Azza DIBX4 Twin Architecture Motherboard
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Features
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The
Board
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- Intel BX AGP
chipset
- AWARD System
BIOS
- supports Intel
Pentium III/II and Celeron processors
- supports 66/100
MHz System Bus
- ISAx1, PCIx4,
AGPx1, DIMMx3
- Four IDE ports
on board. (Ultra DMA/66x2, Ultra DMA/33x2)
- Hardware Monitoring
(optional) includes ACPI functions, WOL connector, USB ports, SB-LINK
- 4 layers PCB,
305mm x 180mm (ATX Form Factor)
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Pro Team Computer Corp. is the manufacturer of
AZZA main-boards. Incorporated in 1989, Pro Team Computer Corp. started by
providing design and testing services to other large main-board manufacturers
and has, in the process, developed a core competency in the research and development
of main-boards. Being an outwardly focused and customer-driven company, Pro
Team Computer Corp. is now focusing on its ability to create a differentiated
main-board with enhanced features that give greater value to customers.
The BX chipset was the first platform that officially
supported the 100MHz FSB. When it was introduced in 1998 it was considered
the top solution in the chip-set arena. Not so long ago, we officially touched
the official 133MHz FSB world with Intel’s latest Pentiun III CPU’s (B, EB).
As the BX platform was never meant to run at Speeds beyond 100MHz a new improved
chip-set was needed. Or that was what was claimed by Intel anyway. Of course
the chip giant (Intel) was already working on a solution. They were also closely
working with RAMBUS.inc to adopt RAMBUS memory in their upcoming chip-sets,
which was claimed to tremendously boost performance compared to SDRAM.
Intel’s latest chip (i820) CAMINO never saw any
big success and a simple explanation is available: high memory prices (rambus).
The i820 is an interesting performer when running with the fastest RAMBUS
memory (PC800) and only with RAMBUS PC-800. Taking a look at the present,
there are a few official chips that support the 133MHz FSB. First is the i810e
by Intel, unfortunately this chip was targeted for the low cost market as
it already comes with an integrated low cost video card, which won’t do the
job for the demanding 3D person.
The second 133MHz candidate is VIA’S latest Apollo
Pro 133A Chip, which practically features everything the i820 has to offer,
the single interesting difference is the use of SDRAM PC-133 memory in place
of the High Priced Rambus Memory. The Apollo 133A chip-set is considered today
as being the wise 133MHz Solution money can buy. A board featured with the
chip is priced somewhat lower than an i820 motherboard. Intel also managed
to create a version of the i820 chip-set running on PC-133 SDRAM, unfortunately
this didn’t end up being a successor in any way since the performance ended
up being close to horrible in many cases.
Not too long ago, Tom’s Hardware Guide posted
the second edition of "The Giga-Battle" article. By taking a closer
look at the numbers, we can see the BX chip-set won most of the competition,
and in most cases left it’s younger brother (i820) w/PC-800 RAMBUS behind,
actually way behind. Yes, this means that the BX chip is still a very attractive
candidate running at 133MHz FSB. In fact, the BX chip even leads when compared
to the VIA APPOLLO 133A PRO platform.
BX is here to stay, for now anyway. Several companies,
after analyzing the current CPU and chipset status, got the bright idea on
improving their BX based products to meet some of today’s needs. A good example
is the implantation of an ATA/66 controller onboard. All of this can be done
without making the production costs too high. Azza has a good example of this
with their DIB4X motherboard.
