Games:
Games were tested for min, max and average frames per second in game using Fraps to take readings.
Left 4 Dead:
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Left 4 Dead is a co-operative, survival horror, first-person shooter video game. It was developed by Turtle Rock Studios, which was purchased by the Valve Corporation part-way into development. The game uses the Source engine, and is available for Windows and the Xbox 360.
The game pits four Survivors of an apocalyptic pandemic against hordes of aggressive infected. There are three game modes: a single player mode in which allied characters are controlled by AI; a four-player, co-op Campaign mode; and an eight-player Versus mode. In all modes, an AI, dubbed “The Director”, controls level pacing and item spawns, in an attempt to create a dynamic experience and increase replay value.
The test was done during the final horde in the level Crash Course.
AA = x8/AF = x16
| FPS | Min | Max | Average |
| 1680 x 1050 | 73 | 279 | 157.051 |
At the tested resolution and settings we would say the MSI NF980-G65 turned in excellent results delivering an awesome experience that any gamer would be pleased with.
Far Cry 2:
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Ubisoft has marketed Far Cry 2 as the true sequel to Far Cry, though the sequel has very few noticeable similarities to the original game. Instead, it features completely new characters and setting, as well as a new style of game play that allows the player greater freedom to explore different African landscapes such as deserts, jungles, and savannas. The game takes place in a fictional modern-day Central African nation in a state of anarchy and civil war. The player takes control of a mercenary on a lengthy journey to locate and assassinate “The Jackal,” a notorious arms dealer. The game play of Far Cry 2 more closely resembles that of Grand Theft Auto rather than that of the original Far Cry
AA = x8 / All settings on High
| FPS | Min | Max | Average |
| 1680 x 1050 | 26.23 | 65.97 | 42.51 |
Far Cry 2 is torture for nearly any system and can easily bring the beefiest of video cards to its knees, that being said the MSI NF980-G65 turns in acceptable gameplay given our resolution and settings on high.
Crysis Warhead:
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Crysis Warhead updates and refines the game play of the original game through a side story plot involving Psycho, one of previous protagonist Nomad’s allies. The game is a parallel story that follows Sergeant Michael “Psycho” Sykes,a character from the original Crysis, as he faces his own trials and challenges on the other side of the island during the time period of the first game. It features new fully customizable weapons, vehicles and enemies, along with new multi player content. It also showcases a new, enhanced and optimized version of CryEngine 2 and is the first game developed by Crytek’s Budapest studio. Crysis Warhead seems to be the most demanding game out on the market to date.
No AA/AF, Quality set on High.
| FPS | Min | Max | Average |
| 1680 x 1050 | 5.63 | 38.41 | 22.02 |
Crysis, though an aging game, still manages to make our test system scream for mercy with a minimum framerate of 5.63 and maximum of 38.41. Of course most gamers will throttle back their settings from what you see we used in order to obtain a playable experience. Without adding additional video cards or spending much more for a higher end card this is what you can expect if you want to push those settings all the way up.
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.