Nvidia 680i Motherboard Comparison Part 2
Overclocking
The PN2 SLI2+ provides all the overclocking controls mandated by its market with frequency ranges at least 50% beyond practical limits and high-enough maximum voltage limits to exceed safe practices.
| BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking) | |
|---|---|
| FSB Frequency | 100 - 625 MHz (1 MHz) |
| Clock Multiplier Adjustment | Yes |
| DRAM Frequency | 400-1400 MHz Data Rate |
| PCIe Clock | 100-200 MHz (1 MHz) |
| SPP-MCP HT Link Clock | 200-500 MHz (1 MHz) |
| CPU Vcore | 0.50000 - 1.80000 Volts (0.00625 Volts) |
| CPU FSB Voltage | 1.20 - 1.50 Volts (0.10 Volts) |
| Northbridge (SPP) | 1.20 - 1.55 Volts (0.05 Volts) |
| Southbridge (MCP) | 1.500 - 1.750 Volts (0.025 Volts) |
| Chipset Link Voltage | 1.20 - 1.55 Volts (0.05 Volts) |
| DRAM Voltage | 1.800 - 2.500 Volts (0.025 Volts) |
| CAS Latency Range | |
| tCAS : 1-6 ; tRCD : 1-7 ; tRP : 1-7 ; tRAS : 1-31 ; Command Rate : 1T/2T |
The early-stepping E6700 used in testing has never been a stellar overclocker, usually reaching 3460 MHz at a 346 MHz bus clock (FSB 1384) and it stock 10x multiplier, with 1.50 volts, applied to its core. The PN2 SLI2+ reached the same CPU clock limit, but dropping the CPU clock multiplier to 6x only got bus speed up to a disappointing 375 MHz bus (FSB 1500), where an increase to 376 MHz wouldn’t boot.
Accessories
| Accessories | |
|---|---|
| Documentation & Software | Quick Setup GuideMotherboard ManualMotherboard Driver CDECS Freeware Value Pack CD |
| Hardware | 1x 40-conductor ATA-33 cable1x 80-conductor Ultra ATA cable6x SATA Data Cable1x Floppy Cable1x Chipset Cooling Fan1x I/O Panel Shield1x SLI Bridge1x Network Cable (Cross-over)1x IEEE-1394+USB Slot Panel (1+2-ports)1x Slot Panel to 3.5" Drive Bay Adapter |
ECS attempts to maximize value in its accessory pack by including freeware/shareware applications that cost them nothing in licensing fees may prove useful to the end user. Cabling is simple but complete, with the full set of Serial ATA, Ultra ATA and floppy drive cables, but ECS again adds value and convenience with a low-cost crossover network cable.
Nvidia’s reference-board Northbridge fan and SLI bridge again meet expectations, but ECS also adds a front-panel bay adapter for its IEEE-1394 FireWire and USB breakout bracket. Inexpensive but thoughtful add-ins such as this are hallmarks of ECS’ drive for customer satisfaction.
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