• NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset

This model has the widest functionality and richest accessory pack as compared to the other boards of this line.

The layout has some drawbacks: the IDE RAID connectors are behind PCI slots and audio ones are in front of them. The connectors crowded around the memory slots make it difficult to reach them. It can be difficult to reach the jumper when the board is already installed. Its functions are indicated on the PCB. The 3-phase voltage regulator incorporates 6 capacitors of 3300 uF and 4 of 1500 uF. There are also voltage regulators of the AGP bus (1x1000 uF) and of the memory (5 of 1000 uF). 

There is no wasted space for components that didn't get included in the final design. The board measures 305x245 mm ("wide ATX", 9 screws fastens it, the edges are fixed). System monitoring is supported by Winbond W83627HF-AW chip (which also functions as LPC Super I/O). It controls: 

• processor, AGP bus voltages: +3.3, +-5 and +-12 V, VBAT and +5 V Standby
• rotation speed of 2 fans; 
• temperatures of the processor (socket's sensor) and the board (built-in sensor) 

Diagnostics

• Red LED indicated +5 V in Standby mode;
• Red LED located next to the first memory slot indicates +2.5 V on memory;
• 4 LEDs form a POST code indicator;
• Power and reset buttons.

Ports & connectors onboard

• CPU socket (Socket A/Socket 462);
• 3 slots for DDR SDRAM DIMM;
• AGP slot (not Pro, with a retention clip);
• 5 PCI slots (32bit, 33MHz);
• Power supply connectors: standard ATX and 4-pin one for 12 V;
• FDD;
• 4 IDE (Parallel ATA) - two on chipset and two from IDE RAID;
• Connector for a bracket with S/PDIF ports;
• Connector for a bracket with a Game port;
• Connector for a bracket with IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ports;
• Connector for FrontX panel (described below);
• Connector for audio-out from CD/DVD drive;
• 3 fan connectors (2 with rotation control, 1 without it).

Rear panel (left to right, in units)

• PS/2 ports for keyboard & mouse;
• 1 LPT and 2 COM ports;
• 2 USB (2.0) + RJ-45 (Ethernet);
• 2 USB (2.0) + RJ-45 (Ethernet) again;
• 3 audio connectors (Line In/Out and Microphone).

Accessories

• Package: a big bright box;
• Documentation: user manual in 5 languages, brief installation manual, IDE RAID description (in English);
• Cables: 2 ATA66/100/133 and FDD - shielded and covered with transparent light-green cambric;
• Serial ATA (with a power supply adapter);
• Bracket with SPDIF-In/Out connectors (Coaxial);
• Bracket with a Game port;
• Bracket with 2 IEEE1394 ports;
• FrontX 5" panel with Mic-In, Speaker-Out, IEEE1394 and 2 USB ports;
• Straps for PC transportation (PC-Transpo);
• Thermo grease;
• I/O Shield;
• Diskette with drivers for IDE RAID;
• 2 CDs with software:
• Drivers;
• user manual in PDF;
• Adobe Acrobat Reader;
• Award WinFlash 1.54;
• RadarSync;
• McAfee VirusScan Online;
• Winbond Hardware Doctor;
• Intervideo WinDVD;
• Intervideo WinRip.

Integrated controllers

• audio controller based on the MCP-T south bridge and Realtek ALC650 AC'97 codec; 5.1 audio system supported, front audio-outs and S/PDIF connector provided;
• 2 network controllers, one based on the chipset, the other on the Realtek RTL8101L chip; both support 10BaseT/100BaseTX;
• IDE RAID on the Highpoint HPT372N, supports RAID 0, 1, 0+1 & 1.5 on the ATA133 protocol;
• IDE-SATA bridge on the Marvel 88i8030-TBC chip.

Settings

We used the BIOS of 18.07.03 as the latest available version. 

Test results: 

6 NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 Mainboards

Article navigation: