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ECS PN2-SLI2+ Review
[Abstract]
IntroductionIn an effort to improve their standing in the high-end motherboard market, ECS launched the newest member to its 'Extreme' motherboard line up - the ECS PN2 SLI2+. Based on NVIDIA's...
[Content] PCDigitalMobileGame
Conclusion
Since we initially received the Biostar board first, it has logically become our benchmark for the ECS PN2 SLI2+. However, if we strip away the packaging box, for all intents and purposes, we might be reviewing the same board again. Features, design and build are identical, but as with hardware components, no two parts are the same. In general, motherboard compatibility is great, though we noticed that the PN2 SLI2+ required slightly more juice to maintain stability using DDR2-800 at our benchmark timings of 4-4-4-12 1T. Most boards (including the Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe) perform great with memory voltage set to 2.10V, but the PN2 SLI2+ required at least 2.25V to successfully complete some of our benchmarks.
The nForce 680i SLI chipset is already warm enough as it is and the high memory voltage required becomes a concern for DIMM lifespan and would probably limit further overclocking as well. From our own overclocking tests on the board, it seems that there may be an issue with the PN2 SLI2+ to attain a stable environment at high clock settings. This is the biggest differentiator between the Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe and the ECS PN2 SLI2+. Luckily, overall performance of the board isn't compromised at least, and the ECS PN2 SLI2+ performs as well as to be expected against the competition for a stock nForce 680i SLI motherboard.
If you need an nForce 680i SLI board today, the ECS PN2 SLI2+ is as good a choice as any. |
Now that we've tested two such nForce 680i SLI boards, initial teething problems are evident. Though they are not showstoppers, it will probably take a while for the NVIDIA BIOS to properly mature. The ECS PN2 SLI2+ remains a solid nForce 680i SLI motherboard that will satisfy all but the most hardcore enthusiast, and if you happen to fall into that group, you'd probably want to wait for the custom boards from the likes of abit, ASUS or Gigabyte.
Our initial estimate for the prices of these boards are spot on. The ECS and Biostar are both retailing at around US$249 each at major online stores. Now considering that we're looking at identical builds, features, performance and pricing, it will really fall onto the branding, packaging and local warranty to be the deciding factor for boards such as the ECS PN2 SLI2+ or Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe.
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