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AOpen AK77-600 Max Motherboard Review
AOpen AK77-600 Max Motherboard Review - PCSTATS
As we've seen lately, AOpen packs a ton of value into their motherboards and their AK77-600 Max is no different.
 89% Rating:   
Filed under: Motherboards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: AOpen Aug 29 2003   C. Sun  
Home > Reviews > Motherboards > AOpen AK77-600 Max

A Clean Layout can mean better airflow

AOpen placed most of the device headers near the bottom of the motherboard, making things easier on the end user when they go ahead and install all the little brackets that come included (Audio, game and USB) with the motherboard. There is one USB2.0 header between the second and third PCI slots so it may be a bit tricky fishing the connecting wires around adjacent devices. If you're careful it should be easy enough to feed the wire around without blocking any important cooling fans, or PCI cards.

There is a trend which has recently emerged from several manufacturers where IDE/floppy drive connectors are mounted at 90 degrees the PCB. This small adjustment really makes it a lot easier to keep cables out of the way of PCI devices, and can help improve good airflow in the system if you take the time to fold the cables nicely out of the way of intake fans.

As with all AOpen motherboards we've tested to date, the KT600-based AK77-600 Max is very well labelled and detailed. Newbie users will have no problems installing the board without having to refer to the manual. If users do find they need to check the manual, they'll find a 136 page booklet which is clearly written and easy to understand.

I also like how this AK77-600 Max has colour and polarity markings on the front panel I/O header.

While some individuals may not fawn over this, I really like the fact that the AK77-600 comes equipped with six USB 2.0 ports on the back panel. I recently found myself without enough USB ports as my mouse, remote wonder, digital camera and scanner are all USB devices and I needed just one more port to attach a new Logitech game pad. It's frustrating when you have to stop, dig out the old USB hub and plug it in just for one more USB device, even it if does only take a few minutes.

You're probably wondering what the significance of the orange PCI slot just below the AGP adaptor is. That's a PCI slave slot, meaning it cannot assume control of the PCI bus and therefore you cannot use any PCI expansion card that requires PCI Bus Mastering (such as soundcards, multimedia or videocards). Not using those types of PCI cards here is a good rule of thumb anyway as that slot shares the IRQ with the AGP.

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Contents of Article: AOpen AK77-600 Max
 Pg 1.  AOpen AK77-600 Max Motherboard Review
 Pg 2.  — A Clean Layout can mean better airflow
 Pg 3.  Blackouts and BIOS updates
 Pg 4.  Overclocking and the AK77-600 Max BIOS
 Pg 5.  System Spec's and Benchmarks
 Pg 6.  Benchmarks: Winstone 2002, Winbench
 Pg 7.  Benchmarks: SiSoft Sandra 2003
 Pg 8.  Benchmarks: PCMark2002, 3DMark2001SE
 Pg 9.  Benchmarks: Quake III Arena, UT2003
 Pg 10.  Feature packed, and paced well

 
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