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- Date:
- Wednesday, December 29, 2004
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Intel D925XECV2
The D925XECV2 is Intel’s newest motherboard, pairing the LGA775 socket with official support for the 1066 MHz FSB as well as DDR2 at 533MHz. Read on to find out how this new kid on the block does against its more established brethren.
Introduction
Intel is a world renowned company, known and loved for their CPU, chipset, and motherboard designs. While their motherboards are not the overclocker’s choice, they remain top notch as far as raw speed and rock solid stability go.
The D925XECV2 is Intel’s latest LGA775 based motherboard, showcasing the Intel 925XE chipset. This chipset boasts full support for all LGA775 based processors including the latest release 1066MHz FSB processors, DDR2 RAM operating in Dual Channel mode up to speeds of 533MHz, as well as PCI Express type devices. The D925XECV2 is feature complete, requiring the addition of an LGA775 type processor, DDR2 memory, PCI Express video card, drives, and most importantly the PSU. The D925XECV2 comes standard with the following integrated components: 1 IDE ATA-100 port; 4 SATA-150 ports (RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 capable); 8 USB 2.0 capable ports (4 in rear panel, and 2 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 3 IEEE 1394 capable ports (1 in rear panel, 2 onboard headers supporting 1 port each); Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet jack; Intel High Definition 7.1 channel audio codec featuring S/PDIF RCA and optical output ports; and parallel, serial, and PS/2 port support.
Main Specifications Overview:
CPU | Intel LGA775 based processors |
Chipset | Intel 925XE / ICH6R |
FSB | 1066 / 800 / 533 MHz |
BIOS | AMIBIOS |
Memory | 4 240-pin DDR2 DIMMS, up to 4 GB |
Expansion slots | 1 x PCI-Express x16 slot, 2 x PCI-Express x1 slots, 4 x PCI slots |
Onboard IDE | 1 x ATA 100 port; 4 x SATA 150 ports |
USB 2.0 | 4 rear panel / 2 headers supporting 2 ports (8 ports total) |
IEEE 1394 | 1 rear panel / 2 headers supporting 1 port (3 ports total) |
Audio | 8-Channel Intel High Definition codec with S/PDIF RCA and optical based output ports |
NIC | Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet controller in rear panel |
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
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Board Layout
Intel definitely put some thought into the design of this board, with all components and sockets being far enough away from one another so as not to crowd each other. However, the left side of the DIMM slots are close to the PCI Express x16 slot, causing problems with memory insertion/removal with a video card installed in the system. The stock cooler on the Northbridge is not actively cooled, but should be more than adequate due to the minimal overclocking capabilities available with the board. The board test is clearly marked as a revision 01 board, with the serial number to the left of the model and revision information. Intel chose capacitors from the following manufacturers: United Chemi-Con (USA, Japan), marked as KZE and KZG, and Nichicon (Japan). Those capacitors marked with an F and the number 43517 come from an unknown source.
The CPU socket area is clear of obstructions, and the Northbridge cooler is far enough to the left so as to not get in the way of even the biggest HSF or water block. The mounting method used is the standard four hole LGA775 based design. The passively cooled Northbridge is directly to the left of the CPU socket, with the Northbridge cooler soldered directly to the board. Directly above the Northbridge are the ATX12V connector, a female Molex connector, and the BIOS monitored rear fan header. Intel included this Molex connector onboard in order to alleviate possible power issues when using a standard 20-pin connector ATX power supply with a high power PCI Express video card. The Molex connector provides an extra 12v power supply for the PCI Express x16 port only. Intel recommends that when using a 20-pin ATX PSU, you not only use the ATX and ATX12V power connectors, but the additional 4-pin Molex connector as well. Note that you do not need to use the onboard Molex connector when using an ATX PSU with a 24-pin ATX power connector. The BIOS monitored CPU fan header is located to the lower left of the CPU socket. Notice that the CPU fan header is a four pin header, supporting a fan with either the standard 3 pin connector or the 4 pin connector, which allows for a greater degree of fan control.
The D925XECV2 is equipped with a total of 4 DDR2 DIMM slots, all located below the CPU and Northbridge area. The slots themselves are arranged in a 2 by 2 configuration, color coded between sets to mark proper Dual Channel memory mode DIMM placement. Note the location of the DIMM slots in relation to the PCI Express x16 port. With a longer video card installed, you will definitely have issues installing and removing memory from at least the upper set of DIMM slots. Below the DIMM slots are the IDE ATA-133 port, the floppy port, and the 24-pin ATX power connector. Note that the ATX connector supports both the 24-pin and 20-pin male ATX power connectors.
The ICH6R Southbridge is located below PCI slots 1 and 2, and is covered with a small aluminum heatsink. Unlike the Northbridge cooler, the Southbridge’s heatsink is held to the chip by a wire hold down mechanism that attaches to board mounted metal tabs on opposite sides of the chipset. Directly above the ICH6R chipset are the two onboard IEEE 1394 headers. The ICH6R SATA ports are located below and to the left of the chipset. The BIOS monitor front fan header, the CMOS reset jumper, the BIOS chipset, CMOS battery, and chassis intrusion header are located to the right of the SATA ports. The color coded front panel header is located to the left of the SATA ports, along with a SATA port activity header for front panel LED connection. The two onboard USB 2.0 headers are located directly above the front panel header. To the left of the front panel header is a male Molex connector. This power connector is an auxiliary power connector for powering system fans or LEDs. To the left of the Molex connector is an additional auxiliary power header.
The D925XECV2 has a total of 1 PCI Express x16 slot, 2 PCI Express x1 slots, and 4 PCI slots. Directly below the PCI Express x1 slots in the board’s onboard speaker, with the front panel audio header a bit above and to the left of PCI slot 2. The BIOS monitored aux fan header is located above PCI slot 3. Note that the fan header supports both the 3-pin and 4-pin type fan connectors.
Intel chose to integrate the following ports into the rear panel of the D925XECV2: PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, serial and parallel ports, RCA and optical S/PDIF output ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 IEEE 1394 port, 1 Marvell Gigabit LAN Ethernet port, and 5 analog audio ports.