If I had review the CUV4X a month ago, it would have score
higher. However, since that time, Abit has released the BX133-RAID which has
became my favorite socket 370 motherboard, especially for Celeron IIs. Given a
choice between the two, I would chose the BX133-RAID over the Asus CUV4X. This
is not to say the CUV4X is a bad board, far from it. The Asus CUV4X is one for
the best motherboards on the market.
If you have a Celeron CPU then I would recommend the
Abit BX133-RAID over a CUV4X. For a few dollars more you get ATA100 support
and built in RAID. Since Celeron CPUs are still based on the 66Mhz bus, both the
BX133-RAID and CUV4X can take full advantage of it.
If you have a Flip Chip Pentium III, then the decision becomes
more difficult. The Via chipset offers more compelling features over the BX
chipset. The main one being the 1/2 AGP divider. This allows you to use all the
bus speeds that CUV4X offers, which you will need for CPUs like that 550E. The
Abit BX133-RAID really can't be use with bus speed higher than 140Mhz, because
its AGP divider is limited to 2/3. Most AGP video cards won't with a 140Mhz buss
and 2/3 AGP divider.
There really isn't much to dislike about this ASUS motherboard.
The only improvement I can think of would be better placement of the power
supply connector. Asus has always priced their boards higher than the
competition and the CUV4X continues that tradition. The extra cost may be worth
it however. There really isn't another socket 370 motherboard out there with
such a complete feature set.
If you're in the market for a new socket 370 motherboard, take
a good look at the Asus CUV4X. This board has nearly everything one could want
with the one minor gripe being the placement of the power supply connector. With
its large selection of bus speeds, 1/2 AGP divider and ability to make maximum
use of your RAM, the CUV3X will take your Celeron II or Flip Chip P3 as fast it
wants to go.
The Goods
The Bads
Rating:
8.5/10
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