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AOpen i975Xa-YDG: Closer Look
So, the AOpen i975Xa-YDG Socket 479 mainboard designed for Core Duo and Core Solo mobile processors is based on the top-of-the-line i975X desktop chipset. Intel designed this solution for a totally different application field. In fact, this chipset was initially intended for LGA 775 mainboards supporting Pentium 4 and Pentium D processors. However we shouldn’t forget that CPUs with NetBurst architecture and contemporary mobile Intel CPUs use the same front side bus aka Quad Pumped Bus. This is exactly why it becomes possible to create hybrid solutions like our today’s testing participant that supports mobile processors but is actually based on a desktop core logic set. However, I didn’t at all mean to diminish the engineering achievements of the AOpen guys, especially since AOpen i975Xa-YDG mainboard has been designed from scratch, because Intel certainly doesn’t offer any reference circuitry designs that could help the developers of solutions like that. So, AOpen i975Xa-YDG is a truly unique product.
The table below contains the main technical specs for AOpen i975Xa-YDG mainboard:
AOpen i975Xa-YDG | |
CPUs | Intel Core Duo/Core Solo for Socket 479 |
Chipset | Intel 975X (i975X + ICH7) |
FSB frequency | 133-320MHz (with 1MHz increment) |
Overclocking-friendly functions | Adjustable processor Vcore, Vmem, North Bridge voltage |
Memory | 4 DDR2 DIMM slots for dual-channel |
PCI Express slots | 2 x PCI Express x16 |
PCI expansion slots | 2 |
USB 2.0 ports | 8 (4 – on the rear panel) |
IEEE1394 ports | 2 (1 – on the rear panel, via the TI 1394a controller) |
ATA-100/133 | 1 ATA-100 channel (in the chipset) |
Serial ATA | 2 Serial ATA-150 channels |
ATA RAID support | RAID 0, 1, Matrix Storage in the chipset |
Integrated sound | 8-channel HD codec: Realtek ALC880 |
Integrated network | Gigabit Ethernet controller: Marvell 88E8053 |
Additional features | None |
BIOS | Phoenix-AwardBIOS v6.00PG |
Form-factor | ATX, 305mm x 244mm |
Although AOpen i975Xa-YDG mainboard is equipped with a Socket 479, it is compatible with far not all processors featuring this type of packaging. Only the latest 65nm Core Duo and Core Solo CPUs can work in this board, while the older Pentium M solutions will be incompatible. The issue lies with Intel’s decision to deprive these processors of their pin-to-pin compatibility, so AOpen engineers couldn’t really do much about it. However, we can confirm with all certainty that these mainboards will be compatible with the upcoming Core processors also known as Merom. AOpen i975Xa-YDG will definitely support these processors and all you will have to do to ensure that is to update the BIOS.
