Roundup: Six Core 2 Motherboards Under $100

BI-500 Software, BIOS, And Accessories

In addition to drivers, the BI-500 includes Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 and, for those willing to browse the CD, Wasay Pro-Magic Plus system recovery and Image IT 3 hard drive imaging software.

BIOS

The BI-500 supports extremely broad frequency and voltage changes, although users are required to do a little math to figure out the approximate results of a few. For example, increasing a 1.20 V CPU core by the motherboard’s limit will raise it to over 1.80 V. Be careful.

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BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking)
FSB FrequencyStock to 700 MHz (1 MHz)
Clock Multiplier AdjustmentYes
DRAM Ratios1.0, 1.2, 1.25, 1.5, 1.60, 1.67, 2.0
PCIe Clock100 to 200 MHz (1 MHz)
CPU Vcore-0.40 to +0.63 V (0.01 V)
CPU FSB VoltageStock to +120.99% (~1.91%)
Northbridge (MCH)1.125 to 2.256 V (~0.018 V)
Southbridge (ICH)1.50 to 3.031 V (~0.024 V)
DRAM Voltage1.850 to +3.285 V (~0.026 V)
CASLatencyRange
tCAS:3-10; tRCD: 3-10; tRP: 3-10; tRAS: 9-24

Likewise, Jetway opened up all available Intel memory ratios, rather than limiting buyers to 800, 1,066, or 1,200 MHz data rates like so many competitors do.

Jetway’s Miscellaneous Control menu provides all the basic overclock-related settings and a few advanced ones, such as amplitude and skew controls.

The BI-500 Advance Chipset Features menu offers the most commonly requested memory timing controls. Unlike its chief rival, Jetway allows individual settings to be automatically controlled.

Accessories

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Accessories
Documentation&SoftwareMotherboard ManualMotherboard Driver CD
Hardware1x 4-Pin to SATA Power Adapter2x SATA Data Cable1x I/O Panel Shield1x I/O Panel Shield Label

Jetway limits its cable kit to two SATA data cables and a single four-pin to SATA power adapter. Buyers who would like to stay with Windows XP and add AHCI drivers during the installation must purchase their floppy cable separately.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
  • V3NOM
    interesting, although pretty much anyone building a P775 system these days would spend a bit more than $100... and somethings really weird with this commenting thing cos i can't read what i'm typing... it just ... doesnt fill the box? just when i type something it instantly goes to the left instead of filling the box... but anyway, interesting if a bit useless article.
    Reply
  • cangelini
    FWIW, the issue with text disappearing from the commenting box as you're typing is something I've reported and m waiting for a fix still. Thanks for confirming that it's still an issue.
    Reply
  • rjcorrin
    Yes - everyone has money shooting out of their pantless ass to buy more expensive motherboards. I use a gigabyte Ep35 DS3L and am very happy with it. What is a >$100 board going to give me? Is it just that you want to waste money? I'm guessing you are one of those people who carry a balance on your credit card and lease a Lexus - you debt-carrying phag.
    Reply
  • jsc
    "What is a >$100 board going to give me?

    I have a DS3P becuae i need the exrta SATA ports.
    Reply
  • I run the I.T. department for a couple small businesses, and the sub $100 motherboard is almost essential in today's economy. Sure I could use a $120-$150 motherboard, DDR3, 10000 RPM hard drive, and all kinds of other things, but I would end up with a system that is only marginal faster in business applications for 3+ times the price. Take one of the G3x or G4x motherboards, 2GB DDR2, Intel E7x00 CPU and 80GB+ HDD and you have a system that will meet the needs of a good majority of businesses and home users. I am personally a gamer and can see the value in the higher end components; but there are a lot of other market segments out there where this makes financial sense.
    Reply
  • rjcorrin
    "I have a DS3P becuae i need the exrta SATA ports."
    The DS3L has 4 Sata ports which could easily handle 3 terabytes and a DVD drive. You could have saved money by editing down your porn collection and deleting your stolen .iso's of the entire "Friday the 13th" collection. Then you would have had enough space to install "Mavis Beacon Teaches Touch Typing". That would give you something else to do with your hands during your "adult film" marathons.
    Did you happen to notice that the comment box detects your errors and underlines them in red?
    Reply
  • rjcorrin
    "I have a DS3P becuae i need the exrta SATA ports."
    The DS3L has 4 Sata ports which could easily handle 3 terabytes and a DVD drive. You could have saved money by editing down your porn collection and deleting your stolen .iso's of the entire "Friday the 13th" collection. Then you would have had enough space to install "Mavis Beacon Teaches Touch Typing". That would give you something else to do with your hands during your "adult film" marathons.
    Did you happen to notice that the comment box detects your errors and underlines them in red?
    Reply
  • gaiden2k7
    I got a Gigabyte UD3P for $99 during black friday... would that top this list? :)
    Reply
  • Noya
    I got a Gigabyte UD3P for $84.50 during Black Friday, pwned you ninja gaiden fag.
    Reply
  • malveaux
    Wait, no AMD stuff?

    :(
    Reply