ABIT KV8-MAX3: Athlon64 and µGuru

Abit has made quite a splash lately with their µGuru, or micro Guru, chip for system monitoring, on-the-fly overclocking and more. One of the boards launched with the µGuru features is Abit's top-of-the-line KV8-Max3. The KV8 is an Athlon64 board, which means, at least for now, that it will use either the VIA K8T800 chipset or the nVidia nForce3 150. “For now” only means that the SiS755 chipset for Athlon64 is also near launch and AnandTech will be taking a look at the SiS755 Reference Board very soon. Abit uses the VIA chipset on this Max series board.

As part of the Abit MAX Series, you also know from the start that this is a top-of-the-line Abit board, geared for the computer enthusiast. Lately, that has meant the very latest version of Soft Menu for BIOS tweaking, the OTES cooling system for the power transistors and coils that regulate the power on the motherboard, and Secure IDE, which is real-time Data-Encryption system with a Secure Key feature. The KV8-MAX3 has all 3 of these features in addition to µGuru. No matter how you view the Abit KV8-MAX3, it is loaded with motherboard features. They are not added options, such as card readers we see on Chaintech, DFI, and Soyo systems, but rather, Abit features associated with motherboards. The only exception is the matching black floppy, IDE, and SATA cables designed to color-coordinate with the black motherboard.

There is no doubt that the KV8-MAX3 is aimed at and equipped for the computer enthusiast who is looking to move to the new Athlon64. The real question is whether the Abit delivers on its promise stated on the front of the box — delivering the “Speed – Stability – Power” that will persuade Athlon64 buyers to move up to the Abit KV8-MAX3.