DDR for Pentium III: 10 Boards with VIA Apollo Pro 266 – THG.RU

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10 Boards with VIA Apollo Pro 266″ –>

More Bandwidth for the Pentium III?

The new VIA Apollo Pro 266 is supposed to infuse the somewhat dated Intel Pentium III with renewed vigor. The new chipset offers more memory bandwidth when used in concert with DDR SDRAM memory, which means that it should be able to boost the Pentium III’s performance to top Intel’s own 815 chipset. Previously, only the AMD platform with Athlon and Duron had appropriate chipsets with DDR support.

Now that the Apollo Pro 266 is gaining in popularity, it seems that the winds of change are blowing – the customer will be in the enviable position of being able to choose between the rather pricey Intel 815 – which only supports SDRAM – and the Apollo Pro 266. Although the Apollo Pro 133A, another VIA product, is de facto still available on the market, its memory performance wasn’t exactly convincing, a fact that was reflected in numerous tests. Currently, there is a large number of boards with the Apollo Pro 266 available on the market. We decided to put a total of ten motherboards through their paces.

The new VIA Apollo Pro 266 give serious grounds for hope – by supplying more memory bandwidth, the total performance should be several cuts above the competition (Intel 815). That hope was the basic reason for running the tests on the Apollo Pro 266.

DDR SDRAM for Socket 370

You can consider the introduction of the VIA Apollo Pro 266 chipset and its DDR SDRAM memory technology for the Pentium III and Celeron from an entirely different perspective. Intel has chosen to shelve the somewhat old-fashioned Socket 370 and has been devoting all its energy to pushing the Pentium IV with a Socket 423 platform. This leads to the question of whether or not the introduction of the new VIA chipset will give the Pentium III and Celeron a new lease on life. Be that as it may, Intel still produces the Intel 815 in all its various forms and continues to sell it in substantial quantities.

New – 6x USB and Colorful Boards

Several features become immediately noticeable when looking at the 10 test candidates. For one thing, the manufacturers have increased the number of USB ports to a total of six, which is a useful feature. For another thing, the Taiwanese manufacturers must have heard that colorful boards are totally “in”. There could be no other explanation for the fact that Asus is following the lead of AOpen and Gigabyte to produce boards in different colors. The manufacturers are showing restraint in color choice, with most of them offering boards in black and blue only. Still, we expect that it is a matter of time before the first pink board makes its way to our testing lab.

General Overview of VIA Apollo Pro 266

This block circuit diagram shows how the Northbridge and the Southbridge work together.

General Overview of VIA Apollo Pro 266, Continued

The VT8633 Northbridge on the VIA Apollo Pro 266 chipset monitors the AGP bus, which is run at a maximum of 4x. The most important feature added to the Pro 266’s predecessor, the Apollo Pro 133A, is that the platform can now be supplied with DDR SDRAM. However, the chipset is still downwards compatible with conventional SDRAM. The MSI Pro266 Master and the Shuttle AV32 have separate DIMM slots, offering one group for SDRAM and another for DDR SDRAM. Operating SDRAM and DDR SDRAM at the same time is, however, not possible. You can only use one or the other. The remaining test candidates only have slots for DDR SDRAM. SDR SDRAM can no longer be used.

The Apollo Pro 266 chipset’s VT8233 has several up-to-date features. The Southbridge uses the so-called V-Link protocol to communicate with the VT8633 Northbridge. VLINK is clocked at 133 MHz (266 MHz DDR), while the data throughput is substantially lower for older VIA chipsets.

Another feature has been added to VLINK, ATA/100 and AC97 Sound – the VT8233 can act as an onboard network, a feature which the Shuttle AV30 and the Soyo SY-7VDA make use of. The Asus CUV266, on the other hand, comes furnished with a special 3COM chip for the network hook-up. USB capacity has been increased from four to six potential channels.

Difference between SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM

The conventional SDRAM modules and DDR SDRAM modules have the same basic lines, as can be seen in this picture. It is still difficult for the uninitiated to spot the difference between the two DIMM’s. SDRAM (above) has two notches, whereas DDR SDRAM (below) only has one. If you have an MSI Pro266 Master or a Shuttle AV32, it’s a good idea to take a good look at your board slots. Both boards have SDR DIMM slots and DDR DIMM slots. It’s easy to confuse the two if you don’t pay close attention to the notches.

An Overview of all 10 Motherboards

The complete table of features can be found at the end of this article.

Here you see the Promise chip used by AOpen AX37 Plus, Gigabyte GA-6RX and MSI Pro266 Master (RAID capability), which is the reason why these boards incorporate 4 IDE ports.

AOpen AX37 Plus – 6x USB

BIOS – Award R1.01A (02.02.2001)

Board revision – unknown

In contrast to the streamlined variant – the AX37 Pro – the AX37 Plus has a powerful RAID controller (Fast Trak 100) and Dual BIOS function. Otherwise, the AX37 Plus performs and functions very much like the Pro version.

AOpen AX37 Pro – CL2 Mode Not Possible

BIOS – Award R1.01A (02.02.2001)

Board revision – unknown

The AOpen AX37 Pro’s black paint job truly makes it stand out. In contrast to the AX37 Plus, the board has neither RAID function nor Dual BIOS. The manufacturer could have omitted the AMR slot, since there are no components available on the free market for this type of slot. Some problems crop up when using special DDR memory modules. We couldn’t get DDR SDRAM memory with a CAS latency of 2.0 to work. Not only that, but the board is the second worst in virtually all the benchmark disciplines. One exception to this general trend is the Linux benchmark, where the board wins hands down. One noteworthy feature is the diagnostic LED port (AOpen calls this feature “Dr. LED”.)

Wrong design for the board layout – a capacitor on the Aopen board has been so poorly placed that we were forced to bend the slot plate on the graphics card in order to even operate the platform.

Asus CUV266 – a Special Layout

BIOS – Award Rev. 1001 BETA 015P1 (21.02.2001)

Board revision – 1.04

As is the case with the majority of the boards tested, the Asus CUV266 also has a total of 6 USB ports. This striking board has been laid out unlike any of the remaining test candidates. Our guess is that Asus had originally planned to create a combined SDRAM/DDR SDRAM variant using this layout as a basis. However, the benchmark scores don’t live up to the expectations that you would traditionally expect from this manufacturer. A noteworthy feature is the ACP Pro slot and its network capability (3COM) integrated into the board. The choice of placing an ACR slot next to the PCI slots seems somewhat shaky, since there are no components available for the ACR slot. Overclocking aficionados will definitely be taken with this board – the front side bus can be adjusted to between 66 and 202 MHz. Unfortunately, the granularity of the FSB-adjustments could be higher. In addition, the CPU core voltage has a wide range of possible settings.

The Asus CUV266 also has an ACR-Slot and a 100 MBit/s Fast Ethernet port. A 3COM chip (see picture) ensures that the board can be connected to a network. The ACR slot has the same shape as a PCI slot, but has been turned around.

Chaintech CT-6VJD: the Fastest Board

BIOS – Award 6VJD0213 (13.02.2001)

Board revision – unknown

The most conspicuous thing about the Chaintech CT-6VJD is the blue ACR slot, which is probably interesting only for the OEM business. This port is useless for end users. The manufacturer should have used this space, which is occupied by the ACR slot, for an additional PCI slot instead. The same thing is true for the CNR slot – this port can only be used by OEM manufacturers.

The BIOS recovery feature is interesting. If the flash procedure goes horribly awry, BIOS can still be recovered using a floppy disk (ALT + F2). This is a common feature on numerous Siemens boards.

Despite the fact that this board isn’t exactly an overclocker’s dream come true, the FSB can be gradually adjusted in BIOS in increments of 1 MHz to between 133 MHz and 170 MHz. This board takes the gold in virtually every single benchmark discipline. The “DRAM Command Rate” feature, which we set to “1 Command” in the test, allows the Chaintech to have the best performance in this test.

The manufacturer offers this board in a combined variant as well with two SDRAM slots and two DDR SDRAM slots. There is one drawback, however – there are only two fan headers on the board.

As is the case with the Asus CUV266, the Chaintech CT-6VJD has an ACR-Slot (blue in the picture).

DFI CD70-SC – Ho-hum

BIOS – Award 6A6LUD49 (21.02.2001)

Board revision – 0.3

Of all the boards tested, the DFI CD70-SC is the least spectacular – it has neither particularly positive nor particularly negative features. As far as its performance is concerned, the board always ranks among the lowest, which means that it’s not that attractive for end users interested in performance. While the fact that DFI designed its own layout is admirable, it doesn’t have a positive effect on the test.

Gigabyte GA-6RX – Multitalented, but a Bit Kooky

BIOS – AMI 6RX F3B (14.03.2001)

Board revision – 1.0

The blue color of Gigabyte’s well-equipped GA-6RX really makes it stand out. It was the only board we tested that had four DDR SDRAM slots. The Gigabyte proves to be multitalented. It has more than its full allotment of equipment – ranging from a RAID controller (Promise Ultra 100), an AGP Pro slot and Dual BIOS functions, all the way to clock rate adjustment using DIP switches.

The board incorporates the most important features. Be that as it may, some insufficiencies became apparent in the test. Every time the system crashes, the individual BIOS settings are lost. This can be very time-consuming and irritating for people running systems under Windows 98 SE, which is world-renowned for its stability problems. After all, is there anybody out there who enjoys reentering IRQ settings over and over again?

It’s also a bad idea to overload the Gigabyte with overly fast memory modules. We had enormous problems with the CL2 memory modules (CL2 = CAS latency of 2 clock cycles). In terms of performance, this board hovers around the middle of the benchmark chart. Overclocking aficionados can adjust the CPU core voltage and the clock multiplier manually. Regarding the AMR slot, the same thing could be said for the Gigabyte as for the other candidates – the slot is superfluous for retail customers because there are no peripheral devices available for it.

The Gigabyte GA-6RX has two independent BIOS chips. In the event of a BIOS flash update failure or incorrect settings, it is possible to switch chips.

MSI Pro266 Master (MS-6366) – a Board for All Seasons

BIOS – Award V1.0B10 (15.02.2001)

Board revision – N1996

Apart from the Shuttle, the MSI MS-6366 is the only board tested that works with both SDRAM memory and DDR SDRAM memory. The board’s very poor performance is a serious problem – it places last in practically all the benchmarks. Its limping performance can partly be attributed to its weak AGP performance – the MSI MS-366 doesn’t support the AGP Fast Write mode.

On the other hand, the long track length between the processor and the Northbridge chipset already hints at this problem. In addition, the test revealed some compatibility problems with DDR SDRAM memory – a very limited assortment of modules can be used in the MSI board.

On the other hand, the board’s integrated RAID controller and its hardware diagnostic LED display feature lead to a better overall impression. As far as the CNR slot is concerned, the same holds true for the MSI board as well as all other test candidates furnished with this port – it’s utterly useless.

Shuttle AV30 (V11) – Good Performance

BIOS – Award AV32S279 (01.02.2001)

Board revision – unknown

Shuttle sent us two different boards – the AV30 with DDR SDRAM support and the AV32 with a combination solution (SDRAM and DDR SDRAM). The most conspicuous feature of the AV30 is its integrated network capability. The six PCI slots, which offer space for numerous components, are another positive feature. The front side bus can be adjusted in a range between 66 and 133 MHz. Overclocking is not an option on this board. However, the board does obtain good results in the benchmark tests – on average, the Shuttle AV30 places second. As for the CNR slot – we can only repeat once more that it is useless for end users.

A handicap on Shuttle’s AV30 board – in order to ensure that the graphics card sits properly, a capacitor has been placed in front of the AGP lever. Removing the graphics card can spell disaster for the entire board. Cracking off the capacitor renders the entire board useless. The second Shuttle board in our test, the AV32, has been more intelligently designed and does not have a capacitor next to the AGP slot.

Shuttle AV32 (V14) – A Board for All Seasons

BIOS – Award AV30S017 (16.01.2001)

Board revision – unknown

The Shuttle AV32 processes SDRAM memory as well as DDR SDRAM memory, although it isn’t possible to use both types of memory at the same time or in combination with each other. The AGP graphics card’s plastic mounting is a welcome feature, since it effectively prevents the graphics card from slipping out. The choice of integrating an ACR slot seems questionable, since a sixth PCI slot has been sacrificed to make room for it. The FSB can be adjusted in BIOS in increments of 1 MHz using the DEC key.

The choice of using SDRAM memory or DDR SDRAM memory has no effect on the board’s performance – both sets are equally fast. In terms of general performance, this board pretty much stays in the middle of the pack.

Soyo SY-7VDA – An Overclocker’s Dream Come True

BIOS – Award 7VDA-2AP1 (19.02.2001)

Board revision – unknown

The Soyo SY-7VDA’s compact dimensions makes it stand out from the other boards. An additional network chip has been integrated into the board. Features such as a front side bus, which is adjustable in increments of 1 MHz, adjustable CPU core voltage and a variable clock multiplier, make the Soyo an excellent overclocking candidate. In terms of performance, the board averages third in our benchmarks.

The board’s developers have focused more directly on the market by simply omitting unnecessary multimedia ports, which are available on the other test candidates. Some problems cropped up when we deleted the CMOS memory module in the test – afterwards, the board was no longer able to produce any sounds. It wasn’t until we used a second Soyo board running an older BIOS version that we managed to remedy the freeze-up.

Overclocking: Fixed Clock Multiplier

It’s common knowledge that the majority of Pentium III and Celeron processors have a lock on their multipliers, which, unlike AMD processors, cannot be unlocked. The only possibility of overclocking this kind of CPU is to pump up the front side bus.

Two prerequisites must be met in order to overclock a P3 successfully and painlessly – the FSB should ideally be adjustable in increments of 1 MHz. In addition, increasing your CPU core voltage in small increments of 0.05 volts keeps your system more stable. Although Asus has a good reputation for stability and capability when overclocked, when compared to the other test candidates you can see that the Asus CUV266 we tested does not offer increments of 1 MHz for the entire FSB range. The range remains, however, very large – it reaches from 66 MHz to 202 MHz. Don’t take the last number too seriously, though – this setting is only interesting in theory and would violate all the laws of electrical engineering.

The Chaintech CT-6VJD, the Shuttle AV30 and the Soyo SY-7VDA are good overclocking candidates, since they meet all the criteria for 1 MHz FSB and the CPU core with 0.05 volt increments.

Test Configuration

Office Performance – Sysmark 2000

The Sysmark 2000 analyzes the office performance of a system by running several common applications. The benchmark diagram shows very clearly that many boards furnished with DDR SDRAM memory and the VIA Apollo Pro 266 chipset are hot on the heels of the Intel 815 and its SDRAM memory. Only the Asus CUV 266 and the Shuttle AV32 were able to break away from the rest of the pack. And the winner is – the Shuttle board working in concert with SDRAM memory!

OpenGL Games Performance – Quake 3 Arena

The well-known OpenGL Benchmark “Quake 3 Arena” shows clearly that the Asus CUSL2 with an Intel 815 chipset stays in the middle of the pack. The Shuttle AV30 with DDR SDRAM memory is the fastest board.

3D Games Performance – Unreal Tournament

In this benchmark, the Intel 815 chipset doesn’t do that badly next to the Apollo Pro 266 candidates. The Asus CUV 266 has a marginal lead over the others.

MPEG-4 Encoding – Flask MPEG

In the MPEG-4-Encoding benchmark, where processing and streaming is the name of the game, we see that all the boards tested obtained relatively similar results. The Intel 815 chipset installed on the Asus CUSL2 stands head and shoulders above the rest.

OpenGL – Viewperf Awadvs-04

This discipline shows a very broad range among the test candidates.

OpenGL – Viewperf DRV-07

In the Design Review benchmark, we see a picture similar to that of the Awadvs-04.

OpenGL – Viewperf DX-06

This is the first benchmark where the DDR SDRAM memory’s superior bandwidth plays a role. The MSI lollygags around at the back and has disappointingly bad frame rates.

OpenGL – Viewperf Light-04

In this chart, you can observe the slight advantage conferred by DDR SDRAM memory.

OpenGL – Viewperf MedMCAD-01

Basically the same thing that was said for the other disciplines.

OpenGL – Viewperf ProCDRS-03

The ProCDRS benchmark really makes the Asus CUSL2 with Intel 815 chipset look old – it is stuck in last place with only 26 frames. Here we can see a clear advantage conferred by DDR SDRAM memory compared to conventional SDRAM.

Linux Kernel Compilation

Compiling a Linux kernel reveals hardly any differences between the individual boards and the reference values of the Intel 815. Many boards with DDR SDRAM are still in the lead, though.

Conclusion – Marginal Advantages to Using DDR SDRAM

This test of 10 boards with Apollo Pro 266 chipsets has proven that for your day-to-day business, using DDR SDRAM memory with the Pentium III doesn’t offer any discernible advantages over using SDRAM memory (in combination with the Intel 815). Since Intel still only offers its own 815 chipsets for use with the Pentium III, the Apollo Pro 266 is a viable alternative.

Whoever wants to avail themselves of an appropriate board from this test series should select one of the combination boards. In this way, there is no need to purchase expensive DDR SDRAM memory. After all, you’ve got to spend $60 or more (especially for CL2) for a 128 MB DDR SDRAM module, whereas an SDRAM module only costs $30. In this case, the Shuttle AV32 is worth consideration. With all of its features and its combination interface, we heartily recommend this board.

At this juncture, we would like to mention that switching to a board with an Apollo Pro 266 chipset is only worth your while if you are really planning on using the new features, e.g. 6x USB or AGP 4x. Many users still have a board with an Intel 440BX chipset. Upgrading is really only useful if you are upgrading your CPU (e.g. to one with 133 MHz FSB) at the same time.

A Closer Look at the Boards’ Components

A Closer Look at the Boards’ Components, Continued