5 New SocketA Boards With UltraATA/100

Biostar M7VKB

BIOS-Version: 31st October 2000

Board-Revision: 1.1

If you are looking for a BIOS update at the well structured Biostar-Europe website you will find out that version VKB1006R is the latest one available. The technical information about this board is a bit obscure. According to the website there are two models of the M7VKB available. One comes with 686A-ATA/66 Southbridge and the other with an additional HPT370 controller for ATA/100. It was the third and undocumented version of the M7VKB with 686B-Southbridge that reached us. This policy will lead to some confusion. If there is one product name with three different models, Biostar should stress this fact a bit more.

The system bus clock can only be changed in the BIOS because the spaces for the Dipswitches as well as for the Wake-on-modem connector were not equipped. FSB can be changed from 100 to 140 MHz in steps larger than 1 MHz. CPU voltage varies in a small range between 1.775 to 1.85 V. The chipset is made for 1.5 GByte but this board only can take 768 MByte, which will be enough in most cases.

A letter-sized Quick Guide leaflet is sufficient in order get this board started. For further information you have to take a look into the manual or on the additional CD. We think it's worth mentioning that the slot cable for USB port 3 and 4 is shipping with the board. Most other manufacturers don't supply this cable, although they praise their products for their support of 4 USB-slots. The Creative CT5880 sound chip offers enough quality to enjoy your music. In order to install your expansion cards there are 5 PCI slots available.