Next Generation Motherboard Platforms - Part 2: Intel's 820

In spite of the support for a software audio codec, the VC820 features a hardware PCI sound controller. The Crystal CS4614-CM drives the on-board audio of the VC820 which is very unusual for a motherboard that uses a chipset designed with AMR support in mind. Maybe Intel is realizing that software audio isn't the best thing in the world? While our review sample featured the Crystal chip, the final shipping version will differ in that it features the Creative Labs ES1373 hardware solution instead. The on-board telephony codec is manufactured by Motorola.

Speaking of integration, the VC820 features an on-board 10/100 ethernet adapter which is a very welcome and long overdue addition to the integrated motherboard scene. The 10/100 port is placed directly above the two USB ports and an ATX I/O shield is provided with the appropriate cutouts to support the placement of the connector.

The ethernet port is completely hardware driven so there are no worries about CPU utilization during network traffic and, considering the growing number of users with access to high speed internet connections or LANs, this feature is definitely worth it. Once reserved for the more expensive server motherboards, it is refreshing to see ethernet ports brought down to the desktop level with the VC820. From the point of view of the user that does not need on-board ethernet this is just an added cost, which is why this feature will not be one that catches on quickly.

There are a few design improvements the VC820 offers over what we're used to from the BX boards we've come to know and love for the past year and a half. The distance between the left levers of the RIMM slots and the AGP slot has been increased. While this is attributed to the fact that the space is occupied by the AMR slot, it does prevent the levers from interfering with the installation of any AGP cards.

The design also implements support for the AGP retention mechanism (right). This is a new feature you'll begin noticing on i820 motherboards. The AGP retention mechanism is basically a plastic retention kit that fits around your AGP slot and snaps into the last latch of your AGP card. This prevents the card from moving ever so slightly side to side during normal operation, or because you accidentally pulled on your VGA cable. This doesn't replace the screw that secures your AGP card in place, it just helps keep the card from moving. As heatsinks and fans get larger and larger, the need for the AGP retention mechanism will increase, and it's something that you'll start to see on more i820 motherboards. While our review sample did not feature an installed AGP retention mechanism, the positioning for one was silk screened onto the motherboard and the shipping product will probably feature one.

As with all Intel boards, the VC820 is fully jumperless and requires the modification of a single jumper to enable or disable access to the configuration utility in the BIOS. Features like a jumperless setup, on-board PC speaker, and USB front panel connectors are just a handful of the options that the upcoming generations of i820 boards will have to offer. Luckily we also happen to have previews of what two of those forthcoming i820 boards have in store for us, so let's get to it.