
Originally, we planned on doing a second part of the last comparison One Tough Cookie: 10 Boards with Intel i875P Chipset: Part I . However, because the situation with other test candidates and BIOS software has changed, we have retested all the motherboards.
In the next few months, two chipsets will set the pace for the Intel P4 platform, namely the 875P as the top model and the somewhat cheaper 865 with its derivatives. It is also apparent that the Grantsdale chipset, which is not due to be released until mid 2004, will expand the current generation. The two modules are therefore designed to last a long time and are ideal as upgrades or for OEM use.
The current favorite is "Dual-DDR400," and motherboard buyers are basing their purchase decision on criteria such as "FSB800" or "HT-Support." As far as the ambitious user is concerned, selecting the perfect motherboard is anything but a trivial pastime - never before have customers been able to choose from such a wide range of products. Another plus is the extremely long list of features, previously unheard of for motherboards, thus making the purchase of additional components superfluous for the time being. This comes as a result of higher integration.
The most striking feature of the new boards is the optical aspect. Every manufacturer is desperately trying to attract attention through a specific layout and the design of the packaging. The solutions typically rely on lavish, high-gloss print instead of spartan, generic packaging. If you want to be noticed, you have to resort to unconventional methods and have fresh ideas. Hence, bright-colored carrier bags, funny T-shirts, cult stickers, compact screwdrivers, rotating flashing lights or fluorescent round cables are now the trends; the actual hardware, i.e., the motherboard, has long ceased to suffice as a means of wooing customers. What's more important now is to provide enough accessories to make the package burst, and everything at a reasonable price!
Nevertheless, the key is an evenly balanced overall package, the right mixture of features, equipment and performance for critically minded users.
- Motherboard Trends 2003: Consumers Are Spoilt For Choice
- Motherboard Trends 2003: Consumers Are Spoilt For Choice, Continued
- Overview Test Candidates: 24 Boards On The Test Bench
- Abit IC7-G: For Overclocking Fans, Continued
- Abit IC7-G: For Overclocking Fans, Continued
- Abit IS7: Bitter Price War With PAT
- Abit IS7: Bitter Price War With PAT, Continued
- Aopen AX4C Max 2: Mid-Range Product With A Few Minor Faults
- Aopen AX4C Max 2: Mid-Range Product With A Few Minor Faults, Continued
- Aopen AX4C Max 2: Mid-Range Product With A Few Minor Faults, Continued
- Aopen AX4C Max: Cooling Element With Possible Danger Of Burning
- Aopen AXSPE Max: Restrained Enthusiasm
- Asus P4C800 Deluxe: Sparse Selection Of Equipment At A High Price
- Asus P4C800 Deluxe: Sparse Selection Of Equipment At A High Price, Continued
- Asus P4C800 Deluxe: Sparse Selection Of Equipment At A High Price, Continued
- Asus P4C800-E Deluxe: Good Choice With CSA Support
- Asus P4P800 Deluxe: The Only One With Activated PAT
- Asus P4P800 Deluxe: The Only One With Activated PAT, Continued
- BIOStar P4TCA Pro: Good Basis With WLAN
- BIOStar P4TCA Pro: Good Basis With WLAN, Continued
- BIOStar P4TCA Pro: Good Basis With WLAN, Continued
- Chaintech 9CJS Zenith: The Features Giant
- Chaintech 9CJS Zenith: The Features Giant, Continued
- Chaintech 9CJS Zenith: The Features Giant, Continued
- DFI Pro 875 Lan Party: A Feast For The Eyes In The Dark
- DFI Pro 875 Lan Party: A Feast For The Eyes In The Dark, Continued
- Elitegroup PF1: Get The Price Down!
- Elitegroup PF1: Get The Price Down! Continued
- Epox PE-4PCA3+: Above Average
- Epox PE-4PCA3+: Above Average, Continued
- Epox PE-4PDA2+: Better Than Its Big Brother
- Epox PE-4PDA2+: Better Than Its Big Brother, Continued
- Gigabyte: Four Boards With 865 And 875 Chipset
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Ultra: Top Class At A Top Price
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Ultra: Top Class At A Top Price, Continued
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Ultra: Top Class At A Top Price, Continued
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP: Credit Where Credit's Due
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP: Credit Where Credit's Due, Continued
- Gigabyte GA-8PENXP: Is PAT Activated?
- Gigabyte GA-8PENXP: Is PAT Activated? Continued
- Gigabyte GA-8IG1000Pro: Low Cost At A Cutthroat Price
- Intel D875PBZ: Spartan, Slow, Expensive
- Intel D875PBZ: Spartan, Slow, Expensive, Continued
- Intel D865PERL: Potential For Fine Tuning
- Intel D865PERL: Potential For Fine Tuning, Continued
- MSI 875P Neo-FIS2R (MS-6758): At A High Level
- MSI 875P Neo-FIS2R (MS-6758): At A High Level, Continued
- MSI 865PE Neo 2-FIS2R (MS-6728): Fastest In The Comparative Test
- QDI P4I875PMA-6AFR: Innovation - ATX Becomes Micro-ATX!
- QDI P4I875PMA-6AFR: Innovation - ATX Becomes Micro-ATX! Continued
- Soltek SL-86SPE-L: Color Me Purple
- Soyo P4I875 Dragon 2: Mega Features With Weaknesses
- Soyo P4I875 Dragon 2: Mega Features With Weaknesses, Continued
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates, Continued
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates, Continued
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates, Continued
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates, Continued
- Equipment And Overview Of All Test Candidates, Continued
- Test Setup And Details
- Benchmarks In Windows XP
- OpenGL Games: Quake 3 Arena
- DirectX 8 Games: Comanche 4 Demo
- DirectX 8 Engine: 3D Mark 2001 SE
- MP3 Audio Encoding: MP3 Maker Platinum 3.04
- Archiving: WinRAR 3.11
- CPU And Multimedia: SiSoft Sandra 2003 SP1
- Office Application: PC Mark 2002
- Application: SPEC Viewperf 7.1
- Conclusion: Purchase Decision Not Dependent On Chipset
- Conclusion: Purchase Decision Not Dependent On Chipset, Continued
- Awards: Gigabyte GA-8KNXP (Intel 875P) And MSI Neo 2 (Intel 865PE)