ASRock K7S8XE versus Soltek 75FRN2L ("Golden Flame")
Performance
To compare performances, the following hardware was used:
| Testing hardware |
| Processor |
AMD Athlon XP (Barton), FSB = 166MHz (DDR333) |
| Video card |
Ti4200(315/600) based on the NVidia GeForce4 64Mb chip
nVidia Detonator v40.72 |
| Sound card |
Creative Live 5.1 |
| HDD |
IBM DTLA 307030 30Gb |
| Memory |
2x 256 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM manufactured by Kingston |
| Case |
Inwin506 with PowerMan 300W power supply unit |
| OS |
Windows XP SP1 |
We gauged the performance in the board's toughest mode: FSB set to 166 MHz, the memory frequency = 166 MHz, with the following timings used (for Soltek 75FRN2-L):
- CAS Latency - 2T
- Trp = 2T
- Tras = 5T
- Trcd = 2T
For the ASRock K7S8XE motherboard, I did two series of tests: one with the cheap Kingston memory (CAS = 2, DRAM Timing = "Normal"), the other series with high-quality HyperX memory (CAS = 2, DRAM Timing = "Performance").
Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.
Now on to the gaming benchmarks.
In practically all of the tests, the SiS 748 based motherboard is inferior to that based on the nForce II chipset, whereas in at some applications (to do with memory bandwidth) the lag is quite essential. But as the resolution goes up, the gaming performance practically makes even. This allows regarding the SiS 748 based motherboard as a cheap platform for the gaming computer.
Conclusions
First off, the SiS748 chipset did appeal to me: it offers support for 200 MHz bus, wide options for tuning the memory frequencies and timings, excellent "price/performance" ratio. But the ASRock K7S8XE proved not that attractive: there are BIOS flaws, poor functionality. But from the budget user's viewpoint, this board is very attractive - at its $60 price, it has a basic set of options and at some tests it shows performance on par with nForce II (games in resolutions 1024x768 onwards).
In terms of overclocking, ASRock is absolutely of no interest: the functions to raise processor, memory voltages etc. are completely missing.
As regards to Soltek SL-75FRN2-L, it has almost nothing to complain about. It's the same Soltek SL-75FRN-L except the new chipset revision plus some small enhancements and improvements.
If I faced a dilemma as to which board is better, I would give preference to a system based on the Soltek SL-75FRN2-L motherboard and an Athlon XP1700+ (almost all processors of this type can be configured as 10õ200 = 2000MHz under the nominal voltage). Such a combination would have been cheaper than that with ASRock K7S8XE + Barton (200MHz bus) processor under practically the same performance.
If K7S8XE had overclocking options onboard, the choice wouldn't be as evident. Besides, there is a lot of consumer niches where overclocking is not used and the main factor is the price. In this case, ASRock is a leader and offers optimum choice for various office and home computers.
Conclusion
| ASRock K7S8XE
Pros:
- Low price;
- Good stability;
- Integrated 6.1 audio (ALC650) and LAN;
- Support for the USB2.0 interface (6 ports);
- Hardware protection against overheating - U-COP.
Cons:
- Scanty user's guide;
- A flaw in the rear panel (perhaps it's in the particular specimen);
- Flaws in the BIOS.
The board's specific features:
- Overcloking functions missing.
|
Soltek SL-75FRN2-L
Pros:
- Fantastic exterior;
- Good stability and performance;
- Excellent overclocking results;
- Integrated 6.1 audio (ALC650) and LAN;
- Support for the USB2.0 interface (6 ports);
- Hardware protection against overheating - Soltek ABS II and core temperature measurement.
Cons:
- Minor flaws in the user's manual;
- 4 assembly holes for coolers are missing.
The board's specific features:
- Powerful overclocking functions.
|
Read more on this topic
 Epox 8RDA+ : nForce II
Abit NF7-S : nForce II
Asus A7N8X : nForce II
Soltek 75FRN-L : nForce II
Address all your questions, remarks and suggestions to the conference.
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