M3N78-EM vs M3A78-EM

4 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/m3n78-em-vs-m3a78-em.105606/

Hi All!
I am going to build a new system wuth AMD Athlon 64X2 processor. I have a Intel machine with Pentium Dual Core E2180 CPU and Asus P5K-VM (with G33-ICH9) but totally disgusted with the general application response and graphics performance. I think I'd go for an AMD system as I have a budget of around 8K for CPU+MB and I don't want to have a graphics card as I'm not an avid gamer.
I have an eye on Asus M3N78-EM and M3A78-EM both priced around 4.5K.
Can you tell me which will be the best buy?
Please respond promptly.

The one with a N is Micro-ATX. So lesser PCI and PCI Express slots. But it has onboard NVIDIA, HDMI out, and eSATA. Other than these, both boards are same - spec wise.

Since you won't be gaming much, the onboard nvidia chip should serve you better in the N version. I'd suggest that.

Both are micro ATX, M3A has one display port extra...
The Main difference is M3N has nVidia 8300 chipset and the M3A has ATI 780G chipset. The thread was intended for comparison of performance of the chipsets.

@ turbasu
Have you tried OC your rig. You have very good OC able CPU.
OC it to 3Ghz with any good board Like Abit IP35e or Msi P35 Neo-F ( Rs. 4300 )
& it will kick ass any amd athlon am2 proc.

If you don't want to OC Buy intel e7300 For Rs. 5100
& Buy a 9500GT gfx card for Rs.3800.

Your rigs performance will be better than any AMP atlon X2 based rig.