ABIT KV7 (KT600): Budget Performance in a Small Package
by Evan Lieb on September 7, 2003 10:42 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
ABIT KV7: Basic Features
| Motherboard Specifications | |
| CPU Interface | Socket-462 |
| Chipset | VIA KT600 North Bridge VIA VT8237 South Bridge |
| Bus Speeds | up to 250MHz (in 1MHz increments) |
| Core Voltages | up to 2.325V in 0.0250V increments excluding 1.925V, 2.050V, 2.150V, & 2.250V) |
| DRAM Voltage | up to 2.80V (in 0.05V increments excluding 2.75V) |
| Chipset Voltag | up to 2.95V (in 0.1V increments) |
| AGP Voltage | up to 1.65V (in 0.05V increments) |
| Memory Slots | 3 X 184-pin DDR DIMM Slots |
| Expansion Slots | 1 X AGP 8X Slot 5 X PCI Slots |
| Onboard IDE RAID | N/A |
| Onboard USB 2.0/IEEE-1394 | Eight USB 2.0 ports supported by VT8237 No IEEE 1394 FireWire available |
| Onboard LAN | VIA VT6103 10/100 controller |
| Onboard Audio | VIA VT1616 AC’97 codec |
| Onboard Serial ATA | Two SATA connectors via VT8237 (RAID 0, 1 & 0 + 1) |
| BIOS Revision | August 4th, 2003 |
ABIT is one of the first motherboard makers (Soltek being the first we’ve seen) to finally implement the VIA VT1616 codec that has been glaringly absent on previous KT600 motherboards, such as Epox’s 8KRA2+, Gigabyte’s 7VT600 1394, MSI’s KT6 Delta-FIS2R, and ASUS’ A7V600. We have preached the use of VIA’s VT1616 codec instead of cheaper codecs like Realtek’s ALC650/655 because the VT1616 is capable of outputting higher sound quality when an analog speaker system is utilized (in other words, when you use the analog out port). While this sound solution isn’t in the same league as VIA’s Envy24 solutions (which are capable of 24 bit/96KHz sampling), it’s better than most Socket A motherboards that are bound to using fairly low-end Realtek codecs. However, for everyday audio tasks, such as listening to MP3s and even occasional gaming, the KV7 offers good sound quality. Therefore, the KV7’s onboard sound quality really isn’t terribly different from the other KT600 motherboards that AnandTech has reviewed in the past, but it certainly is better.
The ABIT KV7’s LAN controller is powered by an uncommon, but perfectly functional, IC (integrated circuit) named the VIA VT6103. The VIA VT6103 is your standard 10/100 Fast Ethernet PHY that will serve any basic broadband user’s needs. We’ve mentioned in countless reviews that 10/100/1000 network controllers can be found on most modern-day Intel motherboards, but that the same cannot be said about modern-day AMD motherboards (KT600, nForce2, or otherwise). GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) is quite useful for a small niche of home/home office users who transfer large files between networked computers, but besides that it’s not terribly helpful for the majority of mainstream users and enthusiasts. Therefore, we view the absence of onboard GbE as a minor negative attribute of the KV7.
The ABIT KV7 comes with a rather standard collection of I/O ports for a low-end enthusiast motherboard. Included in the rear panel are two PS/2 ports, one serial port, one parallel port, four USB 2.0 ports, one LAN port, SPDIF ports, and Mic In, Line In, and Line Out, which drive the onboard sound. The four USB 2.0 ports should be just enough for people that use everyday USB equipment, such as printers, scanners, digital cameras, USB flash memory keys, etc. ABIT is known for adding intriguing sets of I/O ports, so the addition of SPDIF ports to the KV7 is no surprise whatsoever. SPDIF won’t be too useful to the average person, but enthusiasts should be pleased with this option as it gives them flexibility. It is to be expected that the KV7 omits any support for IEEE 1394 FireWire, via the rear I/O panel or otherwise. There are very few mainstream motherboards that come with onboard FireWire to begin with, save for select few Intel motherboards. So, the lack of FireWire is not a huge loss, especially since USB devices are quite prevalent.
As expected with all current KT600 motherboards, the KV7 has native Serial ATA support, courtesy of VIA's brand new VT8237 South Bridge. The VT8237 supports RAID 0, 1 and 0 + 1, which is a nice addition for users looking for the best combination of RAID support in a desktop motherboard. The advantage of RAID 0 + 1 is fast data access (like RAID 0), with the ability to lose one drive, and still have a complete duplicate surviving drive or set of drives (like RAID 1). In case you didn't already know, RAID 0 + 1 is stripping (RAID 0) and mirroring (RAID 1) combined without parity having to be calculated and written. In addition to all of this, VIA has also upped V-link's throughput from 533MB/s to 1066MB/s. All in all, VIA's new South Bridge is impressive, and certainly gives KT600 boards some added value compared to nForce2 motherboards. The new increased chipset I/O bandwidth is also a welcome addition, as it should help in those “intangible” computing experiences, such as multitasking.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
34 Comments
View All Comments
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 21, 2003 - link
Hey morons - get a Life.To All Other human beings:
Does This Board unlock The Tbreds Multiplier wise?
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
I am sorry if you are upset because I point out errors in your posts, #32. It is not that I think I am smart, it is that these things just pop out at me. In the sentence that begins with "Good lord," a comma should go between "forum" and "so" to separate the clauses. Hope this helps. Talk to you soon!Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
Man, can't you come up with anything new? Your posts all follow the same formula:Step 1: A sarcastic response to my post
Step 2: Repeat whatever I said in my post (i.e. state the obvious
Step 3: A useless suggestion
Your excessive use of sarcasm has reached the point of making me sick. I wonder if you're like this in real life... makes me feel sorry for the people around you. At the same time, I find it pretty funny too because I bet you really do think you're smart, and you're probably trying to prove it to everyone all the time. That was probably how this whole thing started. You wanted to prove me wrong for being "cold and rude" and show everyone who reads these comments how righteous you are, and by being sarcastic show them how "intelligent" you are. I'm sorry buddy, but we're no longer in high school; it takes much more than knowing how to use sarcasm to show you're intelligent. You probably didn't expect a response after patting yourself on the back for making your original comment, and now you're struggling like mad to try and save whatever face you have left. HAHA I hope that in your next post, you'll try and be a little more original, because quite frankly, you're getting pretty boring and predictable.
Oh yes, instead of making multiple posts, I'll just keep everything all in one post.
PUAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA You must be flaming mad because I'm so "stupid" and ruined your little plan.
And now everyone, here is Mr. Hypocrite once again:
"This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse."
Good lord, I don't want to insult anyone else in this forum so I won't question your sexuality, aight? Have a nice weekend!!!
BAHAHHAHAHAAHAA!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
In response to your post as #28, I am flattered, but at the same time somewhat embarrassed, by the high regard in which you hold me. I appreciate it.While all of your posts are truly gems, I found your last as #30 to be particularly valuable. It is a significant improvement over your post as #29, where you chose to simply copy a sentence from a prior post of mine. Further, I am very pleased that I have been able to encourage you to desist from your use of vulgarity as your means of expression in a professional context.
As to what my point was, please reread my previous posts the next time you are looking for sentences to copy. Hope to hear from you soon!
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
PUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse.Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
puhahahhahaa, couldn't resist, could you? To be totally honest now, I really look up to you and think you're really smart, so I'd love to continue responding to you and proving your initial point. I mean god, this is just so great, isn't it? I hope you keep responding. =)So um... what was your original point? Dude I totally missed it, if you could enlighten me please? I'm not as intelligent as you, so if you'd just remind me what it was, I'd be extremely grateful. Okay, I think that's about it, can't wait for your response. ;)
Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
I am sorry you misundertood my last post, #26. I meant that it was no fun because it was boring, not because I was impressed with your continued vulgarity. However, it is difficult to resist when I know you will just keep posting as long as I do, particularly when you prove my initial point with every message you write. Looking forward to your next post . . .Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
Aw, poor baby, so it's no longer fun for you? I guess it's no fun when the person you're being an asshole to gives you back the same treatment. I hope you had fun counting and numbering my sentences though... that must have been quite a task. I mean, I had trouble following along with your description of my mistakes, and I had the benefit of someone already numbering them out for me. Of course, I'm not as smart as you are, so maybe that's why I had difficulty. Anyhow, I hope you will stop being a hypocrite and actually *do* the things you will say you will (discontinue your dialog, for example). Oh, and uh, lighten up!!! =)Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
#24 As noted in my post as #22, I have continued to post because it was fun. It has now ceased being so. I am particularly taken aback by your use of vulgarity in what you acknowledge is a professional site. This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse. At the same time, I find it moderately amusing that you have adopted a sarcastic tone (e.g., "poor, hurt feelings" Evan) after having derided me earlier for posting sarcastically.Finally, I must confess that I find your posts difficult to follow because of your incorrect omission of commas. For your benefit, I want to point out that commas should go between "site" and "and" and between "comment" and "I" in the third sentence; between "hurt" and "anyway" in the fifth; and between "words" and "my" in the thirteenth. You also have omitted a word, a required conjunction, in the fourteenth sentence. Please take the time to make your posts more readable. Thanks. haha