Motherboard ASUS P4V800-X architecture

Evgenie Rudometov,

Victor Rudometov

http://www.rudometov.com

On the basis of chip set VIA PT800 ASUSTeK corporation develops and releases motherboard ASUS P4V800-X oriented to creation of efficient computer systems which basis is made by processors of Intel of NetBurst architecture with processing technique Hyper-Threading and bus FSB of type QPB with clock rate to 200 MHz, providing data transfer with frequency to 800 MHz.

ASUSTeK corporation products thanks to the excellence and wide functionality well-known also are popular among domestic users. This corporation already long time takes the upper positions in the list of manufacturers of motherboards, both under incomes, and on number of released cards. Bole that, the quantity of products of this group permanently increases, and the corporation persistently aspires to save the lead in the given sector of the computer market.

Among the motherboards created under processors of the corporation of Intel, are present not only the products grounded on chip sets of the same corporation, but also the card with chipsets of system logic from its competitors whom VIA corporation concerns. As an example of such products it is possible to result recently released motherboard ASUSP4V800-X. A basis of this card is chip set VIAPT800.

Motherboard ASUSP4V800-X is oriented to development of efficient desktop personal computers. This card allows to realise advantages of the architecture of processors of Intel of Pentium 4 with processing technique Hyper-Threading and kernel Northwood (semiconducting tehprotsess 0,13 microns, the cache memory of second level L2 in size of 512 Kbytes). High efficiency of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X is reached thanks to support of the processor bus with a transmission frequency of the given 800 MHz and DDR400 units of a subsystem of dynamic storage DDRSDRAM. The given support is carried out by the built in resources of chip set VIAPT800 on which parametres functionality of all computer system substantially depends.

Chip set VIAPT800 of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X

Fig. 1. Structure of the computer created on the basis of chip set VIAPT800

Chip set VIA PT800 of VIA Technologies corporation, Inc. (VIA corporation) it is oriented by the manufacturer of the given chipset of system logic to the architecture of high-powered desktop personal computers. This set represents development of the architecture before released chip set VIA P4X400.

Chip set VIAPT800 supports systems with processors of Intel of Pentium 4 (512 Kbytes of the cache memory of the second level) with processing technique Hyper-Threading. The given processors created on processing technique of 0,13 microns (kernel Northwood), are hooked up through Socket 478 plug which has become by the standard standard and work with bus FSB of type QPB (Quad-Pumped Bus) which clock rate for the given chip set can make 200, 133 or 100 MHz. It provides predachu data with frequencies, accordingly, 800, 533, 400 MHz, and addresses — 400, 266, 200 MHz.

Chip set VIA PT800 consists of two traditional components — NorthBridge PT800 and South Bridge VT8237. These components are jointed by the special firm bus 8X V-Link to the capacity of 533 Mb per second developed and inserted in the products by VIA corporation. The given bus allows, according to its implementators, to use all potential of controllers of peripheral devices of the computer system.

NorthBridge component is presented by the appropriate chip containing, as all similar units, resources of interfaces of operation with the processor, AGP videoadapter, dynamic storage units, and also with chip South Bridge of a chip set. Link with the enumerated units is carried out by means of specialised buses.

Built in chip NorthBridge of chip set VIAPT800 the memory controller provides support: memories of type DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM — SDRAM with data transfer on lobbies and back edges of clock pulses of the bus of memory), memory modules DDR400/333/266, a maximum memory size — to 8 Gbytes, a mode of error correction ECC.

The built in controller of a drawing supports one arrangement 0,8/1,5 In AGP 3.0, working in modes AGP 8Х/4Х. Thus AGP 8X (AGP 3.0) is the advanced specification for hooking up of high-powered videoadapters. On a plan of implementators and designers of a chip set the built in resources urged to output operation of the videoadapter and system on new level, providing high capacity between them — to 2,12 Gbytes/with.

South Bridge VT8237 component which are a part of chip set VIAPT800, is characterised by a complete set of the network and communication characteristics which have become standard for similar units of the modern architecture of computers. Built in in South Bridge VT8237 controllers realise two channels IDE with support ATA 33/66/100 (to four arrangements IDE), two ports Serial ATA 150 with possibilities RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, eight ports USB 2.0, six PCI (32 bits/33 of MHz), LPC (Low Pin Count). Its other characteristics concern integrated VIA MAC for 10/100Mbps Ethernet, integrated support PCI, 6 or 8-channel sound Surround Sound AC ' 97 and MC ' 97 modem. Support of the expanded control functions energopotrebleniem is besides, provided, including ACPI/OnNow

Considering link of chip sets VIA PT800 and VIA P4X400 the table with comparative characteristics of the given chipsets of system logic is more low resulted.

Table 1. Comparative characteristics of chip sets VIA PT800 and VIA P4X400

The main technical parametres of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X

Fig. 2. Motherboard ASUSP4V800-X package

Fig. 3. Motherboard ASUSP4V800-X

Fig. 4. Motherboard ASUS P4V800-X plugs

The processor

·        support of processors of Intel of Pentium 4 (512 Kbytes L2) in 478-contact tank mPGA, with clock rate to 3,2 GHz +, processing technique Hyper-Threading and with bus FSB of type QPB providing transmission frequencies of data 800, 533, 400 MHz,

·        support of processors of Intel Celeron in 478-contact tank mPGA.

Chip set

·       VIA PT800 (North Bridge) and VIAVT8237 (South Bridge).

Dynamic storage

·        three plugs for dynamic storage DDR SDRAM in konstruktive DIMM (184 contact electrodes, 2,5 In, unbuffered, without ECC);

·        units of type DDR 400, DDR333, DDR266, maximum size of a subsystem of memory — to 3 Gbytes (for DDR 400 — to 2 Gbytes with support a maximum of two DIMM plugs);

·        support of DDR SDRAM units in size 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 Mb.

Video

·        one general-purpose 1,5 plug or 0,8 In AGP 3.0 with support of mode AGP 8X/4X/Pro.

Audio

·        an audiosubsystem on the basis of ADI corporation codec — AD1980 6-channel audio CODEC with support of interface S/PDIF.

LAN

·        the integrated network controller of Realtek corporation — RTL8201BL 10/100 Mbps LAN PHY with an output on standard RJ45 plug.

USB

·        a maximum eight USB 2 plugs.

Interfaces of disk drives

·        two connectors Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33;

·        two connectors Serial ATA 150 c implementation of possibilities RAID 0, RAID 1;

·        one Floppy port (supports arrangements in size to 2,88 Mb).

System BIOS

·        AMI BIOS, 4 Mбит Flash EEPROM;

·        ACPI, PnP, DMI 2.0, ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS MyLogo2.

Slots

·        one AGP slot, five PCI slots.

Peripherals plugs external

·        one PS/2 plug of the keyboard;

·        one PS/2 plug of the mouse;

·        one parallel port (Parallel);

·        one serial port (COM);

·        four USB 2.0 plugs;

·        one RJ45 plug;

·        one S/PDIF Out plug;

·        audioplugs (Line-In, Mic-In, Line-Out).

Peripherals plugs internal

·        two USB 2.0 plugs for four additional ports USB;

·        plugs for cooling fans CpU/Korpus;

·        20/4-контактные plugs for power supply unit ATX;

·        CD/AUX plugs;

·        GAME/MIDI plugs.

Monitoring of hardware

·        monitoring of powers and temperatures.

Form factor

·        ATX, the sizes 30,5 x 19,3 see

Structure of a package of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X

Into package structure enter:

·        a box;

·        motherboard ASUS P4V800-X;

·        a compact disc with drivers and utilities;

·        the user manual in English;

·        the cover plate of input/output corresponding to specification ATX;

·        cable Floppy-dikovoda;

·        cable UltraDMA 133/100/66;

·        two cables Serial ATA 150;

·        firm stickers.

Fig. 5. The description of the architecture and the firm processing techniques, presented on a box with motherboard ASUS P4V800-X

Estimating entirety and quality of a package of motherboard ASUS P4V800-X, it is necessary to mark, as in this case the given help documentation amazes with the entirety. This documentation allows not only to familiarise with potential possibilities of the motherboard, but also renders the essential help in customisation of hardware-software resources of the computer.

Features of the architecture and design of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X

The design of motherboard ASUSP4V800-X as a whole corresponds to referens-design of similar products. However has also certain features, characteristic for some cards from ASUSTeK corporation of the last releases. But about it a little bit more low.

Fig. 6. Motherboard ASUS P4V800-X structure

Motherboard ASUSP4V800-X in correspondence from VIA corporation is oriented by positioning of a used chip set to application in rather high-powered computer systems. Thus in the systems created on the basis of the given card, usage of processors of Intel of Pentium 4 with processing technique Hyper-Threading and the bus of 800 MHz providing reaching maximum now of a performance level of computers with processors of the corporation of Intel of NetBurst architecture is recommended  .

However, except topovyh models of processors, usage and less efficient variants is possible. It can be, for example, the processors calculated for bus FSB of type QPB with a transmission frequency of the given 533 MHz and even of 400 MHz. Thus together with motherboard ASUSP4V800-X probably, of course, application of models and without support of processing technique Hyper-Threading. Moreover, together with this card can be maintained as well models of processors of Intel Celeron though, it is necessary to recognise, that it does not provide the high levels of the productivity accessible to more efficient variants of processors and the given motherboard.

One more path of rise of productivity — usage of high-speed models of dynamic storage. Memory of the newest and fastest standard DDR400 (PC3200) possesses capacity to 3,2 Gb/with, providing the raised productivity of system. Thus operation of memory modules DDR SDRAM can be or synchronous — clock rate coincides with frequency FSB, or asynchronous — clock rate differs from frequency FSB. It is set in BIOS Setup — SDRAM Frequency.

Support of the system bus of 800 MHz and memories DDR 400, guarantees reaching of high efficiency for the systems created on the basis of motherboard P4V800-X.

It is necessary to add, that the built in resources of the motherboard allow to change a standard set tajmingov memory modules.

The modern computer is not thought any more without the developed multimedia possibilities. One of making multimedia are audioresources. AC ' 97 audio-codec ADI AD1980 provides playback volume 5.1 sounds on 6 channels in a dynamic range more than 90 db.

Possibilities of dispersal are not ignored also. Clock rate of the processor can be changed over a wide range: from 100 MHz to 400 MHz with step 1 MHz. Processing technique ASUS Jumper-Free uses. There is a possibility of correction of power both for the central processor unit, and for memory modules. Ratio CPU/DDR varies also. Well and as it is accepted in the architecture of modern motherboards, despite a variation of values of the enumerated parametres, there is a possibility of arresting of frequency of buses AGP and PCI, that promotes rise of stability of system at usage of modes of dispersal, especially in their extremal manifestations.

Fig. 7. Chip NorthBridge of chip set VIAPT800 with resources of cooling and the processor plug of standard Socket 478

The southern bridge VIA VT8237 which is a part VIA PT800, allows the user to build RAID 0, 1 arrays of two disks Serial ATA 150. Here it is necessary to remind, that Serial ATA is the standard ATA of a new generation providing scaled productivity, necessary for problem solving both today's, and tomorrow. Possessing capacity in 150 Mb per second, Serial ATA faster present traditional standard Parallel ATA, possessing thus 100 % a software compatibility with the last.

Network controller Realtek RTL8201BL is built in the motherboard architecture 10/100 Mbps LAN PHY. This network controller allows to hook up easily through built in RJ-45 plug the computer to a local area network or the broad-band Internet channel, giving the chance to participate, for example, in network games, not being spent on acquisition of an additional map of the extension.

Fig. 8. A battery for CMOSBIOS, chip NorthBridge, two SerialATA plugs and the plug for a floppy disk

Support to 8 ports of standard USB 2.0 is provided . Here it is necessary to remind, that USB 2.0 — the advanced standard bus for hooking up of arrangements of a new generation. Providing return compatibility with arrangements USB 1.1, bus USB 2.0 in forty times faster the predecessor. Speed USB  2.0 makes 480 Mbit/with while USB  1.1 — 12 Mbit/with, therefore USB  2.0 is ideal solution for interconnection of arrangements on the big transfer rates.

In the architecture of a firmware of motherboard ASUS P4V800-X resources of rise of dependability and stability of operation of the computer system created on the basis of this card are provided. Even in case of glitch or loss of the information which sometimes occur by operation BIOS, processing technique ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 allows to reboot and fulfil intellectual function of selfrecovery BIOS with the help a compact set of a disk of support of the motherboard.

Rise of dependability and stability of operation is promoted by implementation of the hardware monitoring providing the control over supply voltages and operation of cooling fans. This possibility considerably simplifies the control over hardware of the computer in case of usage of modes of dispersal.

Following major parametres are inspected: power of processor Vcore, levels of standard power rails +3,3, +5 and +12 In; temperature of the processor and the motherboard, a rotating speed of two fans.

One more feature of ASUSP4V800-X architecture is usage of a three-channel variant of a pulse converter of powers — VRM though many manufacturers of motherboards use already fourline solutions. Nevertheless, testing has shown high stability of operation of the card, that, generally speaking, was not unexpected for a product from the eminent manufacturer.

Fig. 9. VRMASUS P4V800-X

By the way, layout VRM as, however, and orientation of the processor plug, differ from their traditional layout in standard dizajnah motherboards a little. A sheaf a socket-VRM are turned on 90 degrees clockwise. As a result of the given changes the processor plug has appeared drifted to card centre that allows to use coolers of the big size. Moving VRM, apparently, improves its thermal modes of maintenance as a part of the motherboard.

In a three-channel impulse surge protector of the processor which topology in many respects reminds, for example, VRM from ASUSP4С800 and ASUSP4С800 Deluxe, 7 capacitors on 1500 mkf and 3 on 1200 mkf are applied. On this card there are also separate stabilising devices of power supply of buses AGP and dynamic storage units.

In summary, it is necessary to mark, that on width of a package and a set of functional resources motherboard ASUSP4V800-X though cannot compete, for example, with ASUSP4С800 Deluxe, however it is much cheaper. It allows potential users to receive the efficient motherboard from the eminent manufacturer with all attributes linked, for example, with relying support. Thus all is gained for essentially more modest financial assets, than, for example, in case of High End-cards ASUSTeK. Besides, motherboard ASUSP4V800-X possesses RAID functionality, ports Serial ATA, AGP 8Х, the integrated network adapter, USB 2.0 and unique functions ASUSTeK which do the given card by very cost effective solution.

Testing has shown high stability of operation of card ASUSP4V800-X and its rather high productivity, but about it in one of following articles.

Motherboard ASUSP4V800-X can be recommended a wide range of users.

Motherboard ASUS P4V800-X is given by the Moscow representation of ASUSTeK corporation