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This will be the template setup for all subsequent boards, so here's how we'll do it. A spec list, spec discussion and board shot on page 1, followed by layout talk. Then BIOS, bundle and manual discussion and a mid-way conclusion covering all we've seen so far, on page 2. Repeat times eight.
Spec
| Albatron KX400-8XV | |
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Northbridge |
VIA VT8377A KT400A |
| Southbridge |
VIA VT8235CE |
| PCI |
5 x 32-bit, 33MHz |
| Audio |
Realtek ALC650 PHY from VT8235CE |
| Ethernet |
None |
| IDE |
2 ports, 4 devices, from VT8235CE |
| Memory |
3GB DDR400, 3 slots |
| USB2.0 |
2 backplate, 4 flyoff |
| Firewire |
None |
| Serial ATA |
None |
| RAID |
None |
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Hmm, it's not the most feature packed of boards. No fancy features such as SATA, RAID or even Ethernet. The lack of the bigger value added features like Serial ATA and RAID are acceptable, boards need to come in at certain price points to target certain market segments. But isn't Ethernet a given on boards these days, onboard southbridge provided or otherwise? A VIA VT6103 PHY or similar isn't expensive, a dollar at most, so the lack of a PHY and port is disappointing at any price point. There's a 'V' version with 3Com Ethernet. Why?
Only 5 PCI is a bit short too, especially without Ethernet. Support for 4 IDE devices means a realistic limit of only 2 hard drives and 2 opticals for most. Audio from the competent Realtek ALC650 front end, fed by the 8235CE. The CODEC is a fixture on many a Pentium 4 board in the recent past, and a decent choice here.
Not that impressive from Albatron so far, if we are honest. It does however implement the core features fine and a full 6 USB2.0 ports, the maximum the 8235CE can provide.
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Shot
Layout
The usual Hexus layout discussion, left to right, top to bottom. On the bright blue, attractive PCB, we first come across the CPU Socket area. With not too much power circuitry around the CPU, the usual indication of processor stability, especially when overclocked, we get an early impression the board might not be top of the pile at the end. The lack of mounting holes for 80mm heatsinks further confirms our early suspicions, although clip based heatsinks aren't too bad these days.
Past that we have 3 DDR DIMM slots for our DDR400 memory support of up to 3GB in total. Then we have odd coloured IDE ports on the right hand edge, aligned just the way they should be, north-south.
The AGP slot, an attractive blue colour, is in the topmost slot position available on an ATX backplane. With 7 of those slot positions available, on a 6 slot (5 PCI plus AGP) board, it's desirable for all the slots to drop down a backplane slot to make more room around the end tabs on the DDR DIMM slots. Albatron don't agree, putting the AGP slot uppermost. So a longer graphics card doesn't give the end tabs much room, meaning you might have to remove your graphics card to add or remove memory modules. No big deal, just inconvenience. No AGP retention mechanism either. It's a tiny bit of plastic, please just implement it on all boards for the miniscule cost addition in future (that goes to all manufacturers, not just Albatron).
Above the AGP slot sits an actively cooled northbridge. The fan was a little noisy but nothing bad. To the left of it we have the ATX power connector. Ouch, one of the worst places for it. I'm beginning to really dislike this layout now.
One last layout error, the low, horizontal placement of the floppy drive connector, underneath the final PCI slot.
A bad layout all round, all things considered. Sorry Albatron, but that sucked.
BIOS, bundle and manual now.
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