S. Besides GigE, both boards also sport S/PDIF out connections, making them NVIDIA Soundstorm compliant.

4 Serial ATA ports here

ASUS only has two

Another trait they both have in common is Serial ATA support. Like GigE, NVIDIA’s nForce2 chipset skipped this feature, so external Serial ATA controllers from Silicon Image are necessary to support this new storage technology. This is where the boards begin to differ however, as DFI one ups ASUS by integrating Silicon Image’s more robust Sil 3114 controller.

This controller supports up to four devices, DFI equips their LANPARTY board with all four ports present. In contrast, ASUS chose to stick with the same Sil 3112 controller used on their previous A7N8X boards. This is an older, first generation Serial ATA controller that is limited to just two ports. The Sil 3114 is also more feature-complete in the fact that it supports RAID Levels 0 (striping), 1 (mirroring), and 0+1 (striping and mirroring). The Sil 3112 only supports RAID Level 0 and RAID Level 1 (as it only supports two ports).

Because of this, we’d have to give the early features edge to DFI, but we’re not finishing discussing the board’s various features just yet.