iXBT Labs :: Computer Hardware In Detail

Platform

Video

Multimedia

Mobile

Other


DFI NB76-EA (i845G) Mainboard


 Forum


 Comment

Unlike all other boards on this chipset this one comes with an ADD card. We have tested a preproduction sample.

Accessories:

  • Package: a standard design;
  • Documentation: a user manual in English;
  • Cables: 1 ATA66/100/133, and 1 FDD;
  • Bracket with COM and Game ports;
  • ADD card with DVI, Composite and S-Video TV-Out;
  • Reader for Smart and Secure Digital/Memory Stick cards;
  • CD with software including:
    • drivers;
    • system monitoring utility;
    • Boostek (changes FSB frequency from Windows);
    • Software for the smart-card reader;
    • DirectX 8.1.

The layout is generally good: only audio-ins are located between the PCI slots. 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 9 capacitors of 2200 uF and several less capacious ones.

The following controllers are integrated:

  • audio controller based on the Avance Logic ALC650 AC'97 codec with connectors for front audio-outs and SPDIF;
  • network controller based on the Realtek RTL8100BL chip supporting 10BaseT/ 100BaseTX.

Thanks to the Winbond W83L518D I/O controller the board supports (and has connectors for) readers of smart and SD/MS cards.

Non-unsoldered connectors: none.

The system monitoring is supported by the Winbond W83627HF-AW chip. What is controlled:

  • processor voltage (+1.5, +3.3, +5 and +/-12 V), VBAT and +5V 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 connection of fans and 1 for non-adjustable connection.

Brief characteristics of the board: memory slots - 2 DDR SDRAM; expansion slots - AGP/ 6 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 to choose a FSB frequency 100/133 MHz
Jumper to start up computer with a PS/2 keyboard
Jumper to turn on computer with a USB keyboard
Jumper to choose Standby voltage on the PCI slots 3.3V or for expansion cards which do not comply with the PCI 2.2 standard
Jumper to choose a mode of the 6th USB port USB on CNR/ USB onboard
BIOS based on the 6.00PG version from Phoenix-Award Setup of memory timings + CAS Latency, Active to Precharge Delay, RAS to CAS Delay, RAS Precharge
Setup of memory frequency + Auto, DDR200, DDR266 è DDR333 (DDR333 only at FSB=133 MHz set with the jumper)
Setup of AGP bus +
Setup of PCI bus -
Changeable scaler of AGP and PCI buses -
Manual assignment of interrupts +
Changeable FSB frequency + 100-200 MHz in 1 MHz steps
Changeable CPU multiplier + x8-x50
Changeable core voltage + 1.1-1.85V in 0.025V steps
Changeable memory voltage -
Changeable chipset voltage -
Changeable AGP bus voltage -

We used the latest available version of the BIOS of 17/05/2002.

The board will be primarily interesting for home users who do not play much, - it allows creating a real media combo device with a great number of functions, but it implies that a user will deal exactly with the ADD card supplied, not with a game video accelerator.

Test results:



  Most Popular Reviews More   RSS  
November 24, 2008 · Processors: Intel

Intel Pentium E5200 Processor

January 29, 2007 · Motherboards

ECS GeForce7050M-M Motherboard

November 18, 2008 · Processors: Intel

Intel Wolfdale vs. AMD Agena

January 17, 2008 · System Memory

DDR2-800 vs. DDR3-1333

March 10, 2008 · Video cards: ATI GPUs

Four Overclocked RADEON HD 3650/3850/3870 Graphics Cards

  Latest Reviews More   RSS  
December 31, 2008 · Motherboards

Mid-End Motherboard Roundup

December 29, 2008 · Motherboards

Foxconn A7VA Motherboard

December 23, 2008 · Processors: Intel

'New Old' Core i7 Architecture

December 18, 2008 · Motherboards

ASUS P5Q Deluxe Motherboard

December 16, 2008 · Motherboards

Foxconn A79A-S Motherboard

  Latest News More   RSS  
December 31, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 29, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 23, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 18, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 16, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 15, 2008

Daily Mailbox

December 10, 2008

Daily Mailbox

  Sponsored Links Get listed  
 

Platform  ·  Video  ·  Multimedia  ·  Mobile  ·  Other  ·  Compare Prices  ||  Feedback  ·  Advertise at iXBT Labs  ·  About us  ·  Affiliates  ·  Forum


32

Copyright © Byrds Research & Publishing, Ltd., 1997—2008. All rights reserved.