Abit Fatal1ty AN9 (Socket AM2) Motherboard

[MitchMan31]

Hi guys,

I'm a novice to computer building. I'm about to choose the parts for my new build and was looking for a good motherboard. I found the 'Abit Fatal1ty AN9 32X PCI-E SLI (Socket AM2) DDR2 Motherboard'.

Lots of people have said this is a gr8 motherboard with lots of overclocking potential and it offers excellent gaming, but then lots of people have also given bad reviews because of it's compatibility etc.

Could anybody please tell me what I should do and whether this motherboard really is any good ? If not please help me with making my choice of motherboard based on an AMD processor...

Thanks

 

[bruins004]

Hey dude.
Welcome to the fun, but expensive world of computer building.
That is a good board but is overpriced.
Just as an FYI, when you see the word Fatal1ty on a computer product, expect it to be overpriced (there usually is another non-Fatal1ty version that is much cheaper)

Also, right now the best bang for the buck (where you will get the most performance as well), are the Intel Core 2 Duos CPUs.
The only time AMD is better is if you are getting a processor that is under $100.

Take a look here, it should help you quite a bit ( http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=30822 )
If you need more help, please feel free to ask.

 

[MitchMan31]

Hi and Thanks for the reply.... I don't really want to go for dual core Intel because my budget is around $1200 for the system build.

I was looking to set the budget accordingly:

Motherboard - $200
CPU - $100
RAM - $200
Graphics - $200
HDrive - $100
Case - $100
PSU - $100
Panels - $100
CD/DVD Drives - $100

Thanks for the advice on that Mobo though. The other boards I was looking at were the ASUS ones. Thanks again

Mitch

 

[bruins004]

What are you going to be using this computer for.
Also, where are you located (US, Europe, etc.).
The reason I ask is bc you can get 2GB of RAM for under $100 these days and you can get a CD Drive and a DVD Drive for under $100.
Also, what are Panel? Is that a monitor?
If you are going for a gaming rig take a look at this:

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 - $117 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

Motherboard
Gigabyte DS3 - $99.99 + $6.13 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042

or

EVGA 680i - $150 AR + $6.41 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188019

RAM
2 x 1GB G Skill (Black Heatsreaders) DDR2- 800 $104 + $5 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231065

or

2 x 1GB Crucial Ballistix Tracers DDR2-800 $115 AR + $5 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148076

Please note that both of these memories are high end memory that OCs very well since they contain Micron D9 memory chips.
Read more about this in my guide I linked

GPU
EVGA 8800GTS 320mb - $260 + $6 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

Hard Drive
Western Digital 320GB - $89.99 + $6 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136003

For hard drives, look into your local stores bc you can prob. get a hard drive for a very similar price (but make sure it is SATA since they are faster).

Case
Antec 900 - $140 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

PSU
Corsair HX520W PSU - $120AR Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

LCD Monitor
Viewsonic - $240AR + $15 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116066

CD/DVD Drives
Lite On Combo Drive (CD/DVD Drive) -$24 + $6 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106058

Lite On DVD Burner - $28 + $6 shipping (does not come with cables and booklets)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106049

I use 2 drives on all my builds, but you can go with only 1 if you want. These are both very cheap for the brand.
Also, if you arent going SLI, than get the Gigabyte DS3 (a very good OCing board) which I would recommend. If you do than you can get a better proc. which will help everything out

 

[MitchMan31]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, you've been a good help so far. I'm located in the UK which is a pain because newegg.com do not ship there. So parts are a little more expensive over in the UK because of VAT. The system I'm thinking of building is going to be used for gaming and using multiple applications at once for work.

Here is the system I'm thinking of compiling:

• OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU - $120
• Jeantech Aqua Midi ATX Gaming case - $120
• Abit Fatal1ty AN9 32X PCI-E SLI (Socket AM2) DDR2 Motherboard - $240
• AMD X2 Dual Core AM2 Athlon 64 4200 2.2GHz 2x512 - $135
• XFX 7600GT Fatal1ty PCI-E 256MB DDR3 DUAL DVI - $180
• 320Gb Western Digital Caviar SATAII 16MB - $100
• Corsair PC6400 XMS2 2GB Kit - $140
• ABIT Guru Panel (GP-02) Controller Panel - $65
• Asus Silent Knight Socket AM2 CPU Cooler - $65
• Drives - $50

Total = Just Over $1200

 

[bruins004]

Not a bad build.
Just got a few things to pick about it.

First off the PSU.
Never heard of that line by OCZ, but I would not reccommend an OCZ anymore.
Their PSUs are not that great anymore and many of their GameXStreams have died rather quickly.
Look at brands like FSP, Seasonic and Corsair.
They are much better brands.

Second, what is that Controller Panel for?
If its for OCing than dont even bother getting it.
It aint worth it.
Seems like it isnt needed which would give you more money.

Never heard of that CPU Cooler.
I know it isnt one of the best.
If your looking for a good CPU cooler take a look at the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.
It is the best bang for the buck

Next the CPU.
How much can you get an C2D E4300, 4400, 6300 or 6320 for?
I am saying go Intel, esp. if you want this to last you for a little while.
We can save money on other areas, like the next area.

Now I come to the area where I have the biggest problem and it is that your buying a $240 board and the CPU is almost half of that.
That board is way too overpriced for your build.
Plus I wouldnt recommend SLI since it would be a waste, you only get a 30-40 percent increase when you SLI.
Go with a much cheaper board, I would say from $100-$150.
If you go Intel, look for the Gigabyte DS3, it will suite all your OCing needs.

This is another area that needs to be improved.
Since you will be gaming you def. need a better gaming card.
A 7600GT can handle many games, but it def. wont be able to handle any future games.
You def. need a better video card (either an 8600GT or an 8800GTS I would suggest).

If you go with the above route you should have about $150 more to spend on a GPU.
Let me know how much money the E4300 or E4400 are going for as well as an 8600GT and 8800GTS.

 

[MitchMan31]

Hi,

Thanks for the info on my planned build. I will change it about and re-configure it in the ways that you have suggested. The abit controller panel will be used for controlling my fans and overclocking. I'll re-post my new spec in a couple of hours..... Thanks for the help.. You've been great

 

[bruins004]

Hi,

Thanks for the info on my planned build. I will change it about and re-configure it in the ways that you have suggested. The abit controller panel will be used for controlling my fans and overclocking. I'll re-post my new spec in a couple of hours..... Thanks for the help.. You've been great)

Anytime man.
Ahh I see what you want the control panel for.
However, if you are $50-60 over and it means a better CPU than you should consider dropping it.
That is the least important part if you need to make budget and can get a better part.

EDIT: Looking forward to seeing the adjustments.
Also, I feel I should explain why I am saying Intel over AMD.
AMD is currently using a really old architecture, just based on the fact that it can compete with new architecture is really good.
Anyways, AMD AM2 can process8 instructions per clock cycle.
However, Intel C2D can process 12 instructions per clock cycle.

Also, both OC very well, however, when they are both OCed to max a C2D will def. blow away any AMD

 

[TSX420J]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, you've been a good help so far. I'm located in the UK which is a pain because newegg.com do not ship there. So parts are a little more expensive over in the UK because of VAT. The system I'm thinking of building is going to be used for gaming and using multiple applications at once for work.

Here is the system I'm thinking of compiling:

• OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU - $120
• Jeantech Aqua Midi ATX Gaming case - $120
• Abit Fatal1ty AN9 32X PCI-E SLI (Socket AM2) DDR2 Motherboard - $240
• AMD X2 Dual Core AM2 Athlon 64 4200 2.2GHz 2x512 - $135
• XFX 7600GT Fatal1ty PCI-E 256MB DDR3 DUAL DVI - $180
• 320Gb Western Digital Caviar SATAII 16MB - $100
• Corsair PC6400 XMS2 2GB Kit - $140
• ABIT Guru Panel (GP-02) Controller Panel - $65
• Asus Silent Knight Socket AM2 CPU Cooler - $65
• Drives - $50

Total = Just Over $1200

You ask for advice but keep on insisting on doing it your way.. Bruins knows what he is talking about. At least try to get the cpu, gpu, ram,psu and mobo he is talking about. Plus, you should wait for the end of july and you can get a better deal on the intel chips.

 

[TSX420J]

# XFX 7600GT Fatal1ty PCI-E 256MB DDR3 DUAL DVI - $180


You can get the xfx 7600 xxx for way less and it is OC'ed from factory.

I would get a 8800 gts better.

 

[MitchMan31]

TSX420J That first post of yours was pretty useless. Because if you'd read all of the above you would see that I was going to post a new spec of the pc I will be building with the majority of the parts bruins recommended. So please read it next time instead of criticizing me you lemon.....

Bruins I will post the new spec soon, thanks for the help again

 

[TSX420J]

TSX420J That first post of yours was pretty useless. Because if you'd read all of the above you would see that I was going to post a new spec of the pc I will be building with the majority of the parts bruins recommended. So please read it next time instead of criticizing me you lemon.....

Bruins I will post the new spec soon, thanks for the help again

Blah, Blah, Blah you kept on insisting on other things when he told you what is good. Anyway I did give you advice and possibly you can use my sour advice to save you money when you buy a processor because the C2D 6600 might be in your range and better than the amd you keep mentioning.. Just trying to knock some sense in your head buddy, wasnt it you who said "The abit controller panel will be used for controlling my fans and overclocking" after he already told you dont bother wasting your money if that is what you wanted it for..

If anything, do wait for the 6600 to go down in price in like 4-6 weeks. Also I wouldnt bother wasting 180 on a 7600gt even if it has ddr3. Get the xfx 7600gt xxx for 115.00 and OC'ed
and when Crysis comes out get a 8800gts. The 8800 is rumored to drop in price in december and Crysis probably wont come out till then or around then. If you have the willpower dont even get a GPU until the 8800 drops.

 

[mrmonk]

Hi this is my first

hello everyone

I'm from the uk also. The place i get some of my parts are from ebuyer.com and scan.co.uk.

Ebuyer got free delivery on anything if u spend £45. Just got these items for a little upgrade.


2900 XT 512MB £244.43

AMD x2 4200 am2 £64.59



http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/home/

http://www.scan.co.uk/

But the best place is actually http://www.johnpye.co.uk/tuesday.asp

This is an auction which is in nottingham. They have a contract with ebuyer to sell off ex stock.

Lat week i got

geforce 7950x2 for £50

x1950 pro25mb for £28

x1900xtx 512mb for £40

U have to make sure u test the stuff because they do have faulty items in the auction as well, but the majority are all working. Hope the info helps.


I have been reading techpowerup for the past few months now and i gotta say one thing. This place rocks hard.

The best aspect of this place are the technical members who actually go out there way and help people in need of info and knowledge without actually dumbing down the person unlike other computer hardware websites .

A big thanks to all technical members of techpowerup

Peace

Mr Monk

 

[TSX420J]

The best aspect of this place are the technical members who actually go out there way and help people in need of info and knowledge without actually dumbing down the person unlike other computer hardware websites .

A big thanks to all technical members of techpowerup

Im not trying to dumb him down. I just want him to not make the mistakes I did when I did
not take advice and ended up losing money and power. I could have got a better system if I
listened from the get go. Now I want to build a new system because I did not listen.

 

[mrmonk]

TSX420J

I think you have misunderstood. Sorry if i have confused you.I was referring to other computer hardware sites not you.

 

[TSX420J]

TSX420J

I think you have misunderstood. Sorry if i have confused you.I was referring to other computer hardware sites not you.

LOL, yup you did confuse me.. It doesnt matter because I didnt take it in a wrong way anyway..