PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

I post my findings as to ASUS P4PE motherboard in case it helps :

- install/package etc : fine, there is a helpful manual, it could be better but it helped and could find all I needed.

- It doesn't come with any screw, which I find offensive, and eventhough you have optional audio and usb that you put in the place of a pci slot, no screw is given, which is even more offensive.

- SATA and other options : optional controllers (S-ATA, Firewire etc) are cut from the board which do not have those options. So you can't upgrade.

- MotherBoard power supply : the ATX Power connectors and two additional 3 pin fan plugs are too close from the hard disks (right side of the board).
This is not really a problem except that if you want to change a disk, you must either unscrew the disk case, or unplug the power supply.
This is only a problem when you setup your system, when you may have to move things like hard disks etc...
It is the same for the fan connectors.

This is really a strange design, and I would call it a mistake. However, it is not important once you have closed your computer case.

- Bios : updated very easily thanks to a utility to connect/download/install the newer bios. Enough features for someone like me. A lot features for overclocking (I used to underclock my pIII

- works : very well, i didn't not have mobo errors or whatever

Well, i really have nothing to say for the basic install and all is working fine.

I don't really know what kind of test I can run for PCI/ SFP on 15 dsp, and I am still wiating for SX upgrade to come.... so if you have ideas ...

see you

edited : setup
- asus p4pe
- P IV 2.53 Ghz
- 1Gb DDR 2700 (Dane Elec/Nanya)
- several IDE hard disk
- 1 asus CDR (40x, went fine for XP install)
- Ati Radeon VE (i have to give back the mot"#@! f@#^ new Gigabyte 7500 Pro that you MUST NOT buy)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-11-12 18:49 ]</font>

Hi Mehdi,
so you decided for this one. The Serial ATA should be left of the battery (right is IDE+floppy). Look for a chip with "Promise" written on it. Screws are never delivered with a mainboard. You should have enough coming with the case.
Yes, the new standard design. Pff... Imagine to put in more DDR. Just plug in? Forget it. (AGP)
Hope it runs fine, so you can do further
Happy scoping
Micha

yes I know, but didn't want serial ata, i just noted it's cut from the basic P4pE in case someone thought he might upgrade.

for the moment all is very very fine...

I just checked about ram and (edited) there's room to put a third DDR DIMM(unedit), but the board only accepts 2 double sided DIMMS max (the most usual ram) and you have to get single-sided dimms if you want to fill all three slots.

Now I have 2x 512, which is enough now, but if I wanted to go up to the 2gb limit, i must buy 2x 1gb dimms....

I point this out if somebody thinks that the 3 slots are usable as you wish, which is not the case.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-11-13 14:56 ]</font>

Aha, trick 17 (the one with self damage included).
Thanks for this very useful review.
Micha

Ok, it installs well enough.

Now, how does it perform with Pulsar?

I'm just starting using this board myself, the version I have is the full one, with SATA and so on.

My problem starting up, was an incorrect installation of RAM. Be aware of this, if you own a P4PE and are setting it up for the first tiem. P4PE does not accept certain mixtures of DDR in slots 2 and 3. If you use double memory, you should always intall them into slots 1 and 2, as long as I have experienced. If you do not, your system will not boot up.