ASRock ConRoe945G-DVI: Core 2 Duo goes mATX
by Gary Key on September 1, 2006 5:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Basic Features
The BIOS layout and configurable options are representative of a budget performance system. We would like to note that if the X16 PCI Express slot is not utilized for a GPU then it will operate as an X1 PCI Express capable slot. The ConRoe945G-DVI certainly does not offer the same level of BIOS controls as more performance oriented boards but is typical of current ASRock value series boards. However, the options available allow enough control over the memory and subsequent performance of the board as not to hinder the user, except for two settings.
One issue we have with this BIOS -- and those of other ASRock boards -- is the lack of specific memory voltage settings besides High, Middle, and Low. Although this board is targeted to the value performance segment, the lack of specific voltages hindered our ability to overclock the board. The best we can tell with our memory modules is that the High setting added about +.15V to our base 1.8V requirement. The other major issue that could arise for Pentium 4 and possibly Core 2 Duo users is the complete lack of vCore settings. The board will basically set the voltage to the CPU's default voltage.
| ASRock ConRoe945G-DVI Specifications | |
| CPU Interface: | LGA775-based Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium D, and Core 2 Duo processors |
| Chipset: | Intel 945G - MCH Intel ICH7 - ICH |
| Front Side Bus: | 1066 / 800 / 533 MHz |
| Front Side Bus Speeds: | Auto, 140~350MHz in 1MHz increments |
| Memory Speeds: | Auto, DDR2-400, DDR2-533, DDR2-667 |
| Memory Timings: | Auto, tCAS, tRCD, tRP, tRAS |
| PCI Bus Speeds: | Fixed |
| PCI Express Bus Speeds: | Auto, 70MHz ~ 150MHz in 1MHz increments |
| Set Processor Multiplier: | Auto, (step down available for certain Pentium 4 series) |
| Core Voltage: | Auto, Fixed |
| DRAM Voltage: | Auto, High, Middle, Low |
| Memory Slots: | (4) x DIMM, max. 1GB per DIMM, max. 4GB total system memory, DDR2 667/533, non-ECC, unbuffered memory |
| Expansion Slots: | (1) x PCI-E x16 (1) x PCI-E x1 (2) x PCI 2.3 (1) x HDMR |
| Onboard SATA: | Intel ICH7: (4) x SATA 3Gbps, Hot Plug not supported |
| Onboard IDE: | Intel ICH7: (1) x UltraDMA 100/66/33 |
| Onboard USB2.0: | (8) USB2.0 ports |
| Onboard LAN: | Realtek RTL8111B PCIE 10/100/1000Mb/s Ethernet LAN |
| Onboard Audio: | Realtek ALC-888, 8-channel capable HD Audio |
| Onboard Video: | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Power Connectors: | 20-pin ATX 4-pin ATX 12V |
| Back Panel I/O Ports: | 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x PS/2 Mouse 1 x Parallel (LPT) 1 x VGA 1 x Audio I/O Panel 1 x RJ45 4 x USB |
| Features: | United Overclocking - Fixed Mode PCI/PCIE modes |
| BIOS: | AMI 1.10 |
The BIOS layout and configurable options are representative of a budget performance system. We would like to note that if the X16 PCI Express slot is not utilized for a GPU then it will operate as an X1 PCI Express capable slot. The ConRoe945G-DVI certainly does not offer the same level of BIOS controls as more performance oriented boards but is typical of current ASRock value series boards. However, the options available allow enough control over the memory and subsequent performance of the board as not to hinder the user, except for two settings.
One issue we have with this BIOS -- and those of other ASRock boards -- is the lack of specific memory voltage settings besides High, Middle, and Low. Although this board is targeted to the value performance segment, the lack of specific voltages hindered our ability to overclock the board. The best we can tell with our memory modules is that the High setting added about +.15V to our base 1.8V requirement. The other major issue that could arise for Pentium 4 and possibly Core 2 Duo users is the complete lack of vCore settings. The board will basically set the voltage to the CPU's default voltage.
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Gary Key - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
3D Performance more in alignment with the GeForce FX5600 series but with better video quality. The 6200TC would provide up to double the frame rates in Quake4 at 1024x768 HQ as an example.mino - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
I know, it's AM2 but a little mATX roundup won't hurt.Especially with EE SFF parts and Conroe out of the gates..
Also I would love to see power comparison between different chipsets/boards.
For C2D as well as for X2.
dmce - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
Yeah i would be very interested in this. Would also be interested in a little more info on the RS600/SB600 (Radeon Xpress 1250) boards.dmce - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
Dont suppose you know if it supports 1080p?Would have liked to see how it coped with HD playback.
Looking forward to the mATX reviews mentioned
mino - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
They used it with 24inch Acer DVI LCD => it works reliably up to 1920x1200 which is the top of single-link DVI spec.mino - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
In the other word 1080p playability should depend on the CPU.dmce - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
Thanks mate.poohbear - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
just wanna say thanks for covering the budget mobos instead of the super high end stuff.:) I was really impressed w/ the asrock dualsata2, so nice to see their new stuff.esterhasz - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
Great article, tnx. Would be great to have numbers for power consumtion though. In the HTPC Arena, this is a rather interesting matter...Calin - Friday, September 1, 2006 - link
Or at least subjective ratings regarding different places on the mainboard - VRM modules, chipset, ...