QDI PlatiniX 8/333 i845GE Based Mainboard

i845GE chipset

Like most other companies this one doesn't make its i845GE based solution heavier by adding additional controllers and produces a standard office product.

Accessories:

Package of the standard design;
Documentation: user manual in English;
Cables: FDD, ATA66/100/133, ATA33;
Bracket with a COM port;
Bracket with S/PDIF-Out connector (Coaxial);
Bracket for the rear computer panel;
CD containing:

drivers;
e-version of user guide;
DirectX 8.1;
Adobe Acrobat Reader;
Norton Antivirus 2002;
Q-Flash (for changing BIOS version from Windows);
CBLogo (for changing the boot logo in BIOS);
QDI StepEasy 2.0 (for overclocking processor and monitoring from Windows).

The minimal set of components make it very convenient to use this board. But still, the weak points are only audio-ins located in front of the PCI and memory modules locked with an inserted video card. 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 12 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 SPDIF connector.

The board 5 green LEDs monitoring the POST procedure.

Non-unsoldered connectors: ISA skit with an LPC controller, network controller and RJ45 connector.

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

processor voltage, +3.3, +5 and +-12 V;
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/ 6 PCI; I/O ports - 2 COM/ LPT/ 2 PS/2/ 6 USB 2.0; dimensions - 305x235 mm.

Settings:

with jumpers and switches	Jumper to clear up the CMOS
	2 jumpers for starting up computer from a USB keyboard
	2 jumpers to set a FSB frequency		Auto, 66, 100, 133 and 200 MHz
	Jumper for BIOS write protection
BIOS based on the AwardBIOS 6.00PG version from Phoenix	Setup of memory timings	+	CAS Latency, Active to Precharge Delay, RAS to CAS Delay, RAS Precharge
	Setup of memory frequency	+	Auto, DDR200, DDR266, DDR333
	Setup of AGP bus	-
	Setup of PCI bus	-
	Changeable scaler of AGP and PCI buses	-
	Manual assignment of interrupts	-
	Changeable FSB frequency	+	100, 105, 108, 114, 120, 123, 126, 133, 136, 140, 144, 148, 152, 160, 166 MHz
	Changeable CPU multiplier	+	x8-x50
	Changeable core voltage	+	from -0.075 to+0.3 V in 0.025V steps
	Changeable memory voltage	+	Normal, +10%
	Changeable chipset voltage
	Changeable AGP bus voltage	+	Normal, +10%

We used the BIOS V2.3SLCP as the latest available version.

This is not an outstanding model, it has a modest accessory pack and rudimentary overclockability, but its quality is very high and the price is low.

Test results:

6 Intel 845GE Based Mainboards

Dmitry Mayorov (destrax@ixbt.com)

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