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Biostar, DFI, Epox Try to Big Up Socket 775 Mobos with Added Features
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1. Introduction

New Boards For Socket 775: Biostar, DFI, Epox


Intel's self-purported "digital revolution" is in full swing. And while there are no performance improvements worth writing home about, the 915/Grantsdale and 925X/Alderwood platforms still offer a number of features that make the Socket 775 architecture at least interesting. On top of that, the Socket 775 doesn't require expensive DDR2 memory. These positives have not gone unnoticed by the mobo makers, a number of which introduced new boards based on this platform during the normally quiet summer months.

Among those in the latest Socket 775 crop, Biostar sent us a sample of its feature-laden P4TAW Extreme (925X) mobo with its generous interface options. The new LANParty boards from DFI offer a choice of the 915P or 925X chipsets, although only the 925X offers the wide range of features we have now come to expect. Epox, with its 915G-based EP - 5EBA model, also has possibilities.

To answer the steady stream of readers' questions about the 925XE chipset, Intel intends to release this device within the next few weeks to ramp the system clock up from 200 MHz to 266 MHz . Compatible processors are expected to appear in the form of a new P4 series with 2 MB of L2 cache and 700 model numbers. An Extreme Edition is also in the works. Although the XE chipset and matching processor may be the best choice from a performance point of view, it will be an expensive option - too expensive for many users during the first few months following its release. A similar situation exists with the small number of systems based on AMD's Socket 939.

2. Biostar P4TAW Extreme

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You cannot fail to be impressed by the outstanding specification level of Biostar's P4TAW Extreme as soon you take it out of the box. It sports eight-channel high definition audio, Intel's well-equipped ICH6WR Southbridge with Matrix RAID and a total of four SATA ports, a second RAID chip with two UltraATA/133 channels, FireWire ports, eight USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet.

However, the most remarkable feature of this board, which Biostar calls U20, is located in the final expansion slot, which is fitted with a SOHO router card containing a Realtek network chip and a total of four (!) network ports. Biostar has earmarked three of these for LAN connections, and the fourth as WAN interface for Internet connectivity. But we were still very confused to discover that the back panel did not contain a network port for the actual network chip (a 5751 from Broadcom), although thanks to the SOHO router card, this should not be a problem in practice.

Biostar is pushing the envelope with the inclusion of these options, which have hitherto been unavailable on consumer-category motherboards. The slight increase in cost for the versatile network interfaces enables you to build a PC based on the P4TAW for use as a router, firewall and a DMZ machine.

As usual with 775 boards, the ATX12V plug needs a power supply compliant with the 2.0 specification. Although almost all motherboards will happily operate with a standard ATX power supply, these have a locating lug on the socket that is too small to securely retain the 2.0 spec. power supply plug.

Biostar uses lightweight heatsinks to cool both chipset components; we are delighted to note that the manufacturer has decided against the use of fans. The accessory package is not lavish, but includes everything you need. Only four of the eight USB ports can be used, since no adapter is supplied.

3. Biostar P4TAW Extreme, Continued

4. DFI LANParty Series

With its LANParty series, Taiwanese manufacturer DFI has already made a name for itself as a maker of motherboards geared for gamers. Recently-released components, numerous I/O options and, of course, overclocking capabilities and high performance come with this territory.

Case modders will also like the LANParty, as DFI has chosen to construct various components such as the PCI, AGP and memory slots from UV reactive plastic. What is more, the dark color of the board exudes quality.

Now that the Intel 915 and 925 chipsets have been available for about two months, it is time to look at some of the products incorporating these components. We checked out the DFI LANParty 925X-T2 and LANParty UT 915P-T12 boards. The latter supports DDR2 as well as conventional DDR memory, although it does not come with as generous an accessories package as the 925X board that supports DDR2 only.

LANParty UT 915P-T12

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BIOS Version: 915LD818

Although the UT 915P-T12 is equipped with the 915P chipset, it is no less feature-laden than its big brother, the 925X-T2. However, you do not get as many extras, as you will read later.

5. LANParty 925X-T2

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BIOS Version: 925LD818

The specification level is exactly the same as the 915P-T12. Only the memory slots are different, since the 925X version is restricted solely to DDR2. The more comprehensive accessories package is interesting: as well as the PC Transpo carrying system, you get a front panel that goes by the name of FrontX, a package of UV reactive cable ties and heatshrink tubing.

6. Common Components

The photo above shows the two Marvell network controllers: one for PCI Express, the second for PCI - both gigabit-capable.

The LANParty 925X-T2 and LANParty UT 915P-T12 are identical for the most part - at least in terms of board components. The main differences are in the accessories bundle and memory support. First, an overview of what they have in common: three PCI slots, two PCI Express slots, x 16 PCI Express for the graphics card, two network chips for Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire controller, high definition audio and a total of five fan connectors.

We found the locks on the x16 PCI Express slots difficult to reach with our GeForce 6800 GT reference card installed, making removal of the graphics card extremely awkward. We would much prefer to see a different method of retaining the card.

Anyone still using a conventional ATX power supply with its 20 pin plug should check the seating of the plug after moving his PC, as the retaining lug is designed for the 24 pin EATX plug and is therefore too small.

An unusual feature of both boards is the separate plug-in module containing the eight-channel high definition audio outputs. The PHY chip is also located in the module. DFI has fitted six USB 2.0 ports on the back panel, which should take care of most connection requirements for the time being. Two additional ports are available if required.

The 900 chipsets from Intel provide only a single UltraATA/100 channel, which will not be enough for those of us with several hard drives. For this reason, DFI includes an SATA to UltraATA adapter - a sensible move, especially for anyone who wants to connect the hard drive and DVD drive to different channels.

7. Common Components, Continued

The back panel looks very sparse without the sound module.

Both boards come with the same software bundle: drivers, Winflash for Windows BIOS update software and Radarsync, a utility feature that notifies you whenever new software versions become available. We discovered that the system information display did not work properly. It reported a "floating point division by zero," with all subsequent fields showing empty. Interestingly, this fault did not occur when we tried another PC.

Since the fall of 2003, DFI has been supplying its CMOS Reloaded feature, which allows you to store different BIOS configuration settings in a separate area of flash memory for retrieval at any time. This does away with the need to reconfigure or write down the maximum overclocking settings every time you wish to use them.

The sound module includes the PHY chip and the output sockets.

Things look more or less normal when the sound module is plugged in.

8. Epox EP-5EGA+

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Epox has adopted the user-friendly approach of fitting the 5EGA+ with slots for DDR1 memory only. We therefore only used DDR400 modules in our tests, which, as you can see from the benchmark results, did not detract from its performance. The board uses the Intel 915G chipset with the latest integrated graphics component. Thus, those who buy this board can use the built-in graphics option until fast PCI Express cards become available at an acceptable price.

The release lever for the graphics card is difficult to reach, as access is impeded by the Northbridge cooler and two coils. Removing the graphics card is awkward without some form of pointed tool (we used a ballpoint pen) - particularly if the board has been installed in a compact case.

Epox also takes users with older power supplies into account. The locating lug is wide enough to retain plugs of older specifications.

Epox has focused closely on the needs of upgraders both in its choice of the 915G and DDR1 memory and in its choice of the IDE RAID controller from ITE. The chipset itself only provides for a single ATA/100 channel with a maximum of two drives, but this additional component allows you to connect four more. Further, there are four PCI slots, which is more than the other boards in this test.

The Port 80 diagnostic module is a handy tool, which displays information about the condition of the system at boot-up using numbered codes. This generally makes it quick and easy to locate a defective component.

9. Epox EP-5EGA+, Continued

10. Test Setup
System Components
Processor Intel Pentium 4 Processor 560, 3.6 GHz (FSB800)
1024 kB L2 Cache, Prescott Core, Socket 775
RAM 2x 512 MB @ DDR2-533
Corsair TWIN2X1024-5400C4PRO
2x 512 MB DDR400
Crucial Ballistix BL6464Z402
System Hard Drive Western Digital WD740 Raptor
74 GB, 10000 rpm, 8 MB Cache, Serial ATA
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6 Series
GPU : GeForce 6800 GT
Memory : 256 MB GDDR3-SDRAM
Network Interface 3COM 3C905TX-B, PCI, 100 MBit/s
Optical Drive MSI MS-8216 16x DVD
Drivers & Software
Motherboard/Chipset Intel Chipset Installation Utility 6.0.1.1002
Graphics Driver NVIDIA Detonator 61.77
Operating System Windows XP Professional 5.10.2600
Service Pack 1
DirectX 9.0b

Benchmark Results

11. Benchmark Results, Continued

12. Benchmark Results, Continued

13. Benchmark Results, Continued

14. Benchmark Results, Continued

15. Conclusion

We are happy to report that we did not uncover any serious weaknesses in our tests. A decision to purchase and use any of these four boards is therefore likely to be unproblematic. Those looking for the highest performance with maximum features should opt for the Asus P5AD2, which we chose as our reference from the benchmark results. Unfortunately, it is also extremely expensive.

Incidentally, receiving BIOS updates that can completely change performance relationships at a stroke is an all too common occurrence for us. For this reason, we continue to recommend that you do not rely too greatly on the benchmark results but concentrate rather on the specifications and how they meet your particular needs.

You will quickly realize that manufacturers often try to create a niche market for each of their new products by designing these to appeal to specific customer groups.

For example, Biostar has designed its board for the advanced user and offers a total of four Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as numerous connection options - a specification that will be at home with most network scenarios.

DFI has designed its product to appeal to gamers, overclockers and case modders. No wonder then, that the 925X-T2 is easily the "coolest" board in this review. Its range of accessories met with a positive response, particularly the carrying strap, which you will no doubt find indispensable as you take your machine from one LAN party to another.

Epox has targeted PC users who want to keep abreast of the latest technologies by regularly upgrading their computer one stage at a time. This is evident from the DDR1 memory, the four PCI slots and the additional UltraATA/133 controller and built-in graphics. The latter will suffice until the funds become available for a separate graphics card along the lines of an ATI Radeon X800 or NVIDIA GeForce 6800.

As far as the processor is concerned, we would certainly advise against choosing a fast model, as the huge increase in heat you get with these models is not worth the small amount of extra performance they deliver. Nowadays, 2.8 GHz to 3.2 GHz is certainly fast enough.