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- Date:
- Tuesday , July 13, 2004
- Author:
- Keith Dugger
- Editor:
- Sean Quinn
- Google +1
ABIT AA8 DuraMAX
Hoping to capitalize on the latest technology, ABIT offers PCI Express, DDR2, and the newest socket LGA775 from Intel in the AA8 DuraMAX. Is this just a push for a new flagship, or is the AA8 DuraMAX the board to have?
Introduction
ABIT has remained a mainstay of the DIY crowd and overclocker community who regularly expands the performance envelope. When one has a conversation revolving around the top motherboards available, several models from ABIT are bound to be a part of the discussion.
The AA8 DuraMAX is ABIT’s newest leading-edge technology platform supporting the recently released Prescott LGA775 CPUs from Intel. Including support for the Intel 925X Express chipset combined with DDR2 and PCI Express, the AA8 DuraMAX has the cards for a winning hand.
With support for up to 4 GB of Dual Channel DDR2 533/400 240-pin DIMMs spread across four sockets and ABIT’s usual inclusion of uGuru, the AA8 DuraMAX is certainly armed to satisfy those of us with the need to own the latest gear. It also supports 1 Ultra ATA 100/66/33 port; 4 Serial ATA ports; 8 USB 2.0 ports (4 in Back Panel I/O and 2 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); Gigabit LAN; 7.1 Channel audio; and legacy support for serial, parallel, and PS/2 ports. Don’t forget the additional support for 1 PCI Express x16 and 3 PCI Express x1 slots.
Main Specifications Overview:
CPU | Intel Prescott LGA775 |
Chipset | Intel 925X / ICH6R Express |
FSB | 800 MHz |
BIOS | Phoenix – AwardBIOS |
Memory | 4 x DDR2 240-pin DIMM; up to 4GB Max |
Slots | 1 x PCI Express x16, 3 PCI Express x1, 2 x PCI |
Onboard IDE | 1 x Ultra ATA 100 ports; 4 x Serial ATA RAID 0/1 |
USB 2.0 | 4 rear panel / 2 headers supporting 2 ports each (8 ports total) |
IEEE 1394 | Supports 3 ports |
Graphics | PCI Express x16 |
Audio | 7.1-Channel Intel High Definition Audio |
LAN | Gigabit LAN |
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
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Packaging
The AA8 DuraMAX comes protected in a black box with blue accents along with a shadowy figure shrouded in a hooded cloak pointing out the uGuru potential of the motherboard nestled inside. The packaging is of good design and presents a solid protection mechanism for shipping or storage.
Inside the box are the motherboard and a few included pieces aimed at getting the product installed and operating. Included is the User’s Manual, Quick Installation Guide, uGuru User’s Manual, AA8 Motherboard Jumper Settings case sticker, and the drivers and utilities CD. Further, ABIT includes an 80-wire IDE cable and a floppy cable (both equipped with ABIT pull tabs for easy removal), 4 SATA drive cables, and a Back Panel I/O Shield.
Missing is a SATA power cable, so if you are purchasing a new SATA drive to use with this board, make sure you have the required power cable.
Board Layout
The layout of the AA8 DuraMAX meets the high design standards that typically comes out of the ABIT engineering facility. I only have minor points that I’ll be presenting in concert with the detailed pictures.
The AA8 DuraMAX relies on capacitors from the highly stable Rubycon (Japan) marked MBZ, YXG, and ZL.
The area immediately surrounding the new LGA775 CPU socket is almost free of issue.
Along the right side are two capacitors that may impede custom HSF or waterblock installation. However, these did not get in the way of the very large OEM HSF from Intel. The HSF hold-down mechanism is the new LGA775 standard from Intel and utilizes 4 push-and-turn pins at each corner. This design is much easier to install and de-install than the previous P4 standard cage.
As you can see, the LGA775 socket features the new layout with the pins on the socket (land-grid-array) versus on the chip itself. This requires the metal-framed cage that closes down over the top of the CPU and a spring lever that holds it all in place. I like this design over the previous ZIF socket, but take note to be careful as the pins on the socket are sensitive to bending and this could result in a non-functioning board.
The North Bridge chip (Intel 925X Express) is thermally protected by an active aluminum heat sink and fan. Of interest is the location of the fan itself. With a HSF installed, this fan is in direct proximity to an extremely high source of heat. This didn’t seem to matter in our testing, but might need some attention during overclocking.
Just behind the Back Panel I/O assembly are the two yellow USB-PWR1 and USB-PWR2 jumpers. To the far right (behind the legacy PS/2 ports) is the ATXPWR2 (ATX12V) connector tucked neatly out of the way.
Four color-coded DIMM slots bring the total Dual Channel support to 4GB of DDR2 533/400 240-pin memory. To stay within ABIT’s dual channel support, install either: 2 sticks of like DIMMS in either slots DIMM1/DIMM3 OR DIMM2/DIMM4; or 4 sticks maintaining like pairs in slots DIMM1/DIMM3 AND DIMM2/DIMM4.
The CPU 3-pin fan connector labeled CPUFAN1 is located just to the right of DIMM1 while the ATXPWR1 connector falls below DIMM4. Note that this is the new standard 24-pin power connector. This will still support power supplies with the typical 20-pin connector, but be sure to note proper orientation during installation. Off to the right of the ATX power connector is an auxiliary monitored fan labeled AUXFAN2.
The corner housing the Intel ICH6R Express South Bridge (passively protected by an anodized HS) contains the BIOS and uGuru chips, the CMOS battery, and LED diagnostics. The single IDE and four SATA connectors frame the CMOS battery just below the South Bridge. The CMOS clear jumper-block features a tabbed jumper making a reset fairly painless. Above the South Bridge is the front panel headers for the IEEE 1394 (red) and USB 2.0 (blue) connections.
Beginning at the bottom left edge is the front panel I/O connectors and the Guru Clock connector (available separately). Further up the left, are the floppy drive and system monitored AUXFAN1 3-pin fan connectors.
Taking advantage of all the latest technology while still supporting legacy platforms, ABIT offers two PCI slots, three PCI Express x1 I/O slots, and one PCI Express x16 graphics slots. Something of interest is a motherboard label and trace for a third power connector (labeled ATXPWR3) that isn’t installed. Is this a hint at future power requirements still to come? The final system monitored fan (SYSFAN1) is available in the far upper-left corner.
At the top edge are the CD audio and front-panel audio connectors as well as the Realtek audio chip.
The Back Panel I/O includes expected support for: 1 each Keyboard and Mouse PS/2 ports, 4 USB2.0 ports, 1 Parallel port, 1 Serial port (COM1), 1 RJ45 LAN port, 1 IEEE 1394 port, S/PDIF In and Out ports, and the two rear audio towers (Surround Left / Surround Right, Rear Left / Rear Right, Center / Subwoofer).
Included System Applications
ABIT included a system monitoring application, ABIT EQ, which will display current temperatures, voltages and fan RPMs. You can enable or disable monitoring of each function and tell ABIT EQ whether or not to shutdown based on the presence of an error state.
The ABIT OC Guru is an overclocking utility to help minimize the pitfalls associated with overclocking. If the system locks up due to an unsuccessful OC, simple reboot and the system will be reinstated to its previous optimized setting.
ABIT includes three pre-set clock changes: Turbo, Normal, and Quiet. Also available are three user defined settings allowing you to have unique and customized settings available for multiple operations.
Included with the AA8 DuraMAX is a Windows-based BIOS flashing utility called FlashMenu.
Additionally, ABIT includes a system setting gathering utility, the BlackBox, to help the user gather information to guide ABIT technical support to a solution.