AOpen AXPE Max P4 Mainboard

Manufacturer: AOpen
Supplied by:  AOpen
Price: ~$115

By Brian Tiller  (1/1/2003)

Introduction

Can you say "Loaded"? Well if you can, then that pretty much accurately describes AOpen's newest motherboard offering, the AX4PE-Max. This board has everything on it but a remote control for your TV and believe me, I looked for that. AOpen has long been a staunch provider of strong, stable motherboards for the average user and now it seems that they have set their sights on the enthusiast and overclocker market as well. I would like to thank the good folks at AOpen for the opportunity to review this mainboard.

What You Get

Unlike AOpen's other boards this one is not boxed with the see-through cover but instead with the standard cardboard front and pic of the board. But they are still sticking with the looks of their black PCB. Good, I like that.

   

Included with the board are a standard floppy drive cable, an ATA 100 drive cable as well as an ATA 133 cable (yellow). Also included are the SPDIF interface, 2 extra FireWire ports, 2 extra USB ports (supporting USB 2.0), as well as the Serial ATA cables and installation disk and a rear I/O plate. We also have the AOpen Bonus Pack with extra software and a copy of Norton Anti-Virus (very important!). And of course the installation manual with that wonderful pull out Easy Installation Guide with color pictures. (I don't know about you, but it's always easier to follow the pics than read the book!)

Specifications

The White Paper Stuff.

• CPU: Supports 400/533MHz FSB Intel Pentium 4 Socket 478 Processor

• ASIC: Intel 845PE chipset

• Architecture: 6 PCI slots +1 AGP slot + 1 * CNR

• Max. Main Memory: Max. 2GB DDR SDRAM for 184pin DIMM*3

• DIMM Type: 64/128/256/512MB

• Official unofficial support for DDR333 (only supports DDR 333 w/533 FSB CPU)

• On Board Sound: Realtek AC’97 CODEC on board (5.1 channel)

• On Board LAN: Realtek LAN controller on board for 10/100Mbps Ethernet

• On Board I/O:
  2 Serial Port (UART 16C550 Support)
  1 Parallel Port (SPP/EPP/ECP Support)
  3 Channel E-IDE (Mode 4 and Bus master Ultra DMA Mode 5 33/66/100) with the Promise Controller to support ATA 133.
  On Board Serial ATA Controller for support of 2 Serial ATA Drives
  1 Floppy Drive Connector (1.2/1.44/2.88MB)
  4 Universal Serial Bus Ports, supporting USB 2.0
  1 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Port
  1 PS/2 Mouse Port
  1 PS/2 Keyboard Port
  Speaker-Out, Line-In, Mic-In

• Onboard Connector:
  IrDA , Wake-On-LAN , Wake-On-Modem, CPU Fan, Fan2, Fan3 , CD_IN, AUX-IN , COM2, S/PDIF, FRONT AUDIO, Dr. LED, Chassis intrusion connector, Additional 2 USB 2.0 Ports (via optional cable), 2 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ports.

• Board Size: 305mm x 244mm, ATX Form Factor

 

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