![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Thursday , January 09, 2003
- Author:
- Sean Pelletier
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Chaintech Zenith 7NJS Review
What does the word Zenith mean? Should the 7NJS be any hint or indication, it likely is another word for performance as this board has turned in some spectacular results using the new nForce2 chipset from NVIDIA.
BIOS
The Chaintech 7NJS utilizes the AwardBIOS to provide a clear and simple means to navigate through the motherboard’s options. Though the format is very clean and easy to use, this BIOS does not lack any functionality. Rather, this particular BIOS proves to be loaded with a number of features and settings rarely seen in today’s motherboards.
Heading into the "Advanced Chipset Features" section as seen in the first image directly above, we encounter the most powerful settings within the system. Here, we find a number of settings which ultimately govern the overall speed and stability of the system. An interesting feature of this BIOS is the ability to limit the amount of functionality and control the user has by several degrees. Those who might not have as much experience as they would like can choose one of the “safer” selections to ensure that the chosen values are reasonable and will not have any negative repercussions with respect to the system. Of course, we here at HardOCP like to learn the [H]ard way, so all constraints were lifted to give me every opportunity to hurt this motherboard.
Using the latest BIOS revision, I was pleased to see that the Chaintech motherboard unlocked the multipliers on the Athlon XP 2400+ by default. Having been spared the task of closing the bridges certainly gives users one less reason to not push their system to the limits with overclocking. The 7NJS provides nearly any multiplier imaginable, covering a range from three all the way up to twenty. Looking at the last image in the row above, one can clearly see that the order of these multipliers begins to go haywire after the 10.5 setting. Regardless, each multiplier was able to be selected without issue.
Progressing to the memory frequency setting, we encounter a somewhat unusual set of possible settings. In addition to the option of controlling memory frequencies purely by SPD detection, the user has the ability to make the memory frequency proportional to the FSB frequency. Although this method seems to be a bit more complicated than necessary, the resulting memory frequency is displayed on the following line. However, given our past experiences, the most desirable setting is the “synchronous” mode, which will match the FSB frequency. Users looking to increase either performance or stability can alter the memory timings. Here, there are more than enough options to cover even the most high-performance memory modules.
Raising processor and memory frequencies can certainly call for a healthy boost of voltage. Fortunately, Chaintech has given enthusiasts plenty of headroom for this very reason. As seen in the image above, the BIOS allows users to raise the DIMM voltage up to a potentially dangerous 3.2V. Moving to the processor voltage settings, we find that Chaintech has provided a great deal of options here as well. In this case, the user has the option to run as much as 2.15V to the processor, which is well above the stock voltage. For those aiming to get every last drop of performance out of their system, the BIOS allows the AGP voltage to be raised up to 2V. Should the graphics card become unstable during overclocking, this boost in voltage could be enough to solve the issue to an extent. Increasing voltage is one area where individuals should pay a great deal of attention, as increasing voltages can dramatically raise CPU temps and can potentially ruin expensive components if the voltage levels are excessive and proper precautions are not taken. The majority of the extreme settings for these categories are intended for hardcore overclockers using vapor, phase, or water-cooled systems.
Chaintech has done their best to ensure that the system’s health is never in jeopardy. Here, they have implemented a thorough hardware monitoring system which is set to protect the pricey components in the system. Referencing the image above, we find the usual sequence of voltage and temperature polling. There is, however, also a processor temperature threshold which is set to prevent any thermal runaway should a heatsink fan fail or the heatsink assembly not be assembled correctly. In doing so, a valuable processor can be saved from a painful death.
It should be noted that throughout testing all readings proved to be solid and stable with the exception of one. For some reason, the CPU temperature sensor does not appear to be as accurate as one would like. Going through various forums, it appears as though this is a common complaint. Despite this fact, I encountered no adverse effects and was still able to gauge performance by monitoring the "smart" fan's RPM reading for the heatsink assembly.