Review Albatron K8SLI Mainboard

Sigmund Freud would most certainly call Albatron’s outer packaging, manly. Sporting a double barreled tank on a forest camo pattern, Albatron’s marketing people have come up with some truly unique eye grabbing appeal. Within the packaging we find our Albatron K8SLI board and a fairly light complement of extras. These include a user manual and quick reference installation guide, SLI bridge, Backup BIOS Module, one SATA cable, a SATA power adapter, IDE ribbon cables, I/O adapter plate and driver CD. Not that I was expecting a fat game bundle but while the essentials are most certainly included, the overall extra goodies seem slim.

The Board

As noted earlier, the Albatron K8SLI is a very compact board. This compactness doesn’t make much difference in the realm of practicality but it does make for a cleaner, neater appearance. The first thing you will notice on K8SLI, are the four DIMM slots positioned at the top of the board. This placement allows for a more narrow overall product. Each DIMM is capable of handling up to a gig stick of memory per slot as well as supporting dual channel. Just atop the DIMMS, is the FDD connector. I’ve seen some weird placement of mainboard components before but this one nearly tops the list. I don’t see this as a negative aspect of the K8SLI, as floppy drives are all but dead, hence my styling it ‘weird’ but still acceptable.

The processor socket is centrally placed as you would expect. A row of capacitors lines its edge on the I/O side. These capacitors don’t look to be any hindrance to the installation of an aftermarket cooler. In our testing we found no clearance issues with the few aftermarket AMD coolers we had on the shelf.

Along the right edge of the board we find all our cable connection points positioned admirably. As many of you know, I’m big about keeping cable clutter to an absolute minimum. Cable connections along the edge of a board is the best way to keep things as neat and clean as possible. Starting at the top edge moving down, we find the 24-pin ATX power connector, two IDE channels, four SATA posts and the front panel connectors at the very bottom. Positioning of the two internal USB connections just forward of the SATA posts shows a conscious effort on the part of Albatron for neat cable placement.

New Mainboard VIA Introduces New pc3500

VIA’s pc3500 motherboard features the CN896 chipset with integrated Chrome9 HC integrated graphics. The integrated VIA Chrome9 HC IGP delivers DirectX 9 compatibility with the Chromotion 3.0 video processing engine. VIA pairs the CN896 with an embedded, nanoBGA2 VIA C7-D processor. Two speed grades of the pc3500 are available – 1.5 GHz and 1.8 GHz.
Additionally, the board features two DDR2 DIMM slots for up to 2GB of DDR2 400/533/667 MHz memory, four USB 2.0, two SATA 3.0 Gbps, two PATA 10/100 Ethernet and onboard eight-channel high-definition audio. Gigabit Ethernet, S-Video and S/PDIF outputs are optional. PCIe x16 and PCI slots are also available for additional expansion.

Motherboard AMD Chaintech SK8T800

Features / Specifications

Processor

AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor

FSB
800 MHz

Chipset


North Bridge : VIA K8T800
South Bridge : VIA VT8237
LAN Chip : VIA VT6103 PHY 10/100 Mbit
Audio Chip : 5.1 Surround AC'97 Codec


Memory
2 x DDR Sockets:
DDR200/266/333/400 NON-ECC DDR SDRAM up to 2GB


Expansion Slots
1 x AGP(3.0) 8X slot (1.5V only)
5 x PCI slots (PCI 2.2 compliant)


IDE Connectors
2 ATA133/100/66 Channels, up to 4 ATA 133/100/66 IDE devices
2 Serial ATA150 Channels, up to 2 Serial ATA150 Hard Drives

Onboard I/O Connectors
Three 3x1 pin fan connectors
Three 5x2 pin USB connectors for additional 6 USB ports
Optional 3x2 pin S/PDIF connector for additional S/PDIF-out adaptor
3x1 pin wake on LAN connector with housing
3x1 pin wake on Modem connector with housing
Two 4x1 pin CD-in connectors
9x2 pin front panel connector
5x2 pin front side audio connector
20 pin ATX Power connector
4 pin ATX 12V Power connector


I/O via Back Panel
PS/2 keyboard/mouse, 2 x USB(2.0/1.1), 1x RJ45, 2 x Com(serial), 1 x Parallel,
1x Line-in / Line-out (Speaker Out ) / MIC, 1x Game / MIDI

Power
20-pin ATX power connector, 4-pin ATX 12V power connector

Form Factor
ATX ( 305 x 220 mm )

Review Motherboard ECS NF650iSLIT-A Socket 775

The ECS NF650SLIT-A Motherboard is intended to offer up full SLI PCI-E 16x support as well as some decent features. While the 650-SLI chipset has achieved less than top notch overclocking results from other various makers, it hasn't been poor results either. The common 650 boards reach the 1300 FSB area before running in to heat and stability issues. In some cases, these motherboards differ in limits based on which multi-core processor was used to test. Overclocking really isn't all that important as far as the 650-SLI goes. In fact, users would rather get a little something extra along with excellent stability and good performance. Let's see where the ECS NF650SLIT-A places based on these terms.

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H (AM2+)

GIGABYTE S series motherboards, the champion's choice for AMD AM2+ platform!

1. Supports AMD Athlon/ Sempron processors
2. Solid capacitors design in CPU VRM
3. Dual Channel DDR2 1066 for remarkable system performance
4. Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200-based graphics (DX10)
5. Ultimate graphics performance with PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support
6. Integrated SATA 3Gb/s with RAID function
7. Features high speed Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE1394
8. High quality 106dB SNR ALC889A HD audio
9. Integrated HDMI/ DVI interface with HDCP
10. Supports Windows Vista Premium

The GA-MA78GM-S2H is GIGABYTEs next generation, high performance platform based on the new AMD 780G Chipset and support for the new AMD Phenom quad-core processors, with the latest AM2+ platform support, integrated DDR2 1066 memory controller, HyperTransport 3.0 technology links and 128-bit Floating Point Units. In addition, GA-MA78GM-S2H features with two innovative S features - Safe, Smart technologies, further providing reliable and user friendly computing and reaching the maximum system performance easily via personalized software settings.
Specifications

Processor :
Support for Socket AM2+/ AM2 processors: AMD Phenom FX processor/ AMD Phenom X4 processor/ AMD Phenom X3 processor/ AMD Athlon X2 processor/ AMD Athlon processor/ AMD Sempron processor

Hyper Transport Bus
1. 5200/2000 MT/s

Chipset :
1. North Bridge: AMD 780G
2. South Bridge Chipset: AMD SB700

Memory :
1. 4 x 1.8v DDR2 DIMM memory slots (supports up to 16GB memory)(Note 1)
2. Dual channel memory architecture
3. Support for DDR2 1066 (Note 2)/800/667 MHz memory modules
(Note 1) Due to the limitation of Windows 32-bit operating system, when more than 4GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory available for the operating system will be less than 4GB; Windows 64-bit operating system doesn't have such limitation.
(Note 2) Whether 1066 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used.

Audio :
1. Realtek ALC889A codec
2. High Definition Audio
3. 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
4. Support for DTS (dts NEO:PC)
5. Support for S/PDIF In/Out
6. Support for CD In

Expansion Slots :
1. 1 PCI Express x 16 slot
2. 1 PCI Express x 4 slot
3. 2 PCI slot

LAN :
1. Realtek 8111C chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)

Expansion Slots :
1. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (The PCI Express x16 slot conforms to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
2. 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
3. 2 x PCI slots

Storage Interface :
South Bridge :
1. 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
2. 5 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATAII0, SATAII1, SATAII2, SATAII3, SATAII4) supporting up to 5 SATA 3Gb/s devices
3. 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port on the back panel supporting up to 1 SATA 3Gb/s device
4. Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10
iTE IT8718 chip :
1. 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive

IEEE 1394 :
1. Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header)

USB :
1. Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, 8 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)

Internal I/O Connectors :
1. 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
2. 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
3. 1 x floppy disk drive connector
4. 1 x IDE connector
5. 5 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
6. 1 x CPU fan header
7. 1 x system fan header
8. 1 x front panel header
9. 1 x North Bridge fan header
10. 1 x front panel audio header
11. 1 x CD In connector
12. 1 x S/PDIF In/Out header
13. 1x IEEE 1394a header
14. 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
15. 1 x parallel port header
16. 1 x serial port header
17. 1 x chassis intrusion header
18. 1 x power LED header

Back Panel Connectors :
1. 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
2. 1 x PS/2 mouse port
3. 1 x D-Sub port
4. 1 x DVI-D port (Note 3)
5. 1 x HDMI port
6. 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
7. 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port
8. 1 x IEEE 1394a port
9. 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
10. 1 x RJ-45 port
11. 6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
(Note 3) The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.

H/W Monitoring :
1. CPU/System temperature detection
2. CPU/System fan speed detection
3. CPU overheating warning
4. CPU/System fan fail warning
5. CPU/System fan speed control (Note 4)
(Note 4) Whether the CPU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU/ system cooler you install

Unique Features :
1. Support for @BIOS
2. Support for Download Center
3. Support for Q-Flash
4. Support for EasyTune
5. Support for Xpress Install
6. Support for Xpress Recovery2
7. Support for Virtual Dual BIOS

Operating System :
1. Support for Microsoft Windows Vista/ XP

Form Factor :
1. Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.4cm x 24.4cm

Gigabyte GA-8I915PMD, Intel 915, Socket 775 Motherboard

* µATX 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm Form Factor

CPU Support

* Socket LGA775
* Support Intel® Pentium® Hyper - Threading technology with FMB Performance 2005 support
* Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in a LGA775 socket with a 800 MHz system bus, 2.8Ghz to 3.8 GHz or higher.
* Support for an Intel® Celeron® processor in a LGA775 socket with a 533 MHz system bus, 2.8 GHz or higher.

System Memory

* Four 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM DIMM sockets.
* Serial Presence Detect
* Support for single-sided or double-sided DIMMs (DDR2 400 / DDR2 533)
* Support for up to 4 GB system memory
* Non-ECC RAM (ECC memory will run in non-ECC mode)
* Single and dual channel mode operation:
o Single channel mode with single DIMM, non-symmetrical population or non-identical DIMMs
o Dual channel mode with 2 or 4 identical DIMMs, populated symmetrically


Core Logic (Chipset)

* The Intel 915P chipset

I/O controller:

* ITE IT8712F-A

Fire Wire controller

* The Texas Instrument (TSB43AB23)

Audio Chipset

* Intel® High Definition Audio subsystem using the Realtek ALC880 audio codec.

Ethernet Controller

* Realtek RTL8100C PCI/Mini-PCI Single-Chip Fast Ethernet Controller
* Power Management
* 10 Mbps, 10 Base-T and 100 Mbps 100 Base-TX support

System Motherboard

The motherboard is the main circuit board inside your computer. It is the largest and most complicated piece of equipment within a computer case. It houses the central processing unit (CPU) the BIOS, the chipset, the system bus and main memory (RAM and ROM) Located on the motherboard are also expansion slots for adding devices and power connections. All of the peripheral devices on a computer are installed directly on the motherboard or are linked to it by a cable connection. The main purpose of the motherboard is to coordinate all the individual processes of each component so they all work properly together. The main system board is what processes input from a computer user and produces output which is seen on the computer screen.

AMD690GM-M2 MAINBOARD

CPU

• Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core/ Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 processor
• High-performance Hyper Transport CPU interface.
• Support transfer rate of 2000/1600/1200/800/400 mega-transfers per second.
CHIPSET

• AMD® 690G & AMD® SB600
• North Bridge: AMD® 690G
• South Bridge: AMD® SB600

MEMORY

• Dual-channel DDR memory architecture
• 2 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM socket support up to 16 GB
• DDR2 800/533/400 DDR2 SDRAM
EXPANSION SLOT

• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot
• 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
• 2 x PCI slots
STORAGE

Supported by SB600
• 2 x Ultra DMA133/100/66 devices
• 4 x Serial ATAII 3.0Gb/s devices
• RAID0, RAID1, RAID10 configuration
AUDIO

Realtek ALC883 support 8-ch HD Audio
LAN

Realtek RTL8110SC Giga LAN Controller
REAR PANEL I/O

1 x PS/2 keyboard & PS/2 mouse connectors
1 x VGA port
1 x RJ45 LAN connector
1 x DVI connector
4 x USB ports
1 x Audio port (Line-in,4x Line-out, Mic_in)
INTERNAL I/O CONNECTORS & HEADERS

1 x 24-pin ATX Power Supply connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V connector
1 x FDD connector
1 x IDE connector
4 x Serial ATA connectors
1 x SPDIF out header
3 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 6 USB ports
1 x Front panel switch/LED header
1 x Front panel audio header
1 x CD in header
1 x TV out header
1 x COM1 header
CPUFAN/SYSFAN connectors
FORM FACTOR

Micro-ATX Size, 244mm*244mm

Motherboards explained

The motherboard is the centre piece of you system it contains all the circuitry and components either directly on the board or via additional components which connect directly to it. The motherboard is also often referred to as the main board.

The motherboards many connectors and slots include a socket for the processor to be installed along with memory slots, a number of expansion slots, connectors to IDE/SATA devices and smaller connectors for USB, serial and printer connectors.
The motherboard plays an essential role in the following aspects of your computer system:

Organization of devices: Everything is eventually connected to the motherboard. The way that the motherboard is designed and laid out dictates how the entire computer is going to be organized.

Control of the devices: Built-in to the motherboard is the chipset and BIOS program, which between them control the majority of data flow throughout the different computer systems.

System Communication: Almost all communication between the PC and its peripherals, other PCs, and you, the user, goes through the motherboard.

Processor Support: The motherboard socket depicts which choice of processor you can use in your system.

Peripheral Support: The motherboards components determine what type of peripherals you can use in your PC. For example, you can not use AGP cards if you only have PCI slots.

System Performance: The motherboard is a major factor in your system's performance; it dictates which type of processors, memory, system buses, and hard disk interface speed your system can have via its connectors or BIOS settings. Often if you are upgrading after a number of years you will need to replace the board, CPU, and memory.

Upgradeability: As motherboards are developed newer processors may not be compatible with your hardware as limitations of the circuitry built-in to the board itself will not allow them to run. As a result you can look for any upgrades via your maker's website but may need to consider upgrading.

AMD 790GX Motherboard

A Chinese website is showing off photos of a motherboard based on the AMD 790GX chipset. This is an engineering sample of an Unika motherboard that, as you can see, still has no coolers installed. ccording to their local manufacturers, UNIKA Shuangmin was the first to make a ready product on this core logic.

AMD 's "Spider" platform, unveiled last year, combines the high-end 790FX chipset with the Phenom processor and 3000-series ATI graphics cards. It's targeted at mid-priced and enthusiast PCs, and while we aren't entirely thrilled with the Phenom processor so far, there's nothing inherently wrong with the chipset or motherboards.

AMD RS780G - integrated graphics redefined

Following on from the release of the Spider Platform in November 2007, which introduced the world to its 7-series chipsets - 770, 790, 790FX - AMD's attempts at an all-encompassing platform-centric philosophy were hamstrung by the apparent omission of a new chipset with integrated graphics.