Joined on 06/20/04
Great Board
Pros: IDE capability is not a hassle (no Jmicron chip). Good connector positions. Good overclocking. Based on much more expensive 680i chip set. Lots of happy users. Overclocks very well. Cost. No special issues to hassle with.
Cons: Bios starter screen picture is not so great. Memory slot colors a little different.
Overall Review: Better than 965 boards that have IDE issues. You can use 4 IDE devices with the NVIDIA chip set. Overclocks to 2.6G with stock voltages, about 3.2G with small/moderate voltage tweaks but of course produces more heat. It has a nice NB heat sink for overclocking temperatures. This is direct competition for the 965 based boards in my opinion but much more stable.
Pros: Nice heavy unit for 430W. Nice packaging, long cables.
Cons: Some Corsair models have a fan problem. Corsair support says the fan is suppose to spin all the time and vary its speed as required. The defect is that some go from not spinning to full speed noisy and then dead still again.
Overall Review: This problem should have been caught at the factory. I bought Corsair because I was hoping to avoid any hassles - costly returns, replacement delays and yet this is what I got.
Update on Fan
Pros: After several days of use the fan started spinning at startup like Corsair says it's suppose to.
Cons: Not like the older CX400. Not 80 series certified, efficiency is "up to 80%" not greater than 80%.
Overall Review: Fan not spinning at startup. After several days of use it started spinning sooner and sooner to where it now spins at startup every time like Corsair said it is suppose to. (Sleeve fan? Manual doesn't say.)
Works well, many happy users
Pros: Quiet, stable, doesn't get hot, and from a major OEM equipment supplier so good reliability. 35A of single 12v. Large quiet fan. Reasonable cost. Strong voltages.
Cons: None...
Overall Review: No on/off switch in back but not necessary. Why spend over $100 unless you plan on using 30A continuous of the 35A.