ABIT KV7 (KT600): Budget Performance in a Small Package
by Evan Lieb on September 7, 2003 10:42 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Performance Test Configuration
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (400MHz FSB) |
| RAM: | Two 256MB Corsair PC3200 TwinX LL v1.2) Modules (SPD rated) |
| Hard Drive(s): | Western Digital 120GB 7200 RPM Special Edition (8MB Buffer) |
| Bus Master Drivers: | NVIDIA nForce version 2.03 (January 30, 2003) VIA 4in1 Hyperion 4.47 (May 20, 2003) |
| Video Card(s): | ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB (AGP 8X) |
| Video Drivers: | ATI Catalyst 3.6 |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP1 |
| Motherboards: | ABIT KV7 (KT600) @ 202.49MHz FSB ASUS A7V600 (KT600) @ 200.00MHz FSB DFI NFII Ultra (nForce2 Ultra 400) @ 201.35MHz FSB Epox 8KRA2+ (KT600) @ 202.44MHz FSB Gigabyte 7NNXP (nForce2 Ultra 400) @ 202.77MHz FSB Gigabyte 7VT600 1394 (KT600) @ 202.78MHz FSB MSI KT6 Delta-FIS2R (KT600) @ 202.65MHz FSB Soltek NV400-L64 (nForce2 400) @ 200.50MHz FSB |
All performance tests that ran on nForce2 Ultra 400 and nForce2 400 motherboards utilized two 256MB Corsair TwinX LL PC3200 (v1.1 and/or v1.2) modules, set to SPD timings in DDR400 mode. Dual-channel mode was used on nForce2 Ultra 400 boards. Two DIMMs working as single-channel were used on the Soltek NV400-L64 (nForce2 400 chipset) motherboard for consistency.
All performance tests that ran on the KT600-based motherboards used two 256MB Corsair TwinX LL PC3200 (v1.1 and/or v1.2) Corsair modules in DDR400 mode. KT600 memory timings did vary slightly among the motherboards, with the ASUS A7V600 requiring a Ras-to-Cas of 3 for stable operation, while other KT600 boards were able to operate at a RAS-to-CAS setting of 2. 4-bank interleave and the highest available Fast Command options (Turbo or Ultra) were used.
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Anonymous User - Monday, September 8, 2003 - link
I am getting tired of the constant advocacy of NForce2 Motherboards. I personally bought an NF7-S 2.0 and I consider it a lemon. I have since returned to the Soyo KT333 based solution I used to use. I still have never seen the BSOD under that board. I wish I could say the same for NForce NForce implements far to much of its functionality in software to be rock-hard trouble-free. VIA implements almost everything in hardware, making it the most durable, reliable, dependable and trouble-free platform around.Anonymous User - Monday, September 8, 2003 - link
A nice review of a nice board. I got me one and don't regret passing over the nForce alternatives. VIAs drivers are hassle free nowadays, whereas certain others are still struggling to even make releases.I have a question though on something that you could perhaps clarify. The RAM speed settings in the BIOS does not seem to have a setting for "same as FSB" if you get my meaning. If I raise the FSB to say 210 and leave the RAM speed setting to "DDR 400", what actually happens with the RAM frequency? Is there some way to verify that it does follow the FSB speed? I'm curious since running FSB and RAM frequency out of sync with eachother has typically been somewhat detrimental to performance on Athlon DDR boards.
Anonymous User - Monday, September 8, 2003 - link
This review fails to state the complete RMA policy for ABIT. If you are missing your sales receipt, there's a $25 charge. If you want to cross-ship, there's a $7 charge for processing, plus $15 if you want 2nd-day instead of ground, plus they will charge you $150 (that's actually a charge up front via Paypal, not just a charge if they don't receive the bad one), and if the motherboard is received by them in good condition, then they'll refund the $150 by company check.Anonymous User - Monday, September 8, 2003 - link
Im very happy to see more staff besides Wesley starting to contribute again. Anandtech article rate has increased dramatically since Wesley came on board, I just wish Anand would do something. He's like a shadow in the wells doing nothing.