DH Review: Asus SK8V Motherboard

Zardon · Jan 4, 2004, 01:08 PM

Stuart has spent some time with the Asus SK8V mobo and the review is available for your pleasure here

The SK8V supports Opteron and Athlon64-FX processors in their socket 940 model. SATA (inc RAID) connectors, 2 standard IDE, 1 additional IDE RAID, AGP8x, 5PCI, the list goes on. The only addition we would have liked is a second RJ45 connector, not necessarily a 2nd GB Lan. If your not a fan of ad-in brackets the board is still jam packed with features. Through the onboard connectors you get PS/2, 1 Parallel, 1 serial, 4 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire , 1 S/PDIF , GB Lan and the usual audio connectors. The RAID functions are handled by 2 controllers. The Via 8237 and the Promise 20378.

How did the board hold up under intense testing? Read our review and find out if this motherboard is worth the purchase.

Mac Daddy · Jan 4, 2004, 07:09 PM

Another finely detailed and presented review guys !! Excellent

I noted the Benchmarking suggestion of running the benchy 3 times and taking the middle score.
This is something I have used as rule of thumb since my days in Electronics Labs in college.
Whether it be Anolog or Digital circuitry or even control processes in Instrumentation.
Good Policy !!!

While still on the subject of benchmark programs Aquamark3 has become one of my most trusted and useful tools. I have noted the exclusion of 3Dmark1SE in reviews(Thank you very much !!!!!!)

The difference in UT2003 flyby scores was astounding

Overall its a very nice looking mobo and seems very stable and performs well. Video encoding is a very strong test of system stablity and the board seemed to measure up to its expectations.

I'm still not sure what my next upgrade will entail(money will be the key issue).
I would love to pick up a new mobo and return to AMD CPU's but my current mobo will also allow support of up to a 3G Celeron and 2G of ram. Tough call moneywise but it would be so nice to take advantage of the new mobo features and additions

~~craig588~~ · Jan 4, 2004, 07:21 PM

I like this review better with a few exceptions.

for a server board you should be doing server tests. Not just regular gaming PC tests. Bapco (I think thats their name) has a product called sysmark that tests tons of different real world application scripts, including huge databases , very complex photoshop scripts, and other applications. It might not be a bad toy to add to your benchmarking line up.

maybe you could add a timed linux kernal compile too.

It is foolhardy to overclock a server system thats why this review is better without overclocking.

Zardon · Jan 4, 2004, 07:21 PM

Stu has been raving about the board now for many weeks, the VIA boards seem better than the nvidia nforce3s.........

Zardon · Jan 4, 2004, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by craig588
I like this review better with a few exceptions.

for a server board you should be doing server tests. Not just regular gaming PC tests. Bapco (I think thats their name) has a product called sysmark that tests tons of different real world application scripts, including huge databases , very complex photoshop scripts, and other applications. It might not be a bad toy to add to your benchmarking line up.

maybe you could add a timed linux kernal compile too.

It is foolhardy to overclock a server system thats why this review is better without overclocking.

sysmark costs a small fortune and we havent been able as yet to procure a copy for our benching tests, might change in the future. I also feel the video encoding tests we did are a great server test, as its constantly under full load solidly for hours at a time even more than a server could possibly be on a heavy network in everyday company usage. Stability is a key issue and this motherboard as stated excelled.
Also note even though its an opteron, alot of people will be using this for gaming in the real world, so we also covered that field.

Mac Daddy · Jan 4, 2004, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
Stu has been raving about the board now for many weeks, the VIA boards seem better than the nvidia nforce3s.........

Excellent, I have found from prior experience that anything Stu raves about is worth checking out

Before I "acquired" my Radeon 9800 I asked him about suggestions on a card that would give me the best performance for my budget. He suggested 9600pro as you did !!

His responses (was before the review SHHHHHHHHH .. don't tell anybody

)
"I got some overclocking done on the sapphire card by the way... it reached 315/350 (from 400/300) and easily broke the 4k mark in 03."
"so if your going to get a 9600 go for the sapphire "fireblade" edition."

Good Advise !!

toddsmack2k · Jan 4, 2004, 09:36 PM

Veridian you need to take a break, lol! As usual a great review.

IMO the Via chipset is better than the Nforce3. Maybe in the future the Nforce will get better.

I just want to point out also that some of you have no idea what goes into doing a product review. The testing and the time put in trying to do something a little different than every other review out there. We review what is sent to us and with what applications we think would be relevant to our members here.

It does sound all fun and games but it is alot of hard work. We do welcome any and all criticism but make sure it is founded on some actual principle. We always strive to improve and you guys comments help us in doing that.

WildChild · Jan 4, 2004, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
Stu has been raving about the board now for many weeks, the VIA boards seem better than the nvidia nforce3s.........

Depending on what you want outta the board.As with any board each have their pro's and con's.

Zardon · Jan 4, 2004, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WildChild
Depending on what you want outta the board.As with any board each have their pro's and con's.

I know you have used both extensively bud, can you detail your views on them both? cheers.

WildChild · Jan 4, 2004, 09:46 PM

Who me?..lol

Mac Daddy · Jan 4, 2004, 09:47 PM

Yes you .. Looking forward to your feedback and conclusions brotha

WildChild · Jan 4, 2004, 09:57 PM

Ok well from my testing ....both boards are good but ...the via is more stable in my opinion,based on what I wanted from the boards the nvidia does not like ATI cards,(DVI Issues, gaming issues,thanks to many hours with todd figuring this out)the driver support for the nvidia boards really have gone down the drain.Overclockability of the nforce compared to the via is limited.Memory compatibility with the nforce boards seems to be an issue as well as PSU issues,none of these negative things did I encounter with the via board.I hooked it up and was off and running. If I had to choose between the 2 boards, for my personal usage,I would go with the via. But again,they are both fast boards,via just did their homework alil more this time around.

Mac Daddy · Jan 5, 2004, 01:30 AM

Now thats what I wanted too hear

WildChild · Jan 5, 2004, 01:57 AM

Just the rantings of a lunatic...lmaooo

Mac Daddy · Jan 8, 2004, 04:44 AM

Hmmmmmm .. Perhaps not ..

Jan 4, 2004, 01:08 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	DH Review: Asus SK8V Motherboard Stuart has spent some time with the Asus SK8V mobo and the review is available for your pleasure here The SK8V supports Opteron and Athlon64-FX processors in their socket 940 model. SATA (inc RAID) connectors, 2 standard IDE, 1 additional IDE RAID, AGP8x, 5PCI, the list goes on. The only addition we would have liked is a second RJ45 connector, not necessarily a 2nd GB Lan. If your not a fan of ad-in brackets the board is still jam packed with features. Through the onboard connectors you get PS/2, 1 Parallel, 1 serial, 4 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire , 1 S/PDIF , GB Lan and the usual audio connectors. The RAID functions are handled by 2 controllers. The Via 8237 and the Promise 20378. How did the board hold up under intense testing? Read our review and find out if this motherboard is worth the purchase.

Jan 4, 2004, 07:09 PM	#2
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Another finely detailed and presented review guys !! Excellent I noted the Benchmarking suggestion of running the benchy 3 times and taking the middle score. This is something I have used as rule of thumb since my days in Electronics Labs in college. Whether it be Anolog or Digital circuitry or even control processes in Instrumentation. Good Policy !!! While still on the subject of benchmark programs Aquamark3 has become one of my most trusted and useful tools. I have noted the exclusion of 3Dmark1SE in reviews(Thank you very much !!!!!!) The difference in UT2003 flyby scores was astounding Overall its a very nice looking mobo and seems very stable and performs well. Video encoding is a very strong test of system stablity and the board seemed to measure up to its expectations. I'm still not sure what my next upgrade will entail(money will be the key issue). I would love to pick up a new mobo and return to AMD CPU's but my current mobo will also allow support of up to a 3G Celeron and 2G of ram. Tough call moneywise but it would be so nice to take advantage of the new mobo features and additions __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jan 4, 2004, 09:36 PM	#7
toddsmack2k It Never..... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,173 Rep Power: 0	Veridian you need to take a break, lol! As usual a great review. IMO the Via chipset is better than the Nforce3. Maybe in the future the Nforce will get better. I just want to point out also that some of you have no idea what goes into doing a product review. The testing and the time put in trying to do something a little different than every other review out there. We review what is sent to us and with what applications we think would be relevant to our members here. It does sound all fun and games but it is alot of hard work. We do welcome any and all criticism but make sure it is founded on some actual principle. We always strive to improve and you guys comments help us in doing that. __________________ [color=blue]*Bleeding From the Inside Pouring Out, The* *DriverHeaven* Spiral, We Shall Never Let Go Of.[/color]

Jan 4, 2004, 09:46 PM	#10
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Who me?..lol __________________ Knowledge is SCARY,Stupidity is REALLY frightening

Jan 4, 2004, 09:47 PM	#11
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Yes you .. Looking forward to your feedback and conclusions brotha __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jan 4, 2004, 07:21 PM	#3
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	I like this review better with a few exceptions. for a server board you should be doing server tests. Not just regular gaming PC tests. Bapco (I think thats their name) has a product called sysmark that tests tons of different real world application scripts, including huge databases , very complex photoshop scripts, and other applications. It might not be a bad toy to add to your benchmarking line up. maybe you could add a timed linux kernal compile too. It is foolhardy to overclock a server system thats why this review is better without overclocking.

Jan 4, 2004, 07:21 PM	Thread Starter #4
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Stu has been raving about the board now for many weeks, the VIA boards seem better than the nvidia nforce3s.........

Jan 4, 2004, 09:57 PM	#12
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Ok well from my testing ....both boards are good but ...the via is more stable in my opinion,based on what I wanted from the boards the nvidia does not like ATI cards,(DVI Issues, gaming issues,thanks to many hours with todd figuring this out)the driver support for the nvidia boards really have gone down the drain.Overclockability of the nforce compared to the via is limited.Memory compatibility with the nforce boards seems to be an issue as well as PSU issues,none of these negative things did I encounter with the via board.I hooked it up and was off and running. If I had to choose between the 2 boards, for my personal usage,I would go with the via. But again,they are both fast boards,via just did their homework alil more this time around. __________________ Knowledge is SCARY,Stupidity is REALLY frightening

Jan 5, 2004, 01:30 AM	#13
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Now thats what I wanted too hear __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jan 5, 2004, 01:57 AM	#14
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Just the rantings of a lunatic...lmaooo __________________ Knowledge is SCARY,Stupidity is REALLY frightening

Jan 8, 2004, 04:44 AM	#15
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Hmmmmmm .. Perhaps not .. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen