Introduction:
While your computer may be used for several things, whether work related or for entertainment purposes; usually the components on the inside were aimed for both options. MSI’s new motherboard, the NF980-G65 pushes all other options aside and screams, I was meant for gaming! The NF890 is in every way, a motherboard meant for the gamer enthusiast. Supporting 3-way SLI, the latest AM3 based processors (Phenom II), allowing for an easy overclocking switch and MSI’s Active Phase Switching for those who sometimes may feel the need to go green when they are not fragging (or being fragged).
MSI’s Take:
“To fit the demand of ultimate gaming performance ,MSI, as a global renowned mainboard and graphic card manufacturer, launched NF980-G65 with NVIDIA nForce 980a chipset which supports not only AMD latest Phenom™ II AM3 processor as well as DDR3 memory, but also 3-way SLI processing by additional NF200 controlling chip in order to enhance the expanding capacity of mainboard. In addition, NF980-G65 is equipped with MSI exclusive design, such as APS(Active Phase Switching), Easy OC Switch and True Blue-ray audio, presently the best option to optimize your AMD gaming performance.”
From all appearances the NF980-G65 has the makings of a stellar performing board. Are the looks deceiving or does the NF980-G65 deliver a rocket fueled high octane performance? Read on to find out.
This might be off topic but I have just fInished assembling a new RIG using the nf980-g65 MB. Have checked all the connections the board lights up all fans run GPU CPU Case etc. The blue APS light is on. The DVD drive is live at least the drawer opens and closes and the green light comes on and goes off as it should. Not so sure about the HDD. How do I check that? Not getting any beeps. Not sure if this board has a speaker? Can’t find any built in the case either. Anyhow to get to the point I do not get a post screen. Can’t install OS or MB drivers. The lights are on but nobody’s home.
NF980-G65
Phenom ll x4 965 Black
4gb DDR3 CL9 Kingston 1333mhz
MSI N465GTX (OC to 470 Specs)
PSU OCZGXS850
500 gb SATA ll Seagate HDD
Sony DVD
Well first unplug everything but the power connections,CPU,RAM. I assume you are using aftermarket vid or onboard vid. Make sure the power to the vid is plugged in right. Then start. if that doesnt work, post back here and we can go to the next step.
Hi Jason
Thanks for your input. I did what you said and it booted to post. Now I’m just tweaking everything up. For a while I thought a piece of hardware or a short at the MB / Case was at fault and I would have to start from scratch again. But as it happened I disconnected all the hardware pulled the ram and moved one stick to another channel and away it went. So thanks for help.
Ron
This may be a dead subject…but after having this board for months it has started not posting. I have to turn the power on….wait a few seconds then hit the reset button…sometimes 2-3 times before it posts….sooo frustrating.
Finally I just bought the crosshair extreme. Im in a jam because I have the AMD 1090T and two GTX580’s…tough to find an AMD board that supports SLI.
here is my rig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35g_mnlG0ME
How is this board still running for you? I have heard that it has its faults and quite a few of them actually POP* and generate smoke/sparks when overclocked.