AOpen AK73 Pro SocketA
Motherboard
Its been a couple of busy months
in the lab recently. We've reviewed a handful of KT133 boards while also throwing
in an Apollo Pro based board from AOpen. In the KT133 camp we reviewed the
Azza
KT133BX and the AOpen
AK33 as well as the Soyo
K7VTA. I was very impressed with the stability and features of AOpen's
AK33 but disappointed by its lack of multiplier adjustments. AOpen has again
stepped up to the plate. This time they sent the AK73 Pro motherboard and
I think you will be happy with the improvement that the AK73 is over the AK33.
|
Features |
The
Board |
- Socket A AMD
CPU support
- VIA KT133
- Award System
BIOS
- ATA-100 Support
- Onboard AC97
2.1 sound
- 1 AGP, 5 PCI,
1 AMR
- 4 USB ports
- 3 Dimm slots
- 3D PCI sound
on board
- 305mm x 244mm
- Enlarged 24K
Gold Plated Heatsink for Chipset
- Overclocking
Friendly
|
|
First
Impressions
True to form the AK73 comes packed
in a box with a window just like the AK33. What was once a neat box is now
really cool thanks to the gold plated chipset heatsink. Did I say gold plated?
I have to say that 24k gold is about the best finish I've ever seen on a chipset.
Does gold really help dissipate heat better? I wouldn't think so since it
is only gold plate and not solid. Nice look though.
The board once again is housed
in a plastic tray instead of bubble wrap. That's a good safety measure to
ensure your board doesn't arrive in pieces. Inside
the tray you will also find some of the best documentation I've seen. Not
only does AOpen include the normal manual (which is very complete) - they
also throw in a quick start-up guide that folds out like a map. You can follow
the guide to make sure you make your connections properly and be up and running
in just minutes. Also in the box are the
ATA-100 80 pin ribbon cable, a normal 40 pin ribbon cable, and the floppy
ribbon. ATA 100? You heard right again. AOpen also includes Norton Antivirus
5 and Antivirus 2000 with each motherboard. Antivirus 5 can be found on the
disk which includes the drivers for the board and Antivirus 2000 came on its
own CD.
One thing that stands out immediately
is that AOpen has included the extra 2 USB ports that take up an expansion
slot. I like having 4 USB ports on a machine and not requiring the use of
a hub to get all my components hooked up. Little touches like that go a long
way towards making up a purchase decision.
