Test Setup
The NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 chipset fully supports all AMD Athlon 64 processors in both stock and overclocked conditions.
We tested our 7900GTX video cards using NVIDIA 84.21 WHQL drivers and ATI X1900XT cards with Catalyst 6.3 to provide the latest video performance results. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32 unless SLI is enabled. Resolution in SLI and comparative X1900XT CrossFire benchmarks is 1600x1200x32 with 4XAA and 8xAF where applicable. 3DMark03/05 benchmarks use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution while 3DMark06 uses the "Standard Score" setting of 1280x1024.
The NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 chipset fully supports all AMD Athlon 64 processors in both stock and overclocked conditions.
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor | AMD Athlon 64 4000+ utilized for all tests. |
| RAM | 2 x 512mb OCZ Technology PC4800 Platinum Edition Settings: DDR-400 at (CL2-2-2-5, 1T) |
| Hard Drive(s) | 2 x Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM SATA (16MB Buffer) 1 x Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300R0 300GB 7200 RPM IDE (16MB Buffer). |
| System Platform Drivers | NVIDIA Platform - 6.85 |
| Video Cards | 1 x EVGA 7900GTX (PCI Express) for all non-SLI tests. 2 x EVGA 7900 GTX (PCI Express) for all SLI tests. |
| Video Drivers | NVIDIA nForce 84.21 WHQL |
| Cooling | Zalman CNPS9500 |
| Power Supply | Fortron Source FX700-GLN |
| Operating System(s) | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| Motherboards | ASRock 939SLI32-eSATA2 (ULi M1695/1697) Abit AT-8 (ATI RD480/ULi1575) Asus A8N-SLI Premium (NVIDIA nForce4 SLI) Asus A8N32-SLI (NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16) Asus A8R-MVP (ATI RD480/ULi1575) Asus A8R32-MVP (ATI RD480/ULi1575) ECS KA1 MVP (ATI RD480/SB450) EPoX EP-9U1697-GLI (ULi M1697) MSI K8N Diamond Plus (NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16) |
We tested our 7900GTX video cards using NVIDIA 84.21 WHQL drivers and ATI X1900XT cards with Catalyst 6.3 to provide the latest video performance results. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32 unless SLI is enabled. Resolution in SLI and comparative X1900XT CrossFire benchmarks is 1600x1200x32 with 4XAA and 8xAF where applicable. 3DMark03/05 benchmarks use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution while 3DMark06 uses the "Standard Score" setting of 1280x1024.
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OvErHeAtInG - Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - link
Let me be the devil's advocate here. I know AT reviews (and others) usually regard same-colored RAM slots to be "correct" for dual-channel operation, but for me it's always made more sense when it's like this MSI board--one color for each channel. Of course, it wouldn't be confusing if manufacturers just chose one standard color scheme and left it at that.Gary Key - Thursday, April 20, 2006 - link
We completely agree about having a standard color scheme. The majority of boards have different colors for dual channel operation so our comments are based this fact. A previous MSI board we tested followed this pattern and then they change it on this board. It is too confusing in my opinion when a single supplier cannot agree on a color scheme between board releases. This is certainly not an MSI only issue either. :)
Wesleyrpg - Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - link
Hmmm, is this common knowledge? One of my friends suffers from this so badly that we had to set up his cable modem for use the the USB port (yuck). Is there a workaround/beta drivers? I'm sure NVIDIA wouldnt want this leaked if it was true? Why havent they done anything about it? The current AMD driver 6.70 is about 6 months old now and still corrupts data. Damn them!!!!
Gary Key - Thursday, April 20, 2006 - link
Yes, this is fairly common knowledge and we have actually referred readers to NVIDIA for assistance. I do have a new set of drivers for the Business Platform system and will be testing them next week.
Wesleyrpg - Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - link
hmmm, seems NVIDIA have more than just an issue with their ActiveArmor, from what i have been reading theres also huge problems with the IDE/SATA file tranfers as well. Wish i'd know about these issues earlier, up until today i been recommending the NFORCE4, but with all these issues its hard to recommend them at all. Why hasnt any articles been written up on the MAJOR issues with the Nforce4 chipset?Per Hansson - Sunday, April 16, 2006 - link
Just replying to your message to me in the other mobo review "Please email me - I have the photographs. We are doing some revisions on the engine and could not get these in but I did take the photographs for you."I'm not the one that needs the pictures, I can identify the caps anyway... I was just thinking that it would be a nice addition to your articles, incase there where other readers that where interested in this too...
This board looks really nice though, United Chemicon KZG everywhere it seems, except for the Sanyo Polymers at the VRM and plenty more than what should "really" be necessary for a budget board like this... (okay, there looks to be one or four odd caps in the PCI section but they do oftenly not see very much ripple current so it should be ok)
tekkstore - Monday, April 17, 2006 - link
http://www.tekkstore.com">tekkstore.comAnnonymousCoward - Friday, April 14, 2006 - link
Macs still don't have a right mouse button? When will they put their stubbornness behind?goinginstyle - Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - link
I think you guys need to check your facts on the southbridge. According to the HardOCP article the board has the ULi 1575 southbridge. Are you sure the board has the nforce4 sli on the southbridge as that chipset is usually on the northbridge .Gary Key - Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - link
We will not comment in an open forum about another website's information that might or might not have been posted. However, I can ensure you this board utilizes the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI for the Southbridge (MCP) and the C51D for the Northbridge (SPP) as explained on the front page. If you still question our statements, then please visit MSI's website where the chipset information is available for this board - http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/m...">MSI K8N DiamondThanks!