Friday, March 17, 2000

Introduction

As the adage goes, there are those that have it, and those that don't. Gigabyte is incontestably a member of the former. This prolific manufacturer has always presented us with products that are highly original in concept, and this occasion is no different. The GA-6CXC motherboard that we recently received is possibly one of the most high-tech boards that we've ever received for reviewing. Based upon the Intel 820 chipset, the GA-6CXC benefits from all of the most recent technological developments. Instead of using RAMBUS SRIMM memory, Gigabyte has designed the GA-6CXC to make use of PC100, or PC133 conventional DIMMs memory. What's more, the GA-6CXC is equipped with a range of features that are rarely encountered on a motherboard, and it will be our pleasure to describe.

On another note, parallel to this analysis, I would also like to present an analysis of the Gigabyte socket 370-to-Slot 1 adapter - the GA-6R7Pro - which we will be implementing in our motherboard tests of the GA-6CXC.

the GA-6R7Pro Socket 370 to slot 1 adapter

Since the GA-6CXC is a Slot 1 board, it is necessary to use a Socket 370 adapter in order to use the Intel Coppermine FC-PGA 500E. So, we decided to use the new GA-6R7Pro model from Gigabyte. So, what does the GA-6R7Pro have that other such adapters do not? Quite simply, the GA-6R7Pro has its own voltage regulation circuit, which is compatible with the VRM 8.4 standard.
Thus, proper support with FC-PGA processors is assured under the best conditions, and totally independently of the motherboard itself.

As we all know, not all motherboards supply adequate voltage, and power to satisfy the needs of Coppermine FC-PGA chips, especially those boards based around the BX family...

In order to provide proper operating conditions for the Intel Coppermine FC-PGA processors, one sure method is to integrate directly onto the adapter itself, a VRM circuit, and that is precisely what has been done by Gigabyte with the GA-6R7Pro.

Not only do the GA-6R7Pro's voltage regulator modules meet the VRM 8.4 standards, but the adapter also included a series of jumpers that permit one to vary the processor's voltage from a selection of 31 different values, as well as an automatic position, which allows the processor to set the correct voltage itself. As well, one may choose an operating frequency of either 66Mhz, or 100Mhz, or allow the processor to determine the frequency itself. Note that a setting of 133MHz is possible, but not by manual settings. In order to achieve that speed, the adapter must be set to automatic, and the processor itself must choose to run under that bus frequency.

We tested the GA-6R7Pro with the Intel Coppermine FC-PGA 500E, with the adapter mounted on the GA-6CXC motherboard, so you can take note of the results as we continue through the article.

Next: The Gigabyte GA-6CXC i820 slot 1 motherboard