Asus motherboard with on-board RAM [Archive]

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Essay @ Kustom

29-08-2007, 12:53

Just when you think a company is pelting forward at breakneck pace, they throw you a curve ball ( or rather, the dreaded Splitter, if you play Wii Baseball and that's your only base for sports analogies, like myself ): A motherboard with built in, unchangeable, non-upgradeable, if it develops a fault, it's taking your whole board with it, 2GB of DDR3 RAM.

The observant among you may have noticed that I'm somewhat sceptical of this idea...time may prove me wrong. I mean, I laughed at on-board soundcards back in the beginning. On the other hand, having an on-board soundcard doesn't disable the option to fit a separate soundcard, whereas this motherboard doesn't come with any memory slots. That said, it does prevent you buying the wrong RAM or a brand that isn't on the QVL or other compatibility issue ( when did buying RAM become so complicated!? ).

Actually, I think I may be torn on the issue...Any thoughts?

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/news/tech/4963-asuslarge.jpg

Full article from TrustedReviews (http://www.trustedreviews.com/motherboards/news/2007/07/16/Asus-Announces-Motherboard-With-Onboard-RAM/p1) and full spec of the board from Asus (http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=7819). Story submitted by [M]uuhh

Big Adam

29-08-2007, 13:15

Not such a crazy idea. We don't consider buying graphics cards with onboard ram and gpu to be odd.

I haven't read the article (at work :rolleyes:) but if the ram is high spec and is OC'd above stock (a la Gainward Golden Samples in the good 'ol days) then I'd consider it.

brumster

29-08-2007, 13:18

For several years now, every CPU upgrade I've done has involved a new motherboard, which has meant new memory too (and graphics card, but that's another matter!). The standards shift so quickly that I don't see this as too much of a silly idea - warranty will cover any problems with the memory, and 2Gb is plenty more 99% of the targetted user base I imagine.

By the time anyone is thinking of changing the memory or motherboard, standards will dictate they will have to do the other at the same time too anyway - so why not bundle them together?

Only people who won't like this, I imagine, are the overclockers amongst us.

[M]uuhh

29-08-2007, 15:27

when i found this article i thought to myself OH NOES! but actual it is overclockable with a good CPU. and in the end it will probably be cheaper than buying a new Mobo and Ram together. there is said to be a 50% speed increase in memory access times . although the mobo itself looks more like a plumbers nightmare than a motherboard, but i think it could Be a good step if the board comes available with different memory amounts 2 and 4 Gig anyone?

Essay @ Kustom

29-08-2007, 17:39

Would this open a market up to have RAM on a USB dongle, a la the USB soundcards for those that don't have the expansion option?

I mean, if scientists can reanimate human flesh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein) and harness the power of personal flight (http://imdb.com/title/tt0102803/) who knows what they can do with USB RAM!

fatnickc

29-08-2007, 18:40

Sub

30-08-2007, 08:48

ok so looking at the heatpip layout on that board.. the heat... goes... erm.. where? if mounted in atx i don't know if the heatpipes will be effective? it looks heavy lol

Fat Jez

30-08-2007, 11:06

ok so looking at the heatpip layout on that board.. the heat... goes... erm.. where? if mounted in atx i don't know if the heatpipes will be effective? it looks heavy lol

Ultimately, the heat will find its way into the heatsinks over the voltage regulators (probably not the best place!). If mounted in ATX config, then the heatpipes will be fine. If the board is mounted in BTX, then all the heat will find its way to the north and south bridges, which will definitely not help system stability!

Cheers,
Stephen

Sub

30-08-2007, 22:11

exactly seems daft :( i can't mount my sli premium upside down due to this, unless i water cool it.. meh i have no use for btx currently anyway lol so i'll just shut up

Fat Jez

30-08-2007, 22:15

meh i have no use for btx currently anyway lol so i'll just shut up

Maybe but there are some nice cases that use that design (Lian Li V2000) which is annoying for motherboards that have heatpipes.

Cheers,
Stephen

[M]uuhh

30-08-2007, 22:36

i would much rather heatpipes than a n noisy cheapo fan stuck on with glue anyday.

Essay @ Kustom

31-08-2007, 18:09

The pipes look fairly well stuck down/integrated...doubt there would be much scope for removing them to fire some after-markets on..which is the benefit to cheapo fan jobbies...

Now, if they had taken it one step further, hollowed out the pipes and put an 8mm or 10mm inlet on it..that would be verging on being special.

eXistenZ

31-08-2007, 18:22

Hmm, if they released this as a mATX board that would be great for a HTPC where you're not bothered about OC'ing or upgradeing, and it saves on a bit of space.

movinginthedark

02-09-2007, 00:25

Would be good for the HTPC market, if it were available in that factor. Might benifit some of the server market too.

I do like the idea of different flavours i.e. 2, 4 and 8GB (eventually, if there is enough demand).

It does look good - but again, wouldn't work in my V2100+.... damn you upside down ATX. But, I hope this doesn't crash and burn like BTX.