Asus A7M266-D Duallie! – 4182 days old

[ImaginAsian]

Based on AMD-760MPX (AMD-762 North Bridge and AMD-768 South Bridge)

Supports Dual Socket A for AMD Athlon MP/Duron MP 1.0GHz – 1.6 GHz+

Supports 4 Registered PC2100/PC1600 DDR DIMMs up to 4GB
3 32bit/33MHz PCI slots, 2 64bit/32bit 66MHz/33MHz PCI slots, an AGP Pro slot, 4 USB ports, an integrated C-media CMI8738 sound controller, ASUS iPanel support.

ASUS C.O.P. (CPU Overheating Protection) technology

Allows changing the CPU clock frequency multiplier, the FSB frequency with 1MHz increments and Vio and Vcore


Hmm...GB or Asus...its gonna be fun!!! Slap two Duron's on this baby and you got yourself a bang for the buck extravaganza!

[Alakazam]

This courtesy of xbitlabs

Our sources close to ASUS dropped us the complete specification of their first dual-Socket A mainboard: ASUS A7M266-D. We should point out that ASUS A7M266-D deserves being called one of the most impatiently awaited products based on AMD-760MPX, made of AMD-762 North Bridge and AMD-768 South Bridge. ASUS A7M266-D boasts several advantages over the similar competing products.

Firstly, this mainboard doesn’t require only Registered DIMM modules to be used. It can officially work with the regular memory as well. The specification says that A7M266-D supports 4 Registered PC2100/PC1600 DDR DIMMs with the size of up to 4GB or two regular unbuffered PC2100/PC1600 DDR DIMMs with the total size of up to 2GB with or without ECC.
Secondly, dual-Socket A mainboard from ASUS doesn’t require any special power supply units. A7M266-D can work with the regular ATX PSUs, according to the specs.

Thirdly, ASUS provided its mainboard with the special ASUS C.O.P. (CPU Overheating Protection) technology, which allows controlling the die temperature for both CPUs taken by the thermal diodes integrated into Athlon MP processors. In case the temperature of one of the processors exceeds the allowed maximum, ASUS C.O.P. shuts down the system automatically thus preventing the CPU from getting burnt.

The forth advantage of this mainboard is the functions for extreme CPU overclocking. ASUS A7M266-D allows changing the CPU clock frequency multiplier, the FSB frequency with 1MHz increments and Vio and Vcore.

Now a few words about the mainboard basis specifications. ASUS A7M266-D is based on AMD-760MPX chipset, supports two Socket462 AMD processors and features 4 DIMM slots for DDR memory. Besides, there are 3 32bit/33MHz PCI slots, 2 64bit/32bit 66MHz/33MHz PCI slots, an AGP Pro slot, 4 USB ports, an integrated C-media CMI8738 sound controller, ASUS iPanel support.The mainboard should start shipping in the end of December. Though one of the mainboard manufacturers told us that AMD is still having some problems with its AMD-768 South Bridge, so the beginning of mass shipments of AMD-760MPX based solutions may turn out a little bit delayed.

Here is this baby:

[ImaginAsian]

I dig the dual 6-phase Mosfet Power for both CPUs and how the ATX Power Connector is right in there with them at the top of the case. Makes for stronger signals...this is the RIGHT WAY TO DO IT!

[Darksword]

Durons my butt! I'd slap on two XP's on that badboy.

Shoot...no weak ass Durons are ever goin' in my rigs!

[catcorpse]

uuuggggggg:

to many decisions. IT will all depend what they can do with the board that will be the final straw is to see how all these boards stack up in real world. Durons, hope not, but hopefully I can get my grubby hands on 2 XP1800mp.

[frombadtraverse]

Don't you have to buy the MP versions or is there a way of unlocking the XP's?

[Darksword]

Yes, the XP's can be unlocked by connecting the bridges, although it is a bit more time-consuming than on the regular Thunderbird cpus.

[frombadtraverse]

You have a link handy?

[Alakazam]

Lotsa sites have done a piece on the bridges, here are a couple for ya

http://www.chillblast.com/guides/XPmult.htm

http://www.overclockers.com/tips702/

[catcorpse]

pricewatch.......$244.00
http://www.pcprogress.com



this is what Asus had to say

ASUS Ships A7M266-D Dual Socket A Motherboard with AMD 760-MPXTM Chipset

Taipei, Taiwan, December 12, 2001 - The world's leading motherboard manufacturer, ASUS, today announced the release of the A7M266-D socket A motherboard with dual Athlon MP processor support. The A7M266-D incorporates the AMD-760TM MPX chipset and supports up to two AthlonTM MP processors, flexible DDR (double data rate) memory configurations, 64-bit PCI slots and more. Using a standard ATX form-factor and power supply, the A7M266-D is an exceptionally adaptable platform tailored for high-performance PCs, workstations and entry-level servers.

Leveraging the advanced AMD-760TM MPX chipset architecture, the A7M266-D motherboard delivers enhanced performance and reliability with support of up to two AthlonTM MP processors. Power demanding functions such as multimedia and server applications benefit from the extra performance offered by having two processors on board.

"Asus continues to be a great AMD partner, providing worldwide availability of a variety of motherboards supporting AMD processor-based platforms," said Rich Heye, vice president, Platform Engineering and Infrastructure for AMD's Computation Products Group. "The Asus A7M266-D featuring the AMD-760TM MPX chipset is an exceptional product for servers and workstations, and helps extend AMD's reach into the commercial market."

The A7M266-D supports up to 4GB (4 DIMMs) of registered or 2GB (2 DIMMs) of un-buffered PC2100 / PC1600 ECC / non-ECC DDR DIMM. Registered DDR SDRAM provides increased data integrity and reliability necessary for server applications, while un-buffered DDR SDRAM delivers cost-effective performance adequate for most regular system applications. The A7M266-D's flexible DDR memory support enables versatile functionality across a range of systems from high-performance PCs, workstations, and entry-level servers.

Engineered for optimum compatibility, the A7M266-D uses a standard ATX form-factor design for easy installation with a large range of cases. The efficient design of the A7M266-D also enables the use of a standard ATX power supply, eliminating the need of upgrading to costlier higher-power or server power supplies. Additionally, two backwards compatible 64-bit PCI slots are included to deliver up to four times more bandwidth than conventional 32-bit PCI slots.

The A7M266-D incorporates special features to protect the condition of your valuable CPU and motherboard. ASUS COP (CPU Overheating Protection) is a hardware protection circuit that automatically shuts down the system power before temperatures are high enough to permanently damage your CPU. The temperature is directly monitored from the thermal diode on AMD AthlonTM MP and AthlonTM XP processors, providing more accurate readings in real-time. Also included is an onboard warning light that prevents users from installing incompatible AGP cards (i.e. 3.3 V) which may permanently damage the motherboard.

Key Features:


Supports up to 2 socket A AMD AthlonTM MP processors or single socket A AMD processors.
200/266MHz Front-Side-Bus (FSB)
AMD-760TM MPX Chipset: AMD 762 north bridge, AMD 768 south bridge
Supports up to 4GB registered (4 DIMMs) or 2GB (2 DIMMs) un-buffered PC2100 / PC1600 ECC / non-ECC DDR DIMM
2 x Ultra-DMA 33/66/100
AGP Pro slot with AGP4X support
2 x PCI 66/33-MHz 64/32-bit slots, 3 x PCI 33-MHz 32-bit slots
C-Media CMI8738 6-Channel audio controller
WFM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL, WOR, Chassis Intrusion, SM Bus
ASUS PC ProbeTM system health monitoring software

The ASUS A7M266-D is shipping in quantities now.

[frombadtraverse]

I want that board! But I have read posts that throw into question what processor you can use. Go over to:

http://www.2cpu.com/

then go to archives and go to December 13, 2001. I know it's hard but my links didn't work.

[AmStoned]

Now this mobo I like. Has FSB user adjustable OCing, but no vCore voltage. However it does have sensors that utilizes XP/MP's integrated thermal diode. Anyway, just check out the review from GamePC.

[catcorpse]

You beat me to it. I did like how they were able to OC dual athlons at a stable 1.75 Ghz OOOWWWWW I do like this one also, but I don't know if I can sneak this one in.

[ImaginAsian]

Man what's with plugging the socket holes so the Bad Mofo Alpha can't be used

[AmStoned]

Cats: This board is awesome. Dual XP 2000+ OC!!!

IA: There are still holes around the two sockets for Alpha! What were you looking at that gave you the impression that there isn't?

[ImaginAsian]

on Page 2...

If you look closely at the CPU sockets, you'll notice that the four standard holes around the socket are filled in, meaning you cannot install any cooler on this motherboard that uses the 4-pin approach for mounting. Even if the holes had been opened, there isn't that much room around the CPU core for oversized Athlon coolers

[AmStoned]

You're right, just looked at a larger pic of the board and area around sockets has number of misplaced capacitors. Weak. Well, just have to wait for somebody to come up with a board that better placement design as well as Abit style OCing options.

[catcorpse]

that's ok with no holes, I guess I will just need dual vapor chill.
I do think this is the one, holes or not. There are some great sinks that will get the job done, dual 2000+....



edit sorry the drool shorted out my keyboard edit

[frombadtraverse]

GamePC has a review here;

http://www.gamepc.com/reviews/hardwa...1&mscssid=&tp=

and you guys are right about the USB problem.

[catcorpse]

the Asus board now is the first MPX board to win approval from AMD:} t-break has the artice about it.