• i845PE chipset

Out of two Intel's solutions on the i845PE chipset this one looks more interesting though its functions are inferior to the grands in this sphere. We received the board in the OEM package. 

Accessories: 

• Documentation: concise user manual in English; 
• Cables: FDD, SATA, ATA66/100/133; 
• Stereo microphone; 








• Bracket for the rear computer panel; 
• 2 CDs containing: 
• drivers;
• user guide in PDF; 
• Intel Active Monitor (for system monitoring) 
• DirectX 8.1; 
• Adobe Acrobat Reader; 
• NTI CD-Maker 2000 Standard; 
• RealOne; 
• DFX for RealOne; 
• Macromedia Shockwave 8 Test; 
• Norton Internet Security 2002 with Antivirus; 
• Enigma Rising Tide game. 

The layout has typical drawbacks: audio-ins are in front of the PCI, it's difficult to handle the memory modules when a video card is installed and because of multiple cables around the memory. It's not difficult to reach the only jumper when the board is already installed. Its functions are shown on the textolite. 

The 4-channel switching voltage regulator incorporates 3 capacitors of 3300 uF, 4 of 1000 uF and several less capacious ones. 

The following controllers are integrated: 

• audio controller based on the chipset's capabilities and Analog Devices AD1980 AC'97 codec supporting 5.1 audio systems and having connectors for front audio inputs/outputs; 
• network controller based on the chipset's capabilities and supporting 10BaseT/100BaseTX; 
• SATA RAID controller based on the Silicon Image Sil3112ACT144 chip supporting RAID 0 and 1 on the SATA150 protocol. 

+5 V supplied in the StandBy mode is indicated with the LED. 

Non-unsoldered connectors: CNR slot, FireWire chip and its connectors. 

The system monitoring is supported by the SMSC LPC47M172-NR chip. What is controlled: 

• processor voltage, +3.3, +5 and +12 V; 
• 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; I/O ports - 1 COM/ LPT/ 2 PS/2/ 6 USB 2.0; dimensions - 305x220 mm. 

Adjustment can be carried out with:
 

We used the BIOS P06 as the latest available version. 

It's outstanding that the Intel's board officially allows overclocking the system! However, the overclocking settings are rather scanty. On the whole, this is a traditionally stable solution with some pleasant features and a low price, but without any peculiarities (though the high-quality sound section might be considered such). 

Test results: 

• Intel 845PE and VIA P4X400 Based Mainboards Roundup

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