Tuesday, September 26, 2000

Introduction

To start off, the Gigabyte GA-60XM7E is practically identical to the GA-60XM7. The only actual differences on the 6OXM7E consist of the 4 (rather than 3) DIMM sockets, the Dual BIOS system, and an optional integrated Creative CT5880 sound card, and a handful of other useful functions. By being an ATX format board, though, the GA-60XM7E manages to distinguish itself from the majority of i815E logic-boards we've received for testing of late as most of the previous boards were micro ATX boards.. So then, without further ado, let's take out the magnifying glass, and take a real close look at our newest package - the GA-60XM7E.

The features

The GA-60XM7E is expandable via its 6 PCI slots, AGP port, and single CNR slot; no ISA slots here folks. There are also 4 168-pin DIMM sockets available, which can support upto 512Mbb of PC100, PC133, or VCM memory. Finally, an SCR (Smart Card Reader) connector has also been integrated into the on-board circuitry.

Configuration of the GA-60XM7E is accomplished - for the most part - from within the BIOS, as there are few jumpers related to the functioning of the processor. The only jumpers related to the FSB, for instance, are JP10/11/25. At least the user's manual says they do; but we couldn't find any such jumpers on the board itself. For all intents then, we can pretty much ignore them. Next, we have jumpers JP20/21 - which serve to protect the BIOS, JP5 - which can be used to augment to CPU voltage by 10% (which can increase processor stability when Overclocking), and JP6 - which can be used to increase the voltage fed to the SDRAM. Several other jumpers are also present, but have no relation to the CPU. As for adjusting the latter's operating frequency, one need only head for the BIOS menu labeled "Frequency/Voltage Control". To our surprise, though, the only option we found within this menu was the ability to change the CPUs clock multiplier value. As most of you know, Intel processors come with an internal multiplier lock. Thus, the only way to make use of this option is to install a processor that you know is devoid of such a lock. Within the "Chipset Features Setup" menu, there is an option allowing the memory bus to be independently set to a frequency of either 100MHz, or 133MHz.

Alot of people are going to be quite surprised by the fact that this particular motherboard offers no ability to change the FSB frequency; something we ourselves found quite disheartening. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to pose any practical barrier, as the GA-60XM7E is accompanied by a CD that includes the Easy Tune III app, which not only permits users to Overclock their system, but also test its stability. So, thanks to Gigabyte, Overclocking from the BIOS seems to be a thing of the past....

To get an idea of what's involved in using the Easy Tune program, take a look below for an image of the program in action.

Image not taken from the test board.

Technical details

The space that's been made available for the installation of a heatsink is rather tight, and thus prevents the use of larger coolers.

The memory slots are situated too close to the AGP port, which results in the memory retention clops coming in contact with the graphics card when installing DIMMs.

Around the CPU socket, we find 17 1200mfd capacitors, which is a bit lightweight in our opinion. 1500mfd, or 2200mfd capacitors would have been preferable.

The CPU locking lever is made of plastic. Thus, one has to make sure all the CPU pins are inserted correctly into the socket in order to make sure to avoid breaking of the CPU locking lever.

An SCR is present, which permits the use of magnetic smart cards, such as those used by ATM machines.

The optional Dual BIOS system allows for a greater degree of BIOS security against viral infections.

There are 3 fan connectors available, but the one used for the CPU fan is located so close to the memory slots, that it is important to plug the CPU fan connector before installing any DIMMs.

The hardware monitoring system permits, among other things, the automatic secession of power under certain pre-established circumstances in order to protect installed hardware, and is controlled by a TE IT8712F-A chip.

Finally, an SMBus (System Management Bus) connector is present, and permits a wide range of management features.

Next: Additional features.