![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Monday , September 08, 2003
- Author:
- Keith Dugger
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
ASUS P4P800S-E Wireless Edition
ASUS adds an enhanced entry to their new value line. This mainboard has everything you need for a wireless access point in the box. Does the i848 chipset have the performance that will draw a crowd?
Introduction
ASUS is undeniably one of the top motherboard manufacturers and a favorite of overclockers and tweakers the world over. The quality that ASUS delivers is top-notch coupled with stability and extreme speed. The new P4P800S line utilizes Intel’s new 848P and is designed for the speed and cost-conscious consumer looking for Prescott support in an entry model product. ASUS boosts this line by adding built-in 802.11b wireless in the package of the P4P800S-E Wireless Edition (referenced herein as P4P800S-E).
In building a cost-friendly package, ASUS includes some features that are typically found in flagship models. The P4P800S-E offers support for the following: DDR400 (single channel), Intel Gigabit LAN, SATA RAID 0 and 1 (via the ICH5R), AGP 3.0 (8X), and the Wi-Fi@HOME wireless solution (includes 802.11b card, external omni-directional antenna, and free Software AP for XP only).
Main Specifications Overview:
CPU | Pentium 4 / Celeron / Prescott |
Chipset | Intel 848P MCH and Intel ICH5R |
FSB | 800/533/400 MHz |
BIOS | AMI BIOS |
Memory | 3 x 184-pin DDR DIMM PC3200/PC2700/PC2100, 2GB max. |
Expansion Slots | 1 x AGP 8X, 5 x PCI, 1 x Wi-Fi |
Storage | 2 x UltraDMA 100/66 connections, 2 x Serial ATA connectors support RAID 0,1 function |
USB | 4 onboard, 4 optional. USB 2.0 |
AI Audio | ADI AD1985 SoundMAX 6-channel audio CODEC, S/PDIF out interface |
AI Net | Intel CSA 82547EI 1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller |
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
|
|
Board Layout
I have always been a fan of box art coming out of ASUS and this one is over the top. Take a look for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.
ASUS packed the attractive P4P800S-E box with plenty of necessities, including: 2 SATA drive cables, 1 SATA Y power adapter, 2 80-wire ATA133 cables (including pull-tabs and ASUS logo), a standard 40-pin drive cable, a standard floppy cable, 1 USB port Bracket, 1 IEEE 1394 Bracket, a Back Panel I/O Shield, and a bag of jumpers. Furthermore, ASUS threw in a motherboard User Guide, Wi-Fi User Guide, Quick Setup Guide, and a CD to get us through any installation issues. Finally, ASUS included the WiFi@HOME 802.11b card and external omni-directional antenna.
The P4P800S-E follows the design of many ASUS motherboards. With ample room to work and a well-planned layout, this board is practically issue free. ASUS went with capacitors from Illinois Capacitor Inc. (USA), United Chemi-Con (USA, Japan), and Taiwan Ostor Corporation (Taiwan).
The clearances around the CPU socket are perfect for the Intel OEM HSF cage. If one were to install an aftermarket HSF that was larger than the Intel specification, the row of short capacitors above the socket area could pose an issue.
Above and to the left of the CPU socket area is the ATX12V power connector. One of the two USB device wake-up jumpers comes in just to the left of this power connector. The 848P MCH comes in to the left of the CPU socket area and dons a black anodized aluminum passive HS. It is connected to the board via two springs (one on each side) that connect to metal loops on the motherboard itself allow HS removal without taking the board out of the case. At the lower, right corner of the CPU mounting cage is the 3-pin CPU fan connector.
The P4P800S-E offers three DIMM slots in the lower-right hand quadrant of the board well out of reach of long graphics accelerators. This chipset only support Single Channel DDR at a limit of 2GB. The ATX power connector is just below the DIMM slots and poses a pro/con issue. The location itself is convenient to common power supply orientation, but without proper cable routing will hamper air flow a bit. The primary & secondary IDE and floppy connectors fall at the bottom of the board in a very good location for most cases. To the left of these connectors is the 3-pin chassis fan connector.
The South Bridge on the P4P800S-E is powered by the favorable Intel ICH5R chipset. Tapping into some of the ICH5R power is the two SATA connectors just below the South Bridge and next to the Flash ROM. Locations for two additional IDE ports (maybe for RAID support in an enhanced version) are noticeably empty. The lower left corner is home to the front case connector block and an additional serial port (COM2). Following the line up the left side is the SMBus and the chassis intrusion alarm connectors. The orange connector above that is for the GAME1 Bracket and the additional IEEE 1394 Bracket is plugged into the red connector. To the right of these blocks are the CMOS battery and the Clear RTC RAM jumper. This board supports the C.P.R (CPU Parameter Recall) feature that will alleviate most CMOS clear needs. If the system locks up due to an incorrect BIOS setting, simply power down and reboot. This feature will allow the BIOS to automatically revert back to default values enabling a successful boot. The additional USB connectors are just to the right of the battery as well as their corresponding USB device wake up jumpers.
ASUS includes 5 PCI, 1 AGP, and 1 Wi-Fi slots on the P4P800S-E. As a note, when the Wi-Fi@HOME card is installed in the Wi-Fi slot, PCI slot 5 is not useable. The AGP slot uses the preferred sliding card latching mechanism to stabilize the graphics accelerator in transit.
The VIA VT6307 IEEE 1394 controller is just above PCI slot 5 and to its right are the S/PDIF and front panel audio connectors. The SoundMAX audio CODEC is just above PCI slot 3 and is placed just to the left of the MODEM1, CD1, and AUX1 connectors. The Gigabit CSA Intel controller chip rounds out the component placement across the top row in this picture.
The first port tower on the Back Panel I/O is home to the PS/2 keyboard and mouse connections. The parallel port, S/PDIF jack, and serial port comes next followed by one IEEE 1394 and two USB 2.0 ports. Next to these is the Gigabit LAN port above two additional USB 2.0 ports and, lastly, are the audio jacks.