DFI 855GME-MGF
As we mentioned above the Pentium M is no longer restricted to laptops. Micro ATX motherboards are now available for desktops and there are two models:
- AOpen i855GMEm-FLS
- DFI 855GME-MGF
Recently Intel also announced the release of the SL-855GEI-FDGR. It’s not currently in shops unlike the DFI and Aopen. It is difficult however, though not impossible, to find these motherboards. Everything that is rare is expensive and when you do find them the price is approximately $270 (EU 250€). This is quite high, but as there are no other options what can we do.
We chose the DFI motherboard for this test (the most widespread product in France). The chipset like other boards is a i855GME and has the following specifications:
- Pentium M / Celeron M FSB400
- AGP 4x graphic bus
- DDR-SDRAM PC1600, 2100, 2700
These specifications aren’t extraordinary. We are optimistic though in thinking that the FSB400 is only the official specification and that with overclocking it’s possible to reach higher performances. The AGP 4’s bandwidth is enough for all graphic cards currently on the market. Also, if the only DDR333 (PC2700) memory is supported in FSB400 when the FSB is increased, it’s also possible to reach higher performances. The lack of dual channel memory isn’t a big problem as the processor isn’t able to use such a bandwidth. There is also an integrated graphic component, but we will only use it for 2D as its improvements in 3D are minimal.
For the Southbridge, DFI decided not to use a standard ICH4 but rather a 6300ESB. Intended initially for servers, this Southbridge supports two Serial ATA ports (unlike the ICH4) that can be configured as RAID 1/0, two ATA-100, the PCI 2.2 and the PCI-X 1.0. Yes, a PCI-X! This function will only interest a minority of motherboard owners. It’s just unfortuneate that it severely restricts the possibility for motherboard extension.
Using a cooling system other than the single slot for the graphic card blocks the first PCI slot. In fact, even with a smaller cooling system the cards are close and we don’t advise you to use the PCI slot next to the AGP one if it’s occupied. So as the next slot is the PCI-X, only the last PCI slot is available for an extension board.
This isn’t such a big deal, though, as the motherboard already offers many capabilities:
- 1 VIA VT6307, PCI bus, supports two ports FireWire 400
- 1 Realtek RTL8110S-32, PCI bus, supports one Gigabit network
- 1 Realtek ALC655, the codec AC’97 supports 5.1 sound via analogical S/P-DIF outputs.
If you want better sound, with an Audigy for example, and Tuner TV board, it’s not really possible. We would have preferred if DFI didn’t offer the PCI-X and included three real PCI slots, two of which would be really usable. On the back of the motherboard there are the following outputs:
- 1 PS/2 mouse port
- 1 PS/2 keyboard port
- 1 parallel port
- 1 port COM
- 1 port VGA
- 1 port IEEE 1394
- 1 port RJ45LAN
- 4 ports USB2.0/1.1
- Mic-in, line-in, line out (it is possible to reconfigure it to have 3 outputs)
These inputs/outputs may be extended via internal ports connecting them to brackets or cases with the right inputs/outputs (not provided). This is true for the audio output, micro input, firewire port (for the front of the tower case) or a second COM port. The number of USB ports is, however, restricted to 4, and so no additional USB ports on the front of the tower case will be available.
The other problem with large graphic cards such as the GeForce FX 5700 Ultra, 5900, 5950 or the 6800/GT/Ultra is that the graphic card PCB ends just between the two serial ATA ports. It isn’t a problem though … except for the 6800 Ultra. This graphic card has a Molex connector in the back of the PCB just right of the SATA1. It’s therefore impossible to entirely plug in the graphic card and use the Molex connector if the SATA is already utilized.
