AnandTech's ASUS A7V8X (KT400) Review...

[First]

Yes, we'll be doing a nice, long and thorough review of the KT400-based ASUS A7V8X motherboard very soon (i.e. matter of days). Therefore, quickly list everything you'd like to see mentioned in this review. Also, if you have any suggestions for my reviews, just comment on them in this thread. Here's my latest review.

Thanks.

 

[Insane3D]

Looking forward to Evan. I would also like to say it's nice to see you posting here in the motherboards forum and helping out some fellow AT'ers.


Just curious, do you have any reviews planned of the 8K9A series of KT400 powered motherboards from Epox? I would be very interested to see that review.

Also, when can we expect the KT400 boards to hit the retail channel here in the states?

 

[mechBgon]

Evan, I'd like to see a true analysis of whether it in fact allows the end user to see the CPU diode temperature. The A7V333 does not. It does watch the CPU diode reading, but the reading never makes it past the C.O.P. ASIC. The end user gets estimated readings from a small thermistor soldered to the surface of the motherboard, and that is what you see in Asus Probe and in the BIOS. :|

For my testing methodology, I basically took an ice pack wrapped in a cloth and held it to the underside of the motherboard while watching the BIOS and Asus Probe readings. The temperatured dropped instantly and very rapidly in response to the cooling of the motherboard itself, showing that the BIOS reading and Asus Probe reading are in fact coming from a motherboard-mounted thermistor. By contrast, the reading rises and drops over a period of about two minutes when load is applied and removed on the CPU itself, and goes up and down only a little (about 4-6C). At this time, the only consumer boards actually reporting CPU-diode readings to the user are the EPoXes and the rev. 2 Gigabyte 7VRXes.

Another trait of the A7V333 is its profound number of jumpers. You might comment on whether the A7V8X carries on this trend, or integrates more of them into the BIOS. For instance, enabling or disabling the onboard USB 2.0, FireWire and RAID controller on an A7V333-RAID is done by jumper, requiring the user to open the case. Asus seems to take devilish delight in putting some of the jumpers in crazy spots too. Hopefully the A7V8X has more of them in BIOS.

Another jumper-related issue is the DIMM voltage. The A7V333's have some undocumented DIMM-voltage jumpers by the rear end of the AGP slot, and by default they are overvoltage. Hmmm! Does the A7V8X do likewise? Enquiring minds want to know!

If you look at the AthlonXP 2600+ review at Ace's Hardware, you find that the AXP didn't fare well in SPECViewPerf: link I'd be curious to see whether the whiz-bang AGP 8X makes any difference here, if you guys can manage that.

 

[First]

Insane3D, we'll review most any KT400 board, Epox included. It all depends on whether Epox is finished with the design and when they can ship out samples to us.

You should be able to buy some KT400 boards in the U.S. within the next 2 weeks, 1 month at the most.

mechBgon, those are some very interesting questions that I'll try to get included in the review. I'll probably have a little blurb on the thermal readings of the A7V8X. I'll mention the jumper situation with this board too.

 

[Soulkeeper]

wonder if it lets you adjust the mem voltage
the a7v333 didn't
wonder if it will work with all brands of memory ie: samsung, muskin, corsair, kingmax, etc (at ddr400 speed, maybe even fastest timings) dunno if that will be an issue
overclocking features interest me but as mechBgon said the thermal diode is a hot point
a quick description of the bios and what it lets you do is always good (doesn't need to be too in debt tho just wondering about the fsb/mem features)
ohhh and what pci dividers it has that is really important wanna see if you can run the pci bus in spec with a 200fsb
sounds like a good board the a7v333 was pretty good this one should be better i would think
and also it would be nice to see if big heatsinks fit on it well (ie: alpha or swiftech) without hitting capacitors or dimm slots
hmmm it has sata right ? wonder if that offers any performance benefit think tomshardware showed there being little to none

welp have fun
--Soul_keeper

 

[Vette73]

Don't forget the PCI Divider, and compare it to a KT333 board and see if the AGP 8 or new North/South Bridge helps any.

Just about forgot, check to see what the bandwidth is for a Raid card, PCI bu?. Like a Highpoint or so?

And why can't a AMD chipset like the intel and SiS chipset have a Agp/Pci lock to it?

 

[t0mmyb0y]

I am waiting with much anticipation Evan...

WHERE IS IT!!!???

OK sorry...I'm better now.

 

[Soulkeeper]

he's prob putting lotsa good time and effort in it to make us all druel
mmmmm
ahhhh
ooooooo
......will be our replys

 

[First]

Originally posted by: t0mmyb0y
I am waiting with much anticipation Evan...

WHERE IS IT!!!???

OK sorry...I'm better now.

Hehe, it's VERY close.

 

[NicColt]

I just read it and it's nice but ..... let's face it without a 1/6 divider it's basically an A7V333. I know Asus is working on a 1/6 bios divider but I bet you anything you won't see it until the jdec approves the ddr400. Releasing the KT400 wihtout the 1/6 diver is like chevrolet making a 2003 corvette that's not convertible, I'd still prefer the 2002 corvette convertible.