Asus has an excellent board yet again in the A7N266-E. The powerful integrated video and top notch audio put it far ahead of boards based on integrated VIA and SiS chipsets. Stability is excellent as usual with Asus boards. If performance can be improved a bit it would be a plus. Also the issue with the 3rd DIMM issue a bit troubling.
From what the board has shown so far it will be interesting what market and what uses the board will have. With the integrated video, audio, and networking support of the board it could easily by used in lower to mid range cost systems that could be quite powerful. Add in a GeForce 3 Ti card and you have a powerhouse system. It will be interesting to see how many computer makers jump on the nForce bandwagon after Compaq and Micron.
Also with the integrated video and LAN this board would make a good low cost 1U server board. For the first time the benefits of DDR memory could be brought to the low cost 1U space.
The possibility uses of the A7N266-E are intriguing. Asus does indeed have a multipurpose board on their hands, but the real issue is how well it sells.
+ excellent stability
- needs performance tweaks
+ good overclocking features
- very high cost
+ the best integrated audio
- 3rd DIMM usage issue
+ excellent software bundle
+ the best integrated video
Score 94
Full Review
From what the board has shown so far it will be interesting what market and what uses the board will have. With the integrated video, audio, and networking support of the board it could easily by used in lower to mid range cost systems that could be quite powerful. Add in a GeForce 3 Ti card and you have a powerhouse system. It will be interesting to see how many computer makers jump on the nForce bandwagon after Compaq and Micron.
Also with the integrated video and LAN this board would make a good low cost 1U server board. For the first time the benefits of DDR memory could be brought to the low cost 1U space.
The possibility uses of the A7N266-E are intriguing. Asus does indeed have a multipurpose board on their hands, but the real issue is how well it sells.
+ excellent stability
- needs performance tweaks
+ good overclocking features
- very high cost
+ the best integrated audio
- 3rd DIMM usage issue
+ excellent software bundle
+ the best integrated video
Score 94
Full Review
a few bugs with it and it could be a contender in the best socket A board battle.