I've spent a fair amount of time working on computers over the 15 years or so, seen enough parts to have opinions on what's good and what's not, at least until lately. I've used Asus boards for quite a while, have always heard that they're pretty good and that was my experience until the last few months when I've had a string of clunkers.

I bought a K8N-VM (built-in nVidia) and a K8V-VM (Via). Wanted two K8Ns but could only get one. Put a Sempron 2800 that I had extra on one, got a new Sempron 3k on the other. The K8N lasted maybe three or four months then croaked--just won't boot. Couldn't find another, so I ordered another K8V. It was DOA, got it replaced under warranty. The first K8V ran fine for several months, then one day Windows just shut down, left a black screen with message "disk error". Never could get it back, so it went on the scrap heap. Now, about two months later, the second K8V just did the same thing tonight.

So, other than cussing Asus and swearing I'll never buy another one--has anyone else had trouble with them lately? I know those K8s are cheap boards but they're still Asus and supposed to be reliable. Now I've gone through four of them and I'm not real enthused about getting another. The Asus in my main computer seems to be fine but I'm almost tempted to replace it--just don't know with what. I've also had good luck with Gigabytes but haven't used many of them. What do you guys think?

 

i use a-open and have had good luck w/them! but i put and asus in my sons puter and never had a problem!

 

If the three MB's have all let the smoke out while using the same power supply, I'd change out the power supply before putting another motherboard in it. I'd recommend Thermaltake and should run you about $40.00.

 

Well while building systems or up-grades I have used A-Open, A-Bit, Asus, and MIS and had good luck with all. However, I have had failures in all ot them and the board were new! They all replaced them for me!

 

Furball--no, three different cases/power supplies. All were Antecs. Kinda pricey but pretty decent....of course, I thought that about Asus boards too.

5_labs--yeah, I've had new boards DOA, but only got lucky once on these. The other three lasted just long enough to be out of warranty.

 

I use either ECS motherboards or GIGABYTE motherboards.

 

I would start by pulling the MB & booting it up on the box it came in. Then start adding components. Since you have already built several computers, I would guess that you have already tried these standard steps. Have you checked any Asus forums? It has been a couple of years since I built the last computer but I can find a couple if you need.

You will need to give them specific info on all 3 builds ie. the volts on the +12 rail of of your psu along with the make (were all 3 antec?).