Asus Commando - any good?

[Deleted member 30535]

In my search for a mobo with more than 3 PCI slots, I came across this board:
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=307&model=1480&modelmenu=1

Does anyone have any insight into whether it's a good board or not?

Thanks.

 

[tinners]

It's a 965 based board which is now one behind the current architecture of P35 but it's a good board (see reviews below). I had a quick look around and couldnt actually find any other 4 slot boards - what do you need that many for ?
It supports Quad core from BIOS 1202 ands the new 1333FSB chips from BIOS 1404 also.
It only supports memory up to DDR800 though.

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=7763&page=11

HEXUS.awards:
The ASUS COMMANDO is awarded the HEXUS Extreme Speed gong for offering an excellent layout, BIOS and overclocking potential

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/03/06/asus_commando/1

All in all the Commando is a well-priced and solid motherboard with fantastic overclocking potential. Even if it doesn't provide everything you'd ever wish for from overclocking, the board's fantastic stability will more than make up for it. It's feature rich and, while it's a Republic of Gamers motherboard, it negates some of the novel extras in order to make the price more attractive.
If you're looking for a solid and very overclockable board, but don't require multi-GPU support, you can't go far wrong with the Asus Commando. Whether or not it's the best P965 board out there for your own needs will come down to personal preference, though.
Features: 8
Performance: 9
Value: 8
Overall: 8

 

[Deleted member 30535]

Current cards that I'd like to install

1 x IDE RAID for a couple or large disks I have in raid 0
1 x Hauppauge DVB-T
1 x Modem (prefer internal to usb, but could get away with USB if needed)
1 x SCSI (runs a rather nice fast flatbed scanner which has no USB connection)
(Looks like the Commando uses the PCi-e x1 for the soundcard?)
Future : 1 x another Hauppauge DVB-T card.

So 5 PCI slots would be cool! (But realise this board is 4 x PCI and 1 x PCI-e, so either it's a USB modem or a USB DVB-T card.)

 

[Deleted member 30535]

Being a total newb in this, what advantages does the latest chipset give over the 965? Is it a higher memory speed (FSB?)? Not sure how it all hangs together!

 

[Grimley]

It will take the Next generation of Intel CPU's dubbed 'Penryn' basically this generation of CPU the transistor size is smaller (45mn as opposed to 65nm) so it should run cooler, use less power, a bit quicker & be cheaper to manufacture (as intel can get more CPU's onto each wafer) than CPU's available now

Due out at xmas or just after - depending on where you read & what hype you believe in

 

[GLP1]

Being a total newb in this, what advantages does the latest chipset give over the 965? Is it a higher memory speed (FSB?)? Not sure how it all hangs together!

This mobo is better than my P5B deluxe WiFi AP, I have in my Workstation

Bear in mind that the commando is no ordinary 965 mobo. Its also a hardcore overclocker.
It supports upto 1066Mhz Memory speed without the need to overclock the FSB
It has a BIOS that allows additional voltage headroom to be applied to Vcore, North & Southbridges, Memory and the DDR2 controller way beyond mortal 965 mobo's.

A word of Caution though, bear in mind that many modern graphics cards are so wide that they occlude the next card slot. In the Commando's case this would be one of your precious PCI slots.

Good luck with your build

Gavin

 

[Deleted member 30535]

It will take the Next generation of Intel CPU's dubbed 'Penryn' basically this generation of CPU the transistor size is smaller (45mn as opposed to 65nm) so it should run cooler, use less power, a bit quicker & be cheaper to manufacture (as intel can get more CPU's onto each wafer) than CPU's available now

Due out at xmas or just after - depending on where you read & what hype you believe in

When you say "it" do you mean the 965 or the P35 based mobo that tinners mentioned?

I only ask because the Commando will support 45nm processors, so I was a bit confused by the "it" bit! So what else can the P35 do which is better than the 965 boards?

 

[booyaka]

When you say "it" do you mean the 965 or the P35 based mobo that tinners mentioned?

I only ask because the Commando will support 45nm processors, so I was a bit confused by the "it" bit! So what else can the P35 do which is better than the 965 boards?

The P35 chipset will potentially support the new Penryn cpu's, the majority of existing P965 chipsets will not.

Like anything else the P35 is just the next level/gen of motherboard architecture. For general use a user will notice no difference at all. Only the hardcore overclockers/users/epenis waving brigade will bother with upgrading. However if buying now it would make sense to go with the latest chipset, this being the P35 if it fits

 

[Deleted member 30535]

Thanks. I had assumed the 45nm WAS the new Penryn.

My problem is that there I cannot seem to find a mobo with 4 "standard" PCI slots on the latest P35. The most I can see is 3. If this board is good at overclocking then I'll probably go with that and attemot to squeeze as much as I can from it.

It supports upto 1066Mhz Memory speed without the need to overclock the FSB

What is the significance of this? And what memory could be used to take advantage of this?

 

[GLP1]

Thanks. I had assumed the 45nm WAS the new Penryn.

My problem is that there I cannot seem to find a mobo with 4 "standard" PCI slots on the latest P35. The most I can see is 3. If this board is good at overclocking then I'll probably go with that and attemot to squeeze as much as I can from it.



What is the significance of this? And what memory could be used to take advantage of this?

The point I was trying to make is that the Commando is no run of the mill P965 motherboard. Its a second generation board probably the equal to any / most P35 DDR2 motherboards.

The comment re 1066MHz memory speed is that most P965 boards can only run the RAM at 899MHz without having to overclock the RAM / CPU. The Commando can. I use Corsair Twin 2X2048 8500 C5D Dominator in my P5B deluxe WiFi AP.

Frankly the advice that a P35 mobo is better than the Commando will only apply to high end P35 DDR3 systems and even then it won't be by much until there is faster DDR3 available.

Gavin

 

[Deleted member 30535]

So is the C5D Dominator is running at 1066 in your board?

 

[Latman]

Been looking at this board myself and was wondering what processor to go for. Since it is easily overclockable, can someone recommend a decent dual core processor to go with it?

 

[Deleted member 30535]

Been looking at this board myself and was wondering what processor to go for. Since it is easily overclockable, can someone recommend a decent dual core processor to go with it?

And recommendations on a suitable cooler would be cool! (pun intended, sorry).

 

[booyaka]

And recommendations on a suitable cooler would be cool! (pun intended, sorry).

any of the follow all seem to be favourites dependant on who you ask/your budget/size of case.

Noctua NH-U12F CPU Cooler
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler
Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU Cooler

I personaly have the Ninja (no fan attached) and it's excellent. I have good case cooling 3 x 120mm and 1 x 200mm fan.

E6600 @ 3.2ghz - idle about 39/40 and full load 24/7 when folding about 51/52 degrees.

 

[booyaka]

Been looking at this board myself and was wondering what processor to go for. Since it is easily overclockable, can someone recommend a decent dual core processor to go with it?

what budget? What's the useage of the system for ?

Assuming it's a core 2 duo - dual core E6750 (£130) or quad core Q6600 (£165)

 

[GLP1]

So is the C5D Dominator is running at 1066 in your board?

No, not natively, but when the RAM is set to run at 2:3 ratio with the FSB it can.

I must admit I tend to Overclock my E6600 much less these days and when I do, I use the Asus Ai Suite Utility.

My E6600 easily does 3.61GHz.

I use a thermalright SI 128 cooler which just fits into a hFX Classic case. It also helps cool the motherboard heatsinks too.

Gavin

 

[GLP1]

Been looking at this board myself and was wondering what processor to go for. Since it is easily overclockable, can someone recommend a decent dual core processor to go with it?

Would also make a really good board for overclocking an E2140 or E2160 too.

Gavin