Monday, December 04, 2000

Introduction

The Soyo SY-7ISM is a microATX motherboard based on the Intel 815 chipset with an ICH1 Southbridge - which does not support ATA100 drives. While limited to a maximum of 512MB of active memory, the SY-71SM nevertheless seems well equipped for the task of an entry-level system, or acting as the heart of an assembly-line device. By using a chipset that includes an integrated 3D video card, the SY-71SM represents another interesting entry into the all-in-one market. Now with all that said, and out of the way, let's say we get down to the business of analyzing our latest contestant.

The features

The SY-71SM motherboard is expandable via 2 PCI slots, an AGP port, and a CNR slot. There are also 2 168-pin DIMM slots available, which can hold upto 512MB of PC100, or PC133 memory. Obviously, this board is not meant for those who plan on sticking a lot of expansion cards in their system...

Configuration of the SY-71SM is accomplished totally within the confines of the BIOS. Adjustment of the CPU frequency, for instance, is done from within the "Frequency/Voltage Control" menu. The actual range of frequencies that are available is dependant on the actual CPU installed; in the case of a CPU with a 133MHz FSB, it includes 133MHz, 137MHz, 140MHz, and 145MHz. It's also possible to set the memory bus frequency from within the "Chipset Features Setup" menu, to a setting equal to the FSB frequency, Auto, 100MHz, or 133MHz.

No option is provided which would allow for the variation of the processor's core voltage.

Technical details

The CPU socket is badly placed, and doesn't allow for the installation of a large heatsink.

The memory slots are located too close to the AGP port. As a result, the memory retention clips come into contact with the graphics card (if one is installed) when in the open position; this is especially true of memory slot #1.

Eight 1500Mfd, and fourteen 1000Mfd capacitors have been placed around the CPU socket.

The CPU retention lever is made of metal, but is shaped in such a way that it interferes with the installation of the CPU heatsink.

Only two fan connectors available, which is too little in our opinion.

Hardware monitoring is controlled by the internal circuitry of the chipset.

No option is provided for manually assigning the IRQs.

It is possible to reset the BIOS to its last "good" state by hitting the "Insert" key at start-up.

Next: Additional features.