• i845E chipset

This is the smallest board on this chipset, but it also provides the most scanty set of features. 

Accessories:

• Package of a standard design; 
• Documentation: user manual in English; 
• Cables: 1 ATA66/100/133 and FDD; 
• Bracket with a Bass/Center connector; 
• CD containing: 
• drivers; 
• user guide in PDF; 
• Adobe Acrobat Reader; 
• DirectX 8.1. 

No surprise that the layout is so convenient even though the board is narrower than usual - controllers and their connectors are a rare thing here. It's not difficult to reach jumpers when the board is already installed. Their functions are shown on the textolite.  

The 3-channel switching voltage regulator incorporates 11 capacitors of 3300 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/outputs and for SPDIF; 

Non-unsoldered connectors: switches for setting a FSB frequencies. 

The system monitoring is supported by the ITE IT8712F-A chip. What is controlled: 

• processor voltage, memory, 1.8, +3.3, +5 and +-12 V, VBAT and +5 V Standby
• speed of 3 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 - 2 COM/ LPT/ 2 PS/2/ 6 USB 2.0; dimensions - 305x190 mm. 

Adjustment can be carried out with: 
 

We used the BIOS ab45s012 as the latest available version. 

This is a good choice for a relatively cheap upgrade or assembling an entry-level computer. At the same time, a user gets nothing except the specified features, i.e. no real overclocking. 

Test results: 

6 Intel 845E Mainboards Roundup

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