The Abit TH7-II RAID

Thursday, November 15, 2001


Introduction

The TH7-II RAID is a Socket 478 variation of the original TH7 motherboard, which was designed with a Socket 423 interface.

Like its predecessor, the TH7-II is based on the i850 chipset. It also remains quite faithful to the original's design, by supporting Softmenu III, and many of the later's elaborate Overclocking features.

So, without any further jabber, let's head on in, and see what the Abit TH7-II has to offer.

Characteristics of the Abit TH7-II Pentium 4 motherboard
CPU
Supports Intel Pentium¨ 4 Socket 478 based processor
Chipset
Intel(R) 850 chipset. 82850/82801BA/82802AB
Form factor
ATX
Expansion
5 PCI - 0 ISA - 1 CNR - 1 AGP - 3 USB
Memory
4 184-pin SRIMM for up to 2GB RDRAM PC600 or PC800
FSB
100Mhz to 255Mhz in steps of 1Mhz
Vcore adj.
1.1v to 1.85v in steps of 0.025v, and 1.90v to 2.20v in steps of 0.05v
Vio adj.
NA
Audio chipset
embeded into the chipset ICH2


Configuration

Configuration the TH7-II differs slightly from that of the TH7. While the original TH7 featured an entirely jumperless design, the TH7-II includes a multi-function array of DIP switches. The array labeled SW2 and controls the following features:

  • Activation/deactivation of automatic CPU detection
  • Select FSB frequency of 100Mhz or 133Mhz
  • FSB normal or Turbo (100.4Mhz)
  • Activation/deactivation of Watchdog Timer
  • Activation/deactivation of frequency Strap
  • Choice of CNR Lan or Onboard Lan
  • Activation/deactivation of SoftMenu

    The Softmenu BIOS functtions can also be used to set the FSB frequency, change the clock multiplier, adjust the Vcore voltage, and/or set the AGP bus ratio to 2/3, 2/4, or a fixed frequency of 66MHz.

    The memory bus can also be set to a ratio of between 4x and 7x, to 400MHz or 300MHz, or to Auto - in which case the system determines the appropriate setting.

    Unfortunately, the TH7-II provides no options for adjusting memory timing.

    Finally, a BIOS option allows users the option of deactivating the board's integrated RAID controller.

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