DFI NB73-EA
(i845E) Mainboard
|
This is one of boards which are used for entry-level computers. Accessories:
- Package of a standard design;
- Documentation: user manual
in English;
- Cables: 1 ATA66/100/133 and FDD;
- SmartCard
and FlashCard Reader for Secure Digital and Memory Stick cards;
-
Bracket for the rear computer panel with S/PDIF-In/Out (Coaxial);
-
Bracket with a Game port;
- Bracket for the rear computer panel;
-
CD containing:
- drivers;
- system monitoring utility;
-
Boostek (for changing a FSB frequency from Windows);
- software for
the Smart/FlashCard Reader;
- DirectX 8.1.
The layout is given a very thorough thought - the only downside is that it
can be difficult to reach some jumpers when the board is already installed. Their
functions are shown on the textolite. The 3-channel switching voltage
regulator incorporates 15 capacitors of 2200 uF. The following controllers
are integrated: - audio controller based on the chipset's capabilities
and Avance Logic ALC650 AC'97 codec supporting 5.1 audio systems and having connectors
for front audio inputs and for SPDIF;
- network controller based
on the Realtek RTL8100BL chip and supporting 10BaseT/100BaseTX.
Thanks
to the Winbond W83637HF-AW Smart I/O controller the board supports (and have a
respective connector) the Secure Digital and Memory Stick Reader. +2.5
V supplied to the memory modules in the StandBy mode is indicated with the LED;
also, there is a POST controller including 4 LEDs. Non-unsoldered
connectors: none. The system monitoring is supported by the Winbond W83627HF-AW
chip. What is controlled: - processor voltage, AGP bus, memory,
+3.3, +5 and +12 V, VBAT and +5 V Standby;
- speed of 2 fans;
-
temperatures of the processor (a built-in sensor) and the board (a built-in sensor).
There
are 2 connectors for adjustable and 1 for unadjustable connection of fans. Brief
characteristics of the board: memory slots - 2 DDR SDRAM; expansion slots
- AGP/ 5 PCI/ CNR; I/O ports - 2 COM/ LPT/ 2 PS/2/ 6 USB 2.0; dimensions - 305x245
mm.
Adjustment
can be carried out with:
| jumpers and switches |
Jumper to clear up the CMOS |
|
| Jumper for starting up computer from a PS/2 keyboard |
|
| Switches for starting up the system from a USB keyboard |
|
| Jumper to set a FSB frequency |
Auto, 100 and 133 MHz |
| Jumper to set a mode of the 6th USB port |
Onboard/CNR |
| BIOS based on the Phoenix AwardBIOS 6.00PG |
Setup of memory timings |
+ |
CAS Latency, Active To Precharge Delay |
| Setup of memory frequency |
+ |
Auto, DDR200, DDR266 |
| Setup of AGP bus |
- |
|
| Setup of PCI bus |
- |
|
| Changeable scaler of AGP and PCI buses |
+ |
AGP(PCIx2) = Auto, 66, 75 and 88 MHz |
| Manual assignment of interrupts |
+ |
|
| Changeable FSB frequency |
+ |
100-200 MHz in 1MHz steps |
| Changeable CPU multiplier |
+ |
x8-x50 |
| Changeable core voltage |
+ |
1.5-1.85 V in 0.025V steps |
| Changeable memory voltage |
- |
|
| Changeable chipset voltage |
- |
|
| Changeable AGP bus voltage |
- |
|
We used the
BIOS of 20.09.2002 as the latest available version. The board looks well
thought-out and offers a decent set of functions for the value, though they are
much more scanty in comparison to other boards on this chipset. Test
results:
Write a comment below. No registration needed!
|
|
