VIA C3M266-L CLE266 Mainboard

VIA CLE266 chipset

The microATX boards are usually used in offices; as a rule, they have a minimal set of controllers and integrated video. The tested model can also be considered as such, though the new core changes the things a little.

Accessories:

Package: standard box of the catchy design;
Documentation: user manual in 10 languages;
Cables: 1 ATA66/100/133 and FDD;
Bracket with 2 USB and 2 FireWire ports;
CD containing:

drivers;
user guide in PDF;
VIA FliteDeck (for system monitoring, board overclocking and BIOS flashing from Windows).

The layout is standard for microATX solutions: assembling can be difficult because some components are placed too close to each other. It can be difficult to reach some jumpers when the board is already installed. Their functions are not shown on the textolite.

The 1-channel switching voltage regulator incorporates 2 capacitors of 1500 uF and 12 of 1000 uF.

The following controllers are integrated:

audio controller based on the chipset's capabilities and VIA VT1616 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.

Non-unsoldered connectors: FireWire controller and its connectors.

The system monitoring is supported by the VIA VT1211 chip. What is controlled:

processor voltage, +3.3, +5 and +12 V and +5 V Standby;
speed of 2 fans;
temperature of the processor (a built-in sensor).

There are 2 connectors for adjustable connection of fans.

Brief characteristics of the board: memory slots - 2 DDR SDRAM; expansion slots - 3 PCI/ CNR; I/O ports - 2 COM/ LPT/ 2 PS/2/ 4 USB 2.0; dimensions - 245x200 mm.

Adjustment can be carried out with:

jumpers and switches	Jumper to clear up the CMOS
jumpers and switches	Jumper to enable/disable the audio controller
BIOS based on the AwardBIOS 6.00PG version from Phoenix	Setup of memory timings	+	CAS Latency, Bank Interleave, Precharge to Active, Active to Precharge, Active to CMD, Command Rate, Burst Length
	Setup of memory frequency	+	Auto, 66, 100 and 133 MHz
	Setup of AGP bus	-
	Setup of PCI bus	-
	Changeable scaler of AGP and PCI buses	-
	Manual assignment of interrupts	-
	Changeable FSB frequency	+	66-166 MHz in 1MHz steps
	Changeable CPU multiplier	+	x3-x16
	Changeable core voltage	-
	Changeable memory voltage	+	2.5-2.8 V in 0.1V steps
	Changeable chipset voltage	-
	Changeable AGP bus voltage	-

We used the BIOS 1.03 as the latest available version.

The board doesn't have much to attract our attention; so, it's meant for entry-level computers and, probably, home "TV consoles".

Test results:

VIA C3 1 GHz "Nehemiah" - return of "the processor without performance"

Dmitry Mayorov (destrax@ixbt.com)