Exclusive Review ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 INtel p31

[bluetooth]

ASRock makes another first with its 4Core1333-eSATA2. This is probably the first time that we see ASRock making a entry level board with a recently announced chipset, the Intel P31.

ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 is based on the P31/G31+ICH7R chipset. Unlike its brothers that are based on 945GC chipset, supports the full range of Intel processors, they include LGA 775 for Intel® Core™ 2 Quad / Core™ 2 Extreme / Core™ 2 Duo / Pentium® XE / Pentium® D / Pentium® Dual Core / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® / Celeron® D, supporting Quad Core Kentsfield processors.

As we mentioned previously, this Intel P31 board runs faster than a P35. How much faster can it run? Will it be more successful than the P35 chipset? Read the review to find out.

Read review http://www.ocworkbench.com/2007/asro...-esata2/g1.htm

[kem]

Cons

* Overclocking options
* No eSATA (through a internal connector and a SATAII cable)
* No 1394 ???????? (1 x IEEE 1394 header + 1 x IEEE 1394 Port)
* 2 DIMM slots ?????? (4 x DDRII DIMM slots supports DDRII800/667/533)

[metai]

Hi there, Freddy here, long time reader, first time poster.

Ever since I found the ASRock 939Dual-SATAII hidden in the hardware list of my vendor, I have been using your site as reference. It has always been very helpful, especially when it comes to ASRock boards. And so, I was really looking forward to your ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 review.

Which, correct me if I'm wrong, turned out to be nothing more than a hardware specification sheet and a comparison of P31 and P35 chipsets running on stock speed. It especially falls short in regards of your site's name: Overclocking capabilities aren't touched at all. And as kem already pointed out, the conclusion contains wrong information.

What are the chances that this review will be updated with an in-depth view on the board's capabilities when it comes to overclocking a smaller processor ... rather than just testing it on stock speed with a high-end processor? You seem to be the very first site to even get your hands on that board ... and you really dropped the ball here.

Cheers and thanks for any reaction
Freddy

[bluetooth]

OC doesn't mean Overclocking.
We did cover the o/c aspect. It cannot go beyond 333MHz. (that was using a e6300).

Secondly, we don't use different processors as we need to standardise the comparison platform.

The cons page has been updated.

[metai]

Originally Posted by bluetooth

OC doesn't mean Overclocking.

Oh, I was under that misconception for years. ;)

We did cover the o/c aspect. It cannot go beyond 333MHz. (that was using a e6300).

I seem to remember previous reviews going much more in-depth as far as different BIOS settings etc. go. But I may mix that up with all the forum postings regarding this topic. Is it really sufficient for Intel 755 boards just to check and take down how far the FSB will go?

Fair enough. No offense meant.


Edit: I also seem to be disappointed by how little buzz this board makes in here. But, again, this may also only be my conception.

[bluetooth]

Errors do occur in typo as we use a template for the reviews.
Anyway, this board is very new, that is why there isn't much discussions here on this board.

I would suggest we wait for a newer bios to see if this board can do better in o/c.

[Tweakurr]

Boy caught me by surprise BT. What does OC stand for anyway?

[Eddie666]

just few questions about this board.

1) so it's no possibile to set the fsb to 400?
2) what about chamging vcore ?
3) will support the new 45mm cpu?

thanks a lot