ASRock ConRoe945G-DVI: Core 2 Duo goes mATX
by Gary Key on September 1, 2006 5:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Basic Features
The BIOS layout and configurable options are representative of a budget performance system. We would like to note that if the X16 PCI Express slot is not utilized for a GPU then it will operate as an X1 PCI Express capable slot. The ConRoe945G-DVI certainly does not offer the same level of BIOS controls as more performance oriented boards but is typical of current ASRock value series boards. However, the options available allow enough control over the memory and subsequent performance of the board as not to hinder the user, except for two settings.
One issue we have with this BIOS -- and those of other ASRock boards -- is the lack of specific memory voltage settings besides High, Middle, and Low. Although this board is targeted to the value performance segment, the lack of specific voltages hindered our ability to overclock the board. The best we can tell with our memory modules is that the High setting added about +.15V to our base 1.8V requirement. The other major issue that could arise for Pentium 4 and possibly Core 2 Duo users is the complete lack of vCore settings. The board will basically set the voltage to the CPU's default voltage.
| ASRock ConRoe945G-DVI Specifications | |
| CPU Interface: | LGA775-based Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium D, and Core 2 Duo processors |
| Chipset: | Intel 945G - MCH Intel ICH7 - ICH |
| Front Side Bus: | 1066 / 800 / 533 MHz |
| Front Side Bus Speeds: | Auto, 140~350MHz in 1MHz increments |
| Memory Speeds: | Auto, DDR2-400, DDR2-533, DDR2-667 |
| Memory Timings: | Auto, tCAS, tRCD, tRP, tRAS |
| PCI Bus Speeds: | Fixed |
| PCI Express Bus Speeds: | Auto, 70MHz ~ 150MHz in 1MHz increments |
| Set Processor Multiplier: | Auto, (step down available for certain Pentium 4 series) |
| Core Voltage: | Auto, Fixed |
| DRAM Voltage: | Auto, High, Middle, Low |
| Memory Slots: | (4) x DIMM, max. 1GB per DIMM, max. 4GB total system memory, DDR2 667/533, non-ECC, unbuffered memory |
| Expansion Slots: | (1) x PCI-E x16 (1) x PCI-E x1 (2) x PCI 2.3 (1) x HDMR |
| Onboard SATA: | Intel ICH7: (4) x SATA 3Gbps, Hot Plug not supported |
| Onboard IDE: | Intel ICH7: (1) x UltraDMA 100/66/33 |
| Onboard USB2.0: | (8) USB2.0 ports |
| Onboard LAN: | Realtek RTL8111B PCIE 10/100/1000Mb/s Ethernet LAN |
| Onboard Audio: | Realtek ALC-888, 8-channel capable HD Audio |
| Onboard Video: | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Power Connectors: | 20-pin ATX 4-pin ATX 12V |
| Back Panel I/O Ports: | 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x PS/2 Mouse 1 x Parallel (LPT) 1 x VGA 1 x Audio I/O Panel 1 x RJ45 4 x USB |
| Features: | United Overclocking - Fixed Mode PCI/PCIE modes |
| BIOS: | AMI 1.10 |
The BIOS layout and configurable options are representative of a budget performance system. We would like to note that if the X16 PCI Express slot is not utilized for a GPU then it will operate as an X1 PCI Express capable slot. The ConRoe945G-DVI certainly does not offer the same level of BIOS controls as more performance oriented boards but is typical of current ASRock value series boards. However, the options available allow enough control over the memory and subsequent performance of the board as not to hinder the user, except for two settings.
One issue we have with this BIOS -- and those of other ASRock boards -- is the lack of specific memory voltage settings besides High, Middle, and Low. Although this board is targeted to the value performance segment, the lack of specific voltages hindered our ability to overclock the board. The best we can tell with our memory modules is that the High setting added about +.15V to our base 1.8V requirement. The other major issue that could arise for Pentium 4 and possibly Core 2 Duo users is the complete lack of vCore settings. The board will basically set the voltage to the CPU's default voltage.
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Gary Key - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
We will go in-depth with power consumption and cooling opportunities in the upcoming mATX review that will include AM2 boards as well.esterhasz - Saturday, September 2, 2006 - link
great! can't wait!mino - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
LOL, just posted a request for that down under, must learn to read :)Please try to include that K9AGM I asked for, or at least other RS485/SB600 combo board.
Consider the fact K9AGM is a part of the AMD CSIP program so this board is gonna bea round at least until Q4'07. It's not your average seasonal thing like most are.