nForce4 family chipsets in ASUS motherboards
nForce4 Ultra in ASUS A8N-E
Specifications:
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Supported processors
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- AMD Athlon 64FX / Athlon 64 / Athlon X2 for Socket 939
- Support for AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology
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Chipset
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NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra
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HyperTransport
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2000 MT/s, 1600 MT/s
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System memory
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- 4 184-pin DIMM connectors, max. 4Gb
- DDR400/DDR333/DDR266 ECC/non-ECC un-buffered DDR SDRAM modules
- Dual-channel memory architecture
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Expansion capabilities
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- 1x PCI Express x16 connector
- 1x PCI Express x4 connector (maximum speed up to 1 GB/s)
- 2x PCI Express x1
- 3x PCI Bus Master
- 10 USB2.0 ports (4 integrated + 6 additional)
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Disk subsystem
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Provided by nForce4:
- 4 x SATA II;
- 2 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33;
- NVRAID: RAID0, RAID1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD with the possibility to merge SATA and PATA disks.
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Network controller
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Integrated into nForce4 1 Gbit MAC
- NV ActiveArmor
- NV Firewall
- AI NET2
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Audio
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Realtek ALC850, 8-channel CODEC
Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF outputs to I/O-panels
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Functions of ASUS AI Proactive
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AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)
AI NET2 network diagnosis before entering OS
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Overclocking tools
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AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)
AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
ASUS PEG Link
Fine tuning:
- vDIMM: 9-step DRAM voltage control
- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 increment
- SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection): FSB adjustable within 200 MHz to 400 MHz in 1 MHz increments;
- PCIe frequency: within 100 MHz to 200 MHz in 1 MHz increments.
PCIe/PCI/SATA frequencies fixed ratio.
ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
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Additional BIOS features
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ASUS EZ Flash
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2
ASUS Q-Fan
ASUS MyLogo2
ASUS Multilanguage BIOS
ASUS Instant Music
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Input/output port panel
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1 x Optical + 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Output
1 x PS/2 Keyboard + 1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x Parallel (PLT)
1 x RJ45 (Lan)
4 x USB
8-Channel Audio I/O
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Internal connectors
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3 x USB 2.0 connectors for additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
1 x COM connector
1 x GAME/MIDI connector
CPU Fan / 2x Chassis Fan/ Power Fan/ Chipset Fan connectors
Front panel audio connector
Chassis Intrusion connector
CD audio-in connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
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Form Factor
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ATX, 12"x 9.6"(305 mm x 245 mm)
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The box for A8N-E almost makes no difference from that of the previous model. Only the inscription identifies what is inside.
Inside, the package bundle is more abundant! It contains even more than needed for a value system: four SATA cables and two power supply adapters thereto, two IDE UDMA 66/100 cables, and a cable to plug in a disk drive.
Besides, the bundle contains three additional panels of connectors: a strap for a COM port, a strap for two USB ports, and a combined one for two USB and a GAME port.
The set of documentation is richer either.
From the exterior side, the board is the same as A8N5X, with the only difference under the radiator - the nForce4 Ultra radiator. Let's try looking at that under the PCB from a bit different angle of view.
The chipset is cooled by absolutely the same ASUS cooler with a pretty fast fan.
The power supply control module is also cooled by a radiator.
The board allows plugging in 5 fans although there are merely three vacant connectors because one is taken by the system of cooling the chipset and one (left on the photo) is meant to cool the processor. Having an additional connector for a fan in the upper part of the board may prove useful for those whose housing allows installing an additional fan on the upper cover.
There is one issue with the PCB - connectors are piled all in one place. Here, all audio communications and a connector for plugging in the fan for the rear panel of the housing (to blow air out) are gathered. To facilitate using the settings in such an awkward spot, there are "handles" on the jumpers.
Six more USB ports have been brought over to the bottom part of the board. In view of the package bundle and that almost all modern housings offer an integrated panel for input/output ports, the board provides plugging in over 8 USB ports. If that is not enough, you would have to buy a hub or an additional panel with ports, but for most users that is unlikely.
To use the sound, the ALC850 chip made by RealTek is used that allows playing back 8-channel audio.
The panel of input/output ports again lacks a FireWire which is there only in the more expensive Deluxe version of the board.
In the BIOS, it is also hard to find differences.
Unfortunately, the latest BIOS version failed to correctly launch overclocker-friendly memory modules by SPD, so we had to tune all the settings manually.
The section dealing with setting up integrated peripherals offers all the necessary options and is intuitive for most users without any documentation.
The overclocking options are the same as in A8N5X, and the overclocking capability hasn't changed either. The maximum result of stable operation is again 2500 MHz.
This board offers more pluses than minuses.
Pros: support for SATA II hard disks, hardware firewall, excellent package bundle, affordable price, good overclocking capability.
Cons: lack of IEEE 1394; if the controller were there, the board would be ideal for most users.
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