Why 2 8K3A(+) Versions?

[evilernie]

Hello,

why are there 2 8K3A(+) versions?

1.0 for retail market and 1.1 for previews??? Why can´t I buy 1.1 but the previews use 1.1? You can see the difference with 1.1 use ALC650 (6 channel sound) and 1.0 with old ALC210A (2 Channel)?

[kendan]

I just got mine today from Frys and it says six channel sound on the soundchip. Is there some place on the board where you can see what revision the board is?

[JayJay]

On the 8KHA+.....the board revision is located at the bottom left......right at the edge of the board.....close to the last PCI slot....

Myt be the same with the 8K3A

[Caper]

Look between PCI 5 and 6, it printed there.

[EPoX Tech]

Do we know any of the websites with revision 1.1PCB ?

[evilernie]

Originally posted by EPoX Tech
Do we know any of the websites with revision 1.1PCB ?

ocworkbench.com

viahardware.com

www.teccentral.de (German)

...

[EPoX Tech]

Remember that there was an open option here :-

Release mainboard with ALC201 when it was released with a view to change to ALC650 when chipset becomes available in bulk.

Or make those wait (who prefer thier own individual sound cards) and force them to have ALC650 even if they didn't want it.

I am sure that the vast majority of users will appreciate this.

[bldegle2]

now there are three versions, so you want the latest and greatest, 1.3.

if ordering from an online vendor, do it by phone and ask first.

baldy

[EPoX Tech]

There are only two revisions of this mainboard presently released - 1.0 and 1.1

[evilernie]

Originally posted by EPoX Tech
There are only two revisions of this mainboard presently released - 1.0 and 1.1

No. Friend got a 8K3A+ Rev 1.2. Same like Rev. 1.1 but digital Out.

[Caper]

My feeling about this...I don´t really care about the internal sound.
But I was dissapointed that Epox did it like this.
When I read a review of a new board I expect to get atleast same revison as reviewers get and not an earlier "engineering sample"
Those reviews was done before I could get my hands on it here in Sweden.

Are they really any differences at all besides the soundchip??
I guess we customers will never know for sure.

I got this information from Epox Support UK when questioning about differences in Revisions:

2 or 6 channel audio depends on the board revision and audio controller
chipset used.
REV 1.0 supports 2 channel only (ALC201A).
REV 1.1 supports 6 channel with no SPDIF (ALC650).
REV 1.2 supports 6 channel with SPDIF (ALC650).

Please note that EPoX UK makes no mention of 6 channel audio at our website. EPoX UK is answering this query.

Have also seen more info about revisions but this is not confirmed by Epox:
1.0 old 201 sound
1.1 new 650 sound (6 channel)
1.2 650+digital out
1.3 650+digital out+XP diode without problems

My brand new board mounted just day´s ago is already replaced by several newer revisions.

I have considered Epox as top class products combined with excellent support/customer care and did not expect them to do like this.
Other manufacturers maybe...but not Epox.

I hope that Epox keep up the quality product´s and keep their care about customers.
That is what made me choose Epox from the beginning.

My feelings about Epox right now is a mixed bag.

[kendan]

Mine is a 1.2

[Zeppelin]

Seems like Epox in UK got all the news late thats y Epox Tech does not know at all there's a latest version

[EPoX Tech]

Seems like Zeppelin knows even less !!!

I feel it is not always right to give full detail on product that is not yet in the public domain in case it changes prior to hitting the street - then guys like Zeppelin start to say - "You said it would be..... and it isn't what you said".

Common sense is all it is.

[Zeppelin]

Ok Epox Tech dont get frustrated I'm sorry.
Maybe in UK it's a bit late when receiving the latest product on the market from Taiwan.
I'm leaving in parts of Asia thats why I got it first and cheaper too.

[The Spyder]

So whats the chance if i get one that it will be which revision?
SPyder

[EPoX Tech]

Check with the retailer and ask if they can slide the board from the box and look through the bag in between PCI slots 5 and 6 where the revision number is printed.

As time goes on the likelyhood of getting a revision 1.0 board will decrease and the likeleyhood of receiving a revision 1.1 board increases, and then the same actions will follow for revision 1.2 and perhaps any revision that may or may not appear thereafter.

Keep an eye to the market place at the time the mainboard is purchased.

[Simon W]

How many people ever use the onboard sound anyway?

I'd have thought the vast majority of buyers already have a separate sound card - in which case the different onboard sound revisions are irrelevant. Or have I missed something here?

I just fitted an 8K3A+ and added my existing SB Live 5.1 card, so I didn't even bother installing the onboard sound drivers.

Everything sems to work fine although someone should re-write the user manual which seems to have been written in gobbledegook.

[Nate-X]

Wonder if newegg has cleared there old stock Thinking about buying an 8k3a+ soon hehe

[EPoX Tech]

You never know who's reading that may have something to do with the manual - beware !