ASUS A8R MVP
Specifications
ATI Xpress 1600 chipset based; 2000 MHz HT bus (FSB); CrossFire ready; four DIMMs support 4 GB of DDR 400 MHz RAM; 6-channel HD compliant audio
Our Verdict
Although not future-proof, lets face it… Socket 939 motherboards are still hot due to their reduced prices and the fact that AMD 939 dual-core processors are dirt-cheap! The ASUS A8R MVP is the best board around for 939 processors, single or dual core. Good layout, great feature set, and sterling performance and stability, coupled with the fact that you get a multi-GPU-ready platform make the A8R MVP a good buy if you’re on a budget, and still want good performance from your Desktop. Though the newer platforms have overshadowed Socket 939, if you need the best motherboard from that AMD 64 processor, you can’t goof up here.
Runner-Up: ASUS A8R 32 MVP Deluxe
ASUS Crosshair
Specifications
nForce 590SLI chipset based; 2000 MHz HT Bus (FSB); SLI-ready; four DIMMs support 8 GB of DDR2 800 MHz RAM; 8-channel HD compliant audio
Our Verdict
ASUS designed the Crosshair from the PCB layer up to be a hardcore enthusiast solution. This is the best looking board we’ve laid our hands on for the AM2 platform. It also wins on the layout front, with the attractive heatpipe cooling solution adding visual appeal. Lacking any sort of onboard cooling fans, the Crosshair is able to provide a quiet computing experience without compromising on stability. An eight-phase power design and lots of over-volting options in the BIOS will keep most enthusiasts happy, while SLI support will keep gamers interested as well.
Performance is excellence itself. The Crosshair is also an outstanding combination of looks, features, and a rich bundle. It’s pricey, but so are Ferraris!
Runner-Up: MSI K9N SLI Platinum