After careful consideration I have decided to transfer all hardware review activities to a new domain.  I purchased Hardwareasylum.com in 2012 and have been working hard to build a new and improved Ninjalane on that domain.  If you are reading this you have reached one of the archived articles, news, projects and/or reviews that were left behind during the site migration. 

Please update your bookmarks and be sure to visit the new and improved Ninjalane at Hardwareasylum.com

  • reviews
  • motherboards
  • Soltek SL-86SPE-L (Springdale) Motherboard Review
  • Soltek SL-86SPE-L (Springdale) Motherboard Review

    Author:
    Published:

    Board Layout and Features cont.

    The board layout appears to get a little jumbled near the memory slots but despite the looks neither the ATA cables nor power cord caused any interface problems.
    Unlike nVidia Southbridge chips the Springdale chipset only comes with a gigabit Ethernet interface and has left it up to the mfg. to provide the controller chip. In the case of the 86SPE-L Soltek has included a 10/100-controller from Realtek.

    The ATX connector is of a standard design and layout with the extra USB ports located under the last PCI slot. The red LED in the photo is the power indicator light, Not really the best location for something such as this but I guess it works.
    The included package of stuff is pretty sparse this time around, though you do get 2x SerialATA cables, 1x Ultra ATA and floppy cables, quick start guide, motherboard manual and a set of disks containing the free version software and motherboard drivers. No more case badges sad smile.
    The last photo is more for historical reference and is really just to take up space. Shown are 4 different Soltek motherboard boxes and up until the "Golden Flame" series all of the motherboards came in a similar style box. (far right - SL-85DRS2, middle bottom - SL-85DR3, middle - SL-75FRN-L, left - SL-86SPE-L)