Written: 9/26/2000
Written by: MotoŽ
Manufactured by: Asus

The A7V is based on VIA KT133 chipset in ATX form factor for the latest support in AMD Thunderbird and Duron CPU from 550MHz ~ 1GHz processors. The AV7 is Asus's first Socket A motherboard  to incorporate 200MHz FSB and 1.5GB PC133 / PC100 / VCM133 SDRAM capability in the x86 platforms. Other features includes support for Stepless Frequency Selection, a new technology which allows CPU frequency setting to be set in 1MHz-increments and also Ultra-Fast DMA/100 data transfer, and AGP Pro/4X, etc. Additional upgrades includes support for up to 7 USB ports and Promise PCI-ATA100 controller for Ultra DMA/100 support.

The VIA KT133 architecture is based on an innovative and scalable architecture with proven reliability and performance. It's a two-chip set solution consisting of VT8363 North Bridge and VT82C686A South Bridge controllers. Additional key support features include multiple USB Ports, Audio/Modem Riser, and PC Health Monitoring.

Currently there are two version of the A7V. One with on board sound and one without. If you're going to get this motherboard, make sure you get the one without on board sound.  The reason for this is the unit with on board sound is missing DIP switches to set FSB and CPU multiplier. What's the deal about that? Don't most motherboard do those settings in BIOS? Well, yes and no. Most Intel CPU motherboards let you set FSB and multiplier in BIOS, but the Asus A7V (and other Athlon motherboards) only allows FSB in BIOS, not multiplier settings. 

Having the ability to adjust multiplier settings is important, because the KT133 chipset is not very stable beyond 110Mhz (even though it has FSB up to 145Mhz). Unlike Intel CPUs, AMD T Birds and Durons can have their multipliers unlocked. Once unlocked we're free to leave the bus speed at the stock speed and crank up the multiplier setting all the way to 12.5X if the CPU can handle it.

Next page: The Specs

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