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**click to enlarge**
NVIDIA’s first entry into the chipset market
produced a mixed bag. While it was much anticipated and ballyhooed, the nForce
was not the VIA killer that many prophets thought it would be. While some
interesting technology was developed, the original nForce was relegated to
second tier status by computer enthusiasts worldwide. NVIDIA’s new offering,
the nForce2 has also been released with much of the same fanfare that its
predecessor experienced, but what a difference a year makes! By all accounts
the nForce2 is the read deal. Many are calling the nForce2, the best
performing Athlon solution ever devised.
Today, ExtremeMhz will take a look at the Chaintech 7NJS “Zenith Series”
motherboard which features the nForce2 chipset.
**click to enlarge**
The Bundle
If
Chaintech was referring to the bundled hardware included with the 7NJS when
they conceived the name “Zenith Series”; they were certainly correct in doing
so. We have never seen so many accessories packaged with a motherboard.
The packaging is top notch. The box, complete with carrying handles is
attractive and immediately introduces the user to the black and yellow color
scheme that is distinctly Chaintech.
**click to enlarge**
Another characteristic that distinguishes
Chaintech from the rest of the pack in terms of packaging is the anti-shock,
anti-static enclosure that encapsulates the motherboard.
**click to enlarge**
Chaintech made us feel like
the proverbial “kids in a candy store”.
**click to enlarge**
Another interesting accessory that Chaintech includes is a CBOX2 Kit which
provides access to firewire, USB, and audio ports. Additionally, this unit
monitors system temperatures fan speeds, and voltages, while providing full
diagnostic support when booting.
The remainders of the bundled items include round floppy and IDE cables,
serial ATA cables, and additional audio hardware. If that weren’t enough a
case badge and key chain are also included.
Product Specifications
The specs direct from
Chaintec’s site:
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Hardware |
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CPU: AMD Socket A
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System: Frequency
200/266/333MHz FSB
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Chipset: NVIDIA
nForce2 SPP + MCP-T
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Memory: (3) DDR SDRAM
DIMMs (3GB)
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Physical |
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Form Factor ATX
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Dimensions 305mm x
230mm
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Expansion |
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Internal upgrade slots
(5) PCI, (1) AGP, (1) ACR
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IDE Bus (2) Ultra
DMA-66/100/133 connectors
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IDE RAID (1) Ultra
DMA-66/100/133 connector
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Serial ATA (2) Ultra
DMA-150 connectors
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AV Subsystems |
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Video 8X AGP
Audio CMedia 8738 / 6ch
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CPU |
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Supports AMD Socket A
Duron/Athlon/Athlon XP CPU
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System clock supports
200/266/333MHz
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Chipset |
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NVIDIA nForce2 SPP +
MCP-T
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Main Memory |
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Three 184 pin DDR
DIMMs up to 3GB
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Supports
PC1600/2100/2700/3200 Dual-Channel DDR modules
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Expansion Slots |
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One universal-AGP slot
for both 4X/8XAGP
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Five 32-Bit PCI slots
(v2.2 compatible)
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One ACR slot supports
modem, audio, LAN, Dolby AC3 Decoder or IEEE1394 adaptor
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Audio Subsystem |
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Full-duplex operation
for simultaneous recording and playback
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6 Channel speaker
audio supports
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Embedded 32OHM 5w
earphone amplifier
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Supports MIDI and dual
game ports
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32 Voice HRTF 3D
positional audio, CRL 3D supports MS Direct
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Sound3D, Aureal A3D
and Creative EAX APIs
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Support SPDIF
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Video Subsystem |
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UltraDMA IDE Ports |
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Supports two IDE ports
up to 4 ATAPI devices
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Supports PIO Mode 4 up
to 16.6MBps, Multi Mode 4 up to 66MBps, Multi Word Mode 5 up to 100MBps
and Multi Word Mode 6 up to 133MBps with Bus Mastering
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Bus-Mastering software
drivers for all common multi-tasking
operating systems
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Embedded USB Controller |
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Embedded USB1.1/2.0
Controller
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Three EHCI USB 2.0
Controller support total 6 USB 2.0/1.1 Ports
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Support USB 2.0
High-Speed Device @480 Mb/s Transfer Rates
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On Board Super I/O
Controller |
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ITE 8712 LPC I/O with
system monitors hardware
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Two UARTs support
serial ports and IR function (up to 115.2Kbps) for HPSIR and ASKIR
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One SPP/ECP/EPP
parallel port
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One floppy disk drive
connector supports up to 2.88MB
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Integrates smart card
reader function and interface, to be qualified for meeting PC/SC
standard
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Embedded system
monitoring |
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8 external voltage
inputs
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2 temperature sensing
for CPU and system
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2 Fan speed (CPU and
system) monitoring with on/off control in suspend
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Boot-Block Flash ROM |
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Award system BIOS
support PnP, APM, DMI, ACPI, & Multi-device
booting features
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Software |
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Driver CD (Chipset
Autodetect)
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Value Pack 2002
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DigiDoc System
Monitoring Utility
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Other Feature |
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Three 3x1 pin fan
connector
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2x1 pin fan connector
with housing for Northbridge
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Two 5x2 pin USB
connectors for optional 4 front side USB2.0/1.1 ports
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6x2 pin Infrared
connector
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3x1 pin wake on LAN
connector with housing
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3x1 pin wake on Modem
connector with housing
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Two 4x1 pin CD-in
connectors with 2.54mm pitch housing
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4x1 pin Aux-in
connector with 2mm pitch housing
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5x2 pin SPDIF
connector (optional)
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4x2 pin woofer/center
connector for 6-channel audio
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5x2 pin front side
audio connector
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9x2 pin front panel
connector
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7x2 pin Smart Card
Reader connector
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5x2 pin Segment
display connector for 2-digits Debug LED
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17x2 pin floppy
connector
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Fast Ethernet/Home
Networking Controller with MII Interface
- Support 10/100Mb Fast Ethernet or 1/10Mb HomePNA 2.0 with
External PHY
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