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Abit IS7 (Springdale) Motherboard Review
Author: Dennis Garcia
Published: Monday, May 26, 2003
More Layout Stuff
One of the key features of the I865PE chipset is DDR400 support. The memory slots are color coded so that you will know where to install your memory pairs. The alternative memory configurations are discussed in the manual. For maximum performance it is suggested that you put your DIMM pairs in the matching color slots in each memory bank, it is generally a good idea to choose the lowest slot number in each bank.
Abit included an impressive sound package with the IS7 including onboard 6-channel audio with both Analog and Digital connections. The rest of the connections can be seen in the photo.
The Abit IS7 doesn't come with an AGP Pro slot but does have built in provisions for a double-stacked video card like the GeForce FX. You will notice some interface pins under the AGP, these are for the extra Firewire ports. Depending on what video card you choose to run there may not be enough room to fit everything.
The Abit IS7 doesn't come with an AGP Pro slot but does have built in provisions for a double-stacked video card like the GeForce FX. You will notice some interface pins under the AGP, these are for the extra Firewire ports. Depending on what video card you choose to run there may not be enough room to fit everything.
Unlike the nVidia nForce2 chipset the Springdale chipset doesn't come with an onboard LAN, to make up for it Abit has included a 3com 10/100 Ethernet controller. For comparison sake the IS7-G comes with a gigabit LAN that may be a selling point for those of you wishing to compete with the Macintosh.
Update: One of the sharp readers of Ninjalane.com noticed that the chip pictured above is actually a Gigabit controller chip from 3com, (Marvell 940-MV00) so it would appear that despite what the documentation says this version of the IS7 comes with an upgraded Ethernet controller.
Update: One of the sharp readers of Ninjalane.com noticed that the chip pictured above is actually a Gigabit controller chip from 3com, (Marvell 940-MV00) so it would appear that despite what the documentation says this version of the IS7 comes with an upgraded Ethernet controller.
