Hi,

I am gonna build a new PC and need to know which mobo to buy for an Athlon CPU:

Is it true that that NForce4 mobo's like Asus A8N are a BAD choice for audio?! What are your experiences and why all the negative things I read about this mobo regarding audio?! Are the problems only with "UAD" (what's that by the way) or also with other things??

Could anybody please explain WHY NForce 4 mobos are no good choice for audio or are they just fine?! Perhaps list the known (audio) problems with NForce 4 so I have a better idea.

PS: is it true that VIA boards like A8V don't support PCI-Express.

Thanks for all good, correct advice!! Much appreciated!!

I've also read some articles that don't recommend these boards but I'm running the A8N (nforce 4 chipset) with two UAD 1 cards and a Powercore with no issue. I think there were some issues early on with the nforce chipset and PCI Express boards but it would appear some of these problems have been fixed with newer versions. I am however running a firewire audio interface which might be why i'm not experiencing as much difficulty. Uaudio actually states that on their website:

AMD Dual-Core CPU (X2/Opteron) with NVIDIA nForce4 / nForce3 based chipset

Symptom: Choppy Audio, CPU spiking.

* Systems may work fine with PCIe audio device
(or FireWire device connected to PCIe>FireWire adapter)
* Use Asus A8V series as a possible alternative. (Via K8T800/K8T890 chipset)

Good luck mate, it's a tough choice these days.

Lowell

I've never heard anything about this and I'm running the deluxe version for over a year with a MOTU 828.

I'm using the nForce 4 with a TerraTec 6fire .
No problems with production here.

Upgrading to a M-Audio Firewire 1814 soon and gonna do some multitrack recording then.
Wondering if that'll work, we'll see...

U might wanna read this from a reliable source:

http://www.rme-audio.com/english/techinfo/PCIe_02.htm

Bottom of page Nvidia Chipset.......


A8V uses AGP+PCI ports and to such u cant connect pci-express

I'm shopping for parts to build a new PC. I was planning to buy a Nforce4 socket 939 motherboard, guess I better think again. I'm not even sure I fully understand the problem, but I guess simply put there is a problem with PCI soundcards. That correct? I suppose the VIA chipsets have no sound issues? Think I'll start looking at the VIA chipset boards. Oh yeah, I shouldn't forget about ATI chipsets either, which might be the better choice.

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Last edited by zodiac9 on May-20-2006 at 02:48

quote:

Originally posted by zodiac9 guess I better think again. I'm not even sure I fully understand the problem

It should't be a common problem, I've seen too many DAWs with NF4 and they all seemed fine.

Here is a more extensive thread on the subject:

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/s...o=&fpart=1&vc=1

quote:

Originally posted by vccv Here is a more extensive thread on the subject: http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/s...o=&fpart=1&vc=1

No one on that thread, that I could see, is using a single core CPU in their Nforce 4 board, so of course they are not having any problems. The problem is said to be only with single core CPU's in combo with the Nforce 4. Using the dual cores lessens or eliminates the problem.

It's starting to sound like one of those things that only ultra leet computer nerds would bitch about. The types that fret over a 2 FPS difference. Decreased audio latency, alright, but I wonder by how much, and if it's even that noticeable. I'll be playing games on the new machine, in addition to production, so I really want the Nforce 4 for that reason. It sounds to me like no one is returning their Nforce 4 boards over this, so I'll probably go ahead and get one.

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Hi,

But does that mean if you buy a single core Athlon64 you will get problems with the NForce 4?! Why does the amount of cores make any difference if the problem seems to be with the NForce4? I don't get it..

Anybody here who has a single core Athlon64 with NForce 4 mobo like Asus A8N and can tell if it works and which problems can arise?! THAT'S what I would like to know!

Thanks!

DOH.

I'm in the process of transfering all my stuff to my new rig - a Shuttle SN21G5 which is based on an nforce 4 socket 939 motherboard.

And I have a single core Athlon 64 because I cant afford a dual core solution right now...

*And* my audio interface is a Delta 1010 PCI.

Phuck. Time to get some reading done. Thanks for the heads up guys.

quote:

Originally posted by Dance123 Anybody here who has a single core Athlon64 with NForce 4 mobo like Asus A8N and can tell if it works and which problems can arise?! THAT'S what I would like to know! Thanks!

If you read I have already confirmed this, I’m actually quiet surprised to hear that the A64 has problems with audio, knowing that it has been the DAW's standard CPU before the X2 came out.