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We've been lucky enough to be able to check out two
Intel based boards, one on the 845 chipset and the other a SiS 648 board
and both performed very well. But us folks at
NextGen aren't just Intel marks ... oh no. We are very much fans of the
AMD platform, and we're very pleased to take a look at this nForce2 400
chipset from NVIDIA which offers the latest and greatest in motherboard
technologies.
The GA-7N400 Pro is the platform for latest AMD Athlon
XP 400MHz FSB processor. Powered by the NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 platform
processors, this platform delivers new levels of performance and functionality.
The nForce2 platform processors not only boast the new generation architecture
consisting of dual channel DDR controller and AGP8X graphics interface,
but also integrates the innovative Dynamic adaptive speculative pre-processor
(DASP) and Hyper-Transport Technology to boost the overall system performance.
The nForce2 media and communications processor-turbo (MCP-T) provides
full communication suite of Ethernet LAN connection, IEEE 1394, and USB2.0
interface for full range of connectivity. The Dolby Digital 3D (AC-3)
audio is also furnished for a true cinematic experience. In addition,
Serial ATA and IDE RAID provide superior input/output performance and
data protection to the system. So lets check this sucka' out!
the bundle
There's no doubt that GigaByte is one of the leaders
in the industry when it comes to including good things with motherboards.
Beyond the high quality cables and attachments and lovely sticker, there's
some real tools there that can be of major use. First I have to point
out that they've included Norton Security 2003 (other mobos they've released
have come out with the 2002 edition) - which is something that retailed
for $70 in stores (includes personal firewall and anti-virus). Also included
is their EasyTune overclocking utility - and the BIOS built in to the
motherboard is primed for overclocking.
Let's talk about some of the technologies that are featured
on this motherboard...
Support AMD Athlon XP 400MHz FSB processor
Powered by nForce2 platform processors, this platform supports the latest
AMD Athlon XP processor to deliver higher levels of performance and productivity.
Dual Channel DDR400 memory architecture support
With the Dual Channel DDR400 memory architecture, this platform delivers
high capacity of 3GB memory and high bandwidth up to 6.4GB/s to ensure
greatest memory performance.
IEEE1394 FireWire
The IEEE1394 interface enhances PC connectivity with consumer electronics
audio/video (A/V) appliances, and storage peripherals
Superb bandwidth AGP 8X graphics interface
Featuring AGP 8x (AGP 3.0) the new generation VGA interface specification,
this platform delivers enhanced graphics performance with high bandwidth
up to 2.12GB/s. Allowing users to have a more realistic graphics experiences
while gaming or movie watching.
Serial ATA interface
Serial ATA is the revolutionary ATA interface that provides scalable performance
for IDE device. With up to 150MB/s data transfer rate, Serial ATA is faster
than current Parallel ATA and delivers superior input/output performance.
GigaRAID IDE RAID Controller
Supporting RAID (0, 1, 0+1), JBOD function and ATA133 interface, GigaRAID
Controller delivers completely solution for storage interface to increase
fault tolerance, improve data access performance and provides additional
interface for more IDE devices.
6-Channel & Dolby Digital Audio technology
Through the NVIDIA Audio Processing Unit (APU) and SoundStorm technology,
user can experience the powerful 6-channel surround sound with digital
cinema clarity during gaming or movie watching.
GIGABYTE Patent DualBIOS™
DualBIOS™ prevents BIOS from virus attacks to provide a double security
thus assuring the PC stability.
The facts
Processor
Socket A for AMD AthlonXP / Athlon / Duron processor
Chipset
NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 System Platform Processor (SPP)
Media and Communications Processor - Turbo (MCP-T)
Super I/O: ITE IT8712F chip
Silicon Image sil3112A controller
GigaRAID ATA 133 RAID controller
Realtek 8201 Ethernet Controller
Realtek ALC650 Audio AC'97 Codec
2 x 4M bit flash ROM
Front Side Bus
400/333/266 MHz FSB
Memory
Type:Dual Channel DDR400/ 333/ 266- 184pin
Max capacity: Up to 3GB by 4 DIMM slots
Internal I/O Connectors
2 x Serial ATA connector
4 x UDMA ATA 133/100/66 Bus Master IDE connectors
1 x FDD connector
1 x USB 2.0/1.1 connector
2 x IEEE 1394 connectors ( supports 3 ports)
S/P DIF input/output pin header
3 x cooling fan pin headers
WOL pin header
CD/AUX in
1 x Game/Midi connector
Expansion Slots
1 x AGP slot (8x/4x-AGP 3.0 compliant), supports 1.5v display card only.
5 x PCI slots (PCI 2.2 compliant)
Rear Panel I/O
PS/2 Keyboard / Mouse
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ45 ports
2 x COM ports
1 x LPT
Audio (1 x Line-in / 1 x Line-out / 1 x Mic) connector
CPU/AGP/DIMM setting
CPU FSB / Multiplier / Vcore Voltage adjustable via BIOS
AGP Voltage / Clock adjustable via BIOS
DIMM Voltage / Clock adjustable via BIOS
Form Factor
ATX form factor
30.5 x 24.4 cm
H/W Monitoring
System health status auto-detect and report by BIOS
Hardware detecting and reporting for case open, power-in voltage,CPU voltage,
and fan speed
BIOS
4M bit flash ROM, enhanced ACPI feature for PC98/Win98/Win2000/Me/ CE/XP
compliance, Green, PnP, DMI, INT13 (>8.4GB) and Anti-Virus functions
IDE#1~#4, SCSI, LS120, ZIP and CD-ROM bootable
Other Features
EasyTune™4 (support the function of hardware monitoring only)
Suspend to RAM (STR)
Supports USB KB / MS wake up from S3
Bundle Software
Norton Internet Security
Norton Anti-Virus™
Norton™ Personal Firewall
Norton™ Privacy Control
Norton™ Parental Control
Norton™ Spam Alert
EasyTune™ 4, @BIOS™, Q-Flash™, GMC™
GIGABYTE Windows Utility Manager
Adobe Acrobat Reader
performance tests
PCMark2002 is a multipurpose benchmark,
suited for benchmarking all kinds of PCs, from laptops to workstations,
as well as across multiple Windows operating systems. PCMark2002 Pro consists
of a series of tests that represent common tasks in home and office programs.
PCMark2002 also covers many additional areas outside the scope of other
Futuremark benchmarks.
Our Test system:: AMD XP 1800+ 1.53GHzChip, 512MB RAM 333MHz, 60GB
7200RPM Hard Drive, XFX
GeForce4 Ti4600 Card
The Results received from the tests scores:
CPU Score :: 4668
Memory Score :: 3775
HDD Score :: 828
SiSoftware Sandra is an information & diagnostic
utility. It works along the lines of other Windows utilities, however
it tries to go beyond them and show you more of what's really going on.
Giving the user the ability to draw comparisons at both a high and low-level.
You can get information about the CPU, chipset, video adapter, ports,
printers, sound card, memory, network, Windows internals, AGP, ODBC Connections,
USB2, 1394/Firewire, etc.
We used this utility to test the CPU Arithmatic, the Memory
Bandwidth, and CPU Multi-Media. The results are (click to enlarge) :
Overall the motherboard performs very well in the performance
tests, SiSoft Sandra and PCMark2002. Considering the performance benchmark
scores, and the fact that this board has just about everything you can
imagine on-board already, it's quite a performer.
Graphics junkies are well aware of benchmarking utilities
3DMark03 and 3D Mark 2001. These graphic-intensive benchmarking
utilities are great for determining how well you system will perform during
gaming-environment times...
installation
I've been installing motherboards for almost 10 years, going
back to the first motherboard I ever mounted in a case - a 486 DX2/66
system. Ahh the good old days ;) Since then installing a motherboard often
involved a shot of whiskey, loads of patience, a large vulgar vocabulary,
and the troubleshooting genius of MacGyver himself. Fortunately motherboards
made these days are a whole lot easier to install - but I have to say
that the GigaByte GA-7N400 Pro was the best installation I've ever had.
It's also the first motherboard I've ever mounted and installed to work
absolutely perfectly the very first time I booted it up. Usually
there's some hang up , some boot problem, some issue with the reset button
plug not being in the mobo just right ... you name it there's usually
ONE thing I did wrong. But not this time - the color coded motherboard
makes it idiot (reviewer?) proof to screw up the installation. Top marks
for ease of installation here - both hardware wise (putting things in)
and software wise (installing all the necessary drivers in Windows XP).
Value, price point
I've seen motherboards go for $180 that offer less than
this one did. You get everything you could possibly want. USB
2.0? Sure. How about IEEE 1392 FireWire? Done! What about on-board 6-channel
audio AND on-board LAN? You got it. What about the latest in technologies
like Serial ATA, ATA133 RAID, and Dual Channel DDR support? It's in there.
You're getting the point right about now ... this is easily
one of the best motherboards I've ever seen much less had the
pleasure of reviewing. It has anything you'd really want on-board already,
so the price of $119 is really justified - it's a tremendous value to
consumers. If you consider the price of a controller card that supports
Serial ATA, or what a USB 2.0/FireWire combo device might cost ... you
can see why $119 is quite a value. For you tech department people, what
could be easier than have everything on-board? It's less for your clients
to screw up!
usefulness and longevity
I love AMD systems, and I love Intel systems. Can't we all
just get along? I can make them get along ... and this system is just
smooth as silk. If you're in the market for a new AMD board and don't
want to have to upgrade 6 months from now because you DIDN'T buy a board
that supports AGP8X or Serial ATA or any of the other dozens of things
this board can do, then just pony up the $119 and buy this board. Overclockers
should have a field day with this sucker ... there's all the tweaks in
the BIOS and the EasyTune4 software to overclock to your heart's desire.
If you're really into gaming or visual intensive applications, the nForce2
boards by NVIDIA are ones you should take a look at immediately. There's
no doubt that because this motherboard supports the latest in processors
and what promises to be the future of RAM, that there's no reason this
board can last you a long time. Factor in the great brand name of quality
that GigaByte brings to the table and you've got yourself a fantastic
board.
final thoughts
I wish all products on the market delivered like GigaByte's
GA-7N400Pro does. It packs a mighty punch with everything you could possibly
want on a motherboard at a price we all can stomach. The included Norton
2003 software is a fantastic value-add that consumers everywhere can benefit
from.
The ease of installation really set off in motion what was
to be me being impressed like I've never been with a motherboard. This
is a quality board with a great design intended for power users to be
able to have their heart's delight satisfied in the ways of new nForce2
technologies, as well as novice upgraders being able to install the thing
without much trouble (in my case none).
The nForce2 boards are supposed to be the best thing since
sliced bread when it comes to AMD systems, and GigaByte did everything
in their power to make that claim true. This is a strong performing product
whose value is incredible at the retail price point of $119. There's no
doubt that this is the "latest and greatest in cool" in motherboard
technologies that serves as a useful upgrade device for your computer
systems. The GA-7N400P board is a product that should last you a long
time in the great scheme of your computer's life. Undoubtedly this is
one of the finer products in the Computer Upgrade arena that'd we've ever
reviewed.
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10 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
98%
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10 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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9.8 /
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