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Spec
| AOpen AK77-400 Max | |
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Northbridge |
VIA VT8377A KT400A |
| Southbridge |
VIA VT8235CE |
| PCI |
6 x 32-bit, 33MHz |
| Audio |
Realtek ALC650 PHY from VT8235CE |
| Ethernet |
Realtek RTL8100BL |
| IDE |
2 ports, 4 devices from VT8235CE
1 port, 2 devices from Promise PDC20375 |
| Memory |
3GB DDR400, 3 slots |
| USB2.0 |
4 backplate, 2 flyoff |
| Firewire |
2 channels from Texas Instruments TSB43AB22 |
| Serial ATA |
2 channels from Promise PDC20375 |
| RAID |
None |
| Extras |
CNR slot |
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This is more like it! 6 PCI, Ethernet from a Realtek PHY, 6-channel audio from the ALC650 that we saw on the Albatron, Serial ATA from a Promise controller that also implements a PATA channel for 2 more PATA devices and Firewire from a TI processor.
A lot more promising and a good range of features. As far as I can tell, without Serial ATA drives to test with, the IDE channels on the PDC20375 aren't shared between the PATA and SATA outputs, so you can have a pair of SATA disks (no RAID) and a pair of PATA devices (including opticals). That's 8 IDE devices in total, 6 PATA and 2 SATA.
We like the Realtek Ethernet and 6 PCI never hurt anyone, even with lots of onboard features. A good showing so far.
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Shot
Layout
Like before, left to right, top to bottom. The AOpen differs from the previous Albatron in the top left of the board in a number of significant ways. The socket itself is flanked by a good array of 2200uF capacitors, indicating good stability under load. It's a rotated socket, like the majority of boards in this roundup, and the area around it contains the 4 mounting holes for bigger heatsinks, an initial thumbs up. 3 DDR DIMM slots for the usual amount of supported memory.
Past the DIMM slots on the right we have the IDE channels from the southbridge chip, coloured in yellow to match the black PCB, a favourite PCB colour for this reviewer.
Underneath the socket we have a passively cooled northbridge, realistically all it needs, along with a poorly placed ATX power connector to the left of it. It's a poor placement compared to other boards, but it's sadly a feature of most of the KT400A boards in this roundup. It might suit your case however. If it does, all the better.
The AGP slot occupies the top backplane slot in your case, like all 7 slot boards, and on this board that means some crowding around the end tabs of the DDR DIMM slots. Just an inconvenience, as mentioned previously, but an inconvenience none the less.
A lone CNR slot makes an appearance right at the very bottom, sharing backplane space with PCI 6. Why? Underneath the 8235CE we have the Promise PATA/SATA hardware, and its PATA port sits snug alongside the floppy drive port on the right edge of the board.
For me, a good layout with only the ATX power connector to give me any problems or things to complain about. The case headers are all well labelled and easy to find, even without the manual to hand. Thumbs up AOpen.
BIOS, bundle and manual.
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