• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Soltek?s SL-75FRN-L Golden Flame nForce2 Review!

Mem

Mem

Lifer
Over@[url="http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=solteknf2&page=1&bhcp=1"]GamePC[/url],this is the first Soltek nForce2 Review I`ve seen.

Interesting colour.

While we love to see board makers taking chances with their board designs, which is why we gave the Soltek Golden Flame board an entire lab report to itself. We hope Soltek continues to expand their board designs for the Golden Flame line, perhaps with new chipsets or additional onboard features for their nForce2 models
Click to expand...
 
I should point out this important quote from the review,

Since Soltek chose to utilize the cheaper MCP Southbridge compared to the MCP-T, Soltek SL-75FRN-L unfortunately does not feature the highly-touted nVidia Dolby Digital 5.1 ready APU1 audio processing unit, nor does it feature Firewire or nVidia's DualLAN technology.
Click to expand...

That might be a disappointment to some people.


 
Most people don't use the 5.1, firewire or the extra LAN so it still has a place if the price is right. Which it is.
You don't usually hear many complaints about Soltek boards for good reason. There aren't many complaints.

mac
 
I agree! Soltek make good boards in general,however I thought it was worth pointing out the main negatives 😉,for the price it`s still a good buy.

🙂
 
So this looks likes competition for The Epox 8RDA as it is lacking the 5.1/firewire feature set of the $120+ boards. The MSI has it all for not much more.

Oh, I see it does have LAN on-board.
 
Originally posted by: Tabb
I wish they added a comparason to the Epox 8RDA+ 🙁
Click to expand...


Yep....it's funny how they just forgot to test it against one of the most popular Nforce2 boards. 🙁


The PCB does look nice though..I love how you can't see the traces at all. 🙂

Edit:

I just noticed it has the 4 pin +12v connector near the normal ATX header....interesting....

 
I was just reading in a review that you are not able to adjust the multiplyer for the Soltek 75FRN so it will make it a bit less friendly for the overclocker out there. It does well for overclocking the fsb, but that's about it. I want to see this more for myself, cause it doesn't sound quite right..
 
I read over at ninjalane.com that the board had some sort of special demands for the power connector... I didn´t quite understand it but perhaps someone here could explain what it is all about? Do I neew to get a new PSU or something for this board?
 
Originally posted by: Mavrick007
I was just reading in a review that you are not able to adjust the multiplyer for the Soltek 75FRN so it will make it a bit less friendly for the overclocker out there. It does well for overclocking the fsb, but that's about it. I want to see this more for myself, cause it doesn't sound quite right..
Click to expand...

wow are you sure about this? This would definitely stop me from even considering this board if I couldn't adjust the multplier
 
Originally posted by: runnhagen
I read over at ninjalane.com that the board had some sort of special demands for the power connector... I didn´t quite understand it but perhaps someone here could explain what it is all about? Do I neew to get a new PSU or something for this board?
Click to expand...

This refers to the 4 pin connector next to the usual ATX power connector, it's part of the Pentium4 spec and is usually referred to as an ATX/12V connector. Most PSU's made since the P4 came out will have the extra connector. It's being adopted by AMD mobo's to be able to handle the higher power demands on the 12v rail of the highest speed athlons/bartons. The Abit and MSI nForce2 mobo's also require it.
 
hey guys,

dont forget about the FIC AU11 nforce2 motherboard. it is basically an identical brother of the Epox 8RDA+ mobo, except that it doesnt have the FF leds that the epox have. it also has firewire built into it, which is quite nice, and costs less than $100 shipped at mwave.

FIC AU11 mobo @ mwave
 
Originally posted by: m1ke101
Originally posted by: Mavrick007
I was just reading in a review that you are not able to adjust the multiplyer for the Soltek 75FRN so it will make it a bit less friendly for the overclocker out there. It does well for overclocking the fsb, but that's about it. I want to see this more for myself, cause it doesn't sound quite right..
Click to expand...

wow are you sure about this? This would definitely stop me from even considering this board if I couldn't adjust the multplier
Click to expand...

I don't know, it's a bit misleading cause I see this on one site:
"From the benchmarks above, we conclude that Soltek 75FRN-L's performance is very close to the big boys, e.g. Epox and Asus. This is quite an accomplishment for Soltek, considering the dismay performance of the 75FRV. The lacks of PCI lock and multiplier adjustment rule it out as an overclocker's board."
Click to expand...

and this on another site:
There is one last thing worth mentioning before we install this motherboard. Soltek uses a 100/133/166MHz FSB jumper. Don't panic, this does not hard set your FSB setting in the bios. Even with the jumper, you still have full control over the FSB and CPU multiplier in the bios.
Click to expand...

There is a nifty setting called "CPU Interface". This setting unlocks a Rev B CPU by using the "Aggressive" setting. Once you have set the CPU Interface to Aggressive, you have full access to Front Side Bus frequencies and CPU multiplier settings. This is an Overclockers dream come true! Just remember, this feature only works on Thoroughbred Rev B CPUs.
Click to expand...

So go figure. I believe that you are able to adjust the multiplyer, but only in the bios after it is unlocked on the Tbred b.
 
😉

I have been running the 75FRN-L for a couple of weeks. Have run the 8RDA+ since early Dec.

The 75FRN-L will run 200 FSB right out of the box. No mods no nothing.

The BIOS Version 1.3 gives multi. adjustments and FSB to 211. Actually these are 204-207-
211.

This Mboard is very stable and proves Soltek uses excellent quality control.

The 75FRN-L is fast and for the $$ I would reccomend it to anyone.

I do look for further BIOS upgrades to be coming.


Luck.

Pops
 
The only thing that I´m uncertain about is the integraded sound on the board.

Does it use the soundstorm chip like the Epox 8RDA+ and the Asus A7N8X?
 
GO Soltek! I have an SL-75DRV4 and could not be more satisfied. I'd buy them again in a second.
I really want to try this mobo.. hmm.. perhaps I should order..... 😀
 
Originally posted by: runnhagen
The only thing that I´m uncertain about is the integraded sound on the board.

Does it use the soundstorm chip like the Epox 8RDA+ and the Asus A7N8X?
Click to expand...
No SoundStorm on my FRN-L.
I'm having trouble installing the new 1.13 drivers. Any suggestions? I'm not using a floppy drive, just a cd/rw. I'll buy a floppy if necessary just to get the new BIOS revision! 🙂
Oh, XP 2100+ AIUHB @ 2.166GHz and steady as a rock! 😎
 
Has anyone bought a FRN-75 L? I cant get my FSB above 165 after that my PCI/AGP speeds screws up 🙁 Where is the PCI/AGP locking opition? I can up my multiplyer and voltages but not fsb
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top