BIOSTAR - BIOSTAR K8HNA Pro nForce3 Motherboard Review

Joel Hruska reviews BIOSTAR’s new nForce-150 motherboard, the K8HNA Pro:

Biostar is another up-and-coming motherboard manufacturer with a strengthening product line and a rising following, particularly in the SFF market where its iDEQ line is proving very popular. The K8NHA is Biostar’s attempt to establish themselves early as a player in the Athlon 64 (754-pin) market, but early adopters often have their own challenges to face and a weak product early can taint a manufacturer’s reputation for years to come. Biostar is taking a calculated risk, but if it pays off it could pay off big, and sitting still never got a company anywhere. Let’s take a look at the K8NHA and see whether we’ve got lemons or lemonade.

. . . While its current incarnation is nothing worth buying, the K8NHA Pro could be one of the best Socket 754 boards currently available, if Biostar restores its lost components (and stabilizes the erratic performance level). Alternatively, the nForce3 250 version of the board could be quite a powerhouse. But as it stands, even a low price point isn’t going to save this one. Even though Biostar is aiming for a $105-$110 price, far better boards are available for only $20-$30 more. Given that the motherboard is always the component we recommend you don’t skimp on, this is one board that’s simply too expensive—at any price.