Motherboards are the building block of every computer. All of your cards, hard drives, accessories, memory, and everything else in your computer are all dependent on your motherboard. If you’re building (or buying) your own computer, this is definitely not the place to make a mistake in choosing the right part. And if you’re system is going to be an AMD system with a 32-bit processor, the flagship of all the motherboard choices is the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe nForce2 motherboard.

Now, I know what you’re saying – “64-Bit computers are supposed to be right around the corner, why are you reviewing a 32-bit motherboard?” Well, 64-bit computers aren’t cheap. In fact, AMD’s FX-53 processor (the fastest chip in AMD’s lineup) can run you right around $1,000 just for the CPU. I’ll give you a second to get your mouth off the floor. So, 64-bit computing might not be the right choice for you, yet. So, enter the lineup of AMD’s Athlon XP series with the most expensive (and fastest) processor (the AMD Athlon XP 3200+) ringing the bell at under $250. You can’t beat that bargain. Also, I have an ulterior motive for writing this review; this is my motherboard and I just *love* the thing.

As far as motherboard manufacturers go, Computer Mechanix absolutely adores ASUS. The boards are extremely fast, extremely reliable, extremely compatible, and extremely affordable. Could you ask for anything more?

In addition, the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe comes with everything you could want on a motherboard. Heck, it comes with MORE than you could want on a motherboard. Support for processors with Front Side Bus running between 200 and 400? Check. DDR DIMM support for your memory? Check. 8X AGP? Check. A large offering a USB 2.0 ports? Yup. Onboard 6.1-channel audio? Sure thing. Serial-ATA with RAID support for hard drives? Got it. Gigabit Ethernet? It’s in there. Not one but two Ethernet controllers? WHAT THE…?! Yeah, it’s got it.

In addition to it’s sumptuous offering of features, the A7N8X-E is backed by Nvidia’s nForce2 system running the Northbridge and Southbridge. Okay, now at that point I may have lost you. The Northbridge and Southbridge aren’t places on a map or somewhere in Asheville that you haven’t heard of, they’re nicknames given to the controller chips that operate your hard drives, memory, and all of the interlinking devices that your CPU has to come in contact with. And Nvidia has proven that they know how to make a whole lot more than just video cards as they’ve delved into the motherboard market for a couple of years now.

The A7N8X-E Deluxe also ships with everything you need from a retail-boxed motherboard: two (2) Serial ATA connector cables, two (2) standard IDE-controller cables, two (2) extra USB 2.0 ports (bringing the total to six (6) on-board USB 2.0 ports), SPDIF in for the audio card controller, the WinDVD Suite for DVD Playback, and both a full User’s Manual and Quick Setup Guide.

The A7N8X-E Deluxe is a brilliant board for computer systems of all calibers, bringing great benchmark ratings for all kinds of applications, operating systems, and, more importantly, video games. In addition, it’s as reliable as a Toyota Corolla but a whole lot more attractive. To round it all off, it’s an affordable board. If you’re looking for a new AMD 32-bit computer and can’t decide on a motherboard, you need not look any further. Computer Mechanix can install this board into your system and get you well on your way to any computer processing or gaming you need to do.

Manufacturer's Link: ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe Motherboard

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