ebjack's Full Review: ASUS SiS Chipset A7S-VM (A7S-VM/WA/LAN) Motherboar...
Features are:
Processor: Socket A for AMD Athlon & Duron CPU
Chipset: SiSŪ 730STM Chipset
FSB: 100MHz Front Side Bus
Memory: 2 x DIMM Sockets
Max. 2GB PC133/VC133 SDRAM
Expansion Slots: 4 x PCI
VGA Chipset Integrated 3D Graphics Accelerator
IDE Ports: 2 x UltraDMA/100
Audio: Chipset Integrated PCI Hardware Audio
LAN: RealtekŪ RTL8100 100/10Mbps LAN Controller
Special Features: Power Loss Recovery, ASUSŪ JumperFreeTM, CPU Throttle, STR (Suspend-to-RAM)
Back Panel I/O Ports: 2 x USB Ports
1 x Parallel
1 x Serial
1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x Audio I/O
1 x Game/MIDI 1 x RJ-45
1 x VGA
Onboard I/O Interface: Two Header Supports Additional 4 USB Ports,20-pin ASUSŪ iPanel, SIR/CIR (Integrated Serial Infrared), Headphone, CD / Video / AUX / Modem Audio in CPU / Power Supply / Chassis Fan,ATX Power, IDE LED, ASUSŪ iPanel Connectors
Accessories: User's Manual, Support CD, UltraDMA/100 Cable
IDE Cable, Floppy Cable, 2-Port USB Bracket, COM2 Port Bracket
Board Size: MicroATX Form Factor: 9.6" x 9.6" (24.4cm x
24.4cm)
Bought a board along with a case, HD CPU and memory from Sofistic in CA. Paid only $85US for the board. My brother wanted a machine he could play around with in his spare time. Set up was uneventful. Used a 750 Duron processor. The machine fired up the first time without a problem.
We loaded all the drivers and the CPU and motherboard monitor and all installed on the first try.
Shortly after setup my nephew's computer crashed. Since he was in the middle of a project and needed a "fix up" quickly, my brother brought his new computer into the college to give it to his son. The Realtek LAN connected to the college EtherNet without a problem. The computer that was meant to "knock around" was pressed into service as a computer for his son who is studying engineering at college. The computer is much faster than the one it replaced [IBM Aptiva 2163-540 w/PII 350MHz].
Right now we have no plans to update the computer with a better video card [they use ACAD2000 at the college] because his son has no complaints.
This build turned out so good that we decided to build another for his friend. That computer went together without any problems related to the board. In that computer we included a modem.
The board has 4 PCI slots so expect that you will have 3 open expansion slots on the back of a 7 slot case. You can fill them with the extra COM [COM 2] port and extra USB [USB 3&4] that come with the board. The literature claims the board supports 6 USB ports. The board came with HD cable and FDD cable.
Board was easily overclocked but when it was installed at the college we returned it to 750Mhz. You will have many FSB/PCI combinations to choose and you can fine tune the FSB @ 1Mhz increments. The BIOS is easily changed.
The CD ROM that came with it was well thought out. Better than the Abit CD I recently got with a board that I bought. I was impressed with ASUS. I liked the motherboard monitor better than the Abit motherboard monitor.
All in all, a great value for the money. I would highly recommend it for those that need a basic machine. We do not know how the graphics performed with games or 3D yet but as a basic computer there were no extras to buy [except if you want a modem].
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